This is kinda complicated. I am doing a layout that my kids will enjoy. And I'm doing it with them. A boy and a girl.
For my daughter, I have a horse farm I want to do along with a princess castle. I think those could be treated like industries.
My son wants atleast one wood scene and a subway. He's more into passenger cars and steam engines than anything else. He also wants the engines to go up and down some hills. I am cosnidering a third mainline to deal with that request.
Of course, we need a yard.
I have a large room I plan on doing this in over time. Unused living room. And I want to do it modular so we can take it down when not in regular use. The room is large, like 18x11. I want to take up the center of the room and not go wall to wall. So I was thinking about doing a U shaped layout with a 3'x3' turnaround section at each end. Then make 2'x4', 2'x6' and 2'x6' sections for each scene. I'm thinking 2 mainlines. For now with 18" min radius on the inner and 20" on the outer. He really wants a big boy so I am trying to make the radiuses such that it will work.
I'm not sure if I would divide the scenery for northbound/southbound traffic with a divider (4'x2' scene with wood divider (skyline) and another 4'x2' scene on the other side of the divider). Or if they would be common to one scene.
I have to start doing the benchwork in 1-2 weeks to give as his birthday present at the end of the month.
Using a Digitrax Zephyr to start. Want to locate it near the yard. For x-mas Santa might bring my son a handheld, wired throttle to go with it.
Given the requests for "stuff" how big of a layout is needed? I was thinking that I should do a yard on a 2'x6' board. subway station on 2'x'4'. Farm on 2'x'4'. Princess castle/woods on 2'x'4. A few scattered train stations.
There is no era planned but I am thinking 1930s for scenery. But trains will be a mix from all eras.
Sorry if I said too much. I'll sketch something up later today for what I was thinking.
Any input that could be priovided is greatly appreciated.
UPDATE: I guess an I shaped layout makes more sense.
For my daughter, I have a horse farm I want to do along with a princess castle. I think those could be treated like industries.
My son wants atleast one wood scene and a subway. He's more into passenger cars and steam engines than anything else. He also wants the engines to go up and down some hills. I am cosnidering a third mainline to deal with that request.
Of course, we need a yard.
I have a large room I plan on doing this in over time. Unused living room. And I want to do it modular so we can take it down when not in regular use. The room is large, like 18x11. I want to take up the center of the room and not go wall to wall. So I was thinking about doing a U shaped layout with a 3'x3' turnaround section at each end. Then make 2'x4', 2'x6' and 2'x6' sections for each scene. I'm thinking 2 mainlines. For now with 18" min radius on the inner and 20" on the outer. He really wants a big boy so I am trying to make the radiuses such that it will work.
I'm not sure if I would divide the scenery for northbound/southbound traffic with a divider (4'x2' scene with wood divider (skyline) and another 4'x2' scene on the other side of the divider). Or if they would be common to one scene.
I have to start doing the benchwork in 1-2 weeks to give as his birthday present at the end of the month.
Using a Digitrax Zephyr to start. Want to locate it near the yard. For x-mas Santa might bring my son a handheld, wired throttle to go with it.
Given the requests for "stuff" how big of a layout is needed? I was thinking that I should do a yard on a 2'x6' board. subway station on 2'x'4'. Farm on 2'x'4'. Princess castle/woods on 2'x'4. A few scattered train stations.
There is no era planned but I am thinking 1930s for scenery. But trains will be a mix from all eras.
Sorry if I said too much. I'll sketch something up later today for what I was thinking.
Any input that could be priovided is greatly appreciated.
UPDATE: I guess an I shaped layout makes more sense.
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Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.