New Layout for LASM

[logandsawman]

Here is a rough sketch of the area:

 

[montanan]

You could possibly run the tracks through the closet along the wall to the left. Probably wouldn't take up much space in the closet either

 

[Hawkesburytrain]

Here's a weird thought:

Have a half lift ending in the each closet once the doors are open

View attachment 52516

In the middle of the 2 closet, make a hole and build a small shelf to put a 9" track through and through
Build lift outs on each layout that would come down in the closet once open
That way, when ever you really really want to run on both layouts, just open the closet doors, flip down the lift out and there you go.

Just one of those weird thoughts.

 

[wombat457]

LASM,

I may be on the outer here but I think having two separate layouts is the way to go. Here is my thinking: Your first layout is you and what you wanted from your layout when you built it, now perhaps, it is time for something a little different from what you have previously done, a fresh start and new thought process. Only way to achieve that is by having a completely new layout that is disassociated from the first.

Your new layout gives you the option of recreating things the way you want them now, today, and not have to think about "blending" the new with the old, so to speak.

If it were me, and I was happy with my first layout, I'd start afresh with new ideas, a new era (perhaps) and a new scheme.

 

[RBMNfan]

Kinda how I built my latest layout while my old layout was still in use. I totally went different era and scale. If I had the space I could see having multiple layouts. Especially if your interests are in different countries.

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[logandsawman]

THANKS for the input guys, I shot some photos of the space this morning so you can better visualize what I am working with.

THERE is room to attach the layouts along the wall side of the closets, but I am leaning towards keeping them separate for several reasons.


Here is a view of the existing layout and the closet that divides the rooms. There are actually two closets back to back.


Here is the empty room and where the joining track would go through. It would work to follow the wall closely.




Here is the north end of the new area. The room is 9.5' wide here.



Here is the opposite end. The room is 12' wide here and 18' long.




I think I will make the layout the entire length (18') but have to do something about the width. Thinking I will make it just wide enough by the bathroom to use that door and have a lift out on each long side. There is an entrance not shown on the opposing long side. That goes up a short stairs and outside.

 

[montanan]

So much for my plan. With the door frame right up against the wall, that won't work.

 

[logandsawman]

CHET--I guess there will be a couple studs at each corner.

Want to let you guys know I will be "off line" for a few days as I have an out of town workshop and NO EMAIL. Hope to be back on line Monday.

 

[Bruette]

CHET--I guess there will be a couple studs at each corner.

Want to let you guys know I will be "off line" for a few days as I have an out of town workshop and NO EMAIL. Hope to be back on line Monday.

Have a safe and an enjoyable trip, thanks for keeping us posted!

 

[logandsawman]

Here is a preliminary track plan for the above room, there is about 9 x 17' of usable space in here. Can someone suggest how I can take train "off the layout" into a hidden behind area other than using a tunnel?





My objective is to have a few locations for activity as well as a loop of continuous running. There will be an industrial area with some background industries and a couple out front, as well as some free standing maintenance buildings. The feature area along the long wall will be agricultural with some fields and rolling hills as a backdrop.

This layout is going to be a lot about blending the foreground into the backdrop and having several photo worthy areas for different scenes, transition era layout.

 

[montanan]

Where is the closet in relation to this plan ?

 

[logandsawman]

It is oriented in each diagram the same way--closet at the top:



There is a gap so the closet and bathroom are accessible.

The red lines are for drop downs/lift outs

 

[montanan]

Is it possible to build a shelf along the wall along the closets by the drop down section and connect it to your existing layout ??

 

[logandsawman]

Where there is a will there is a way--although I want to keep the layout separate because this is DC wiring and I don't plan on purchasing the walk around controller.

There is a door in the hallway between the furnace room and closets. This could be removed but it is going to be too difficult to operate the whole area with the controller and I just don't think I am going to gain that much by connecting the layouts. I am more interested in building the layout and taking pictures than operating the trains, at least for now.

I am going to get a new 2 cab controller like the other one so I can do some interesting stuff with my DC locomotives, using some simple blocks and the dpdt switches like on the other layout.

 

[DairyStateDad]

. Can someone suggest how I can take train "off the layout" into a hidden behind area other than using a tunnel?

Which portion of the plan would you put that hidden area in (left, right, top or bottom)? For an urban section, you could start the hidden track behind a bunch of buildings. If it's in a rural area, you could do a tunnel but conceal the entrance behind a stand of trees.

 

[RBMNfan]

A hill and a curve will conceal the track. A tall building can also be a view block. A highway overpass can hide an exit through the backdrop.

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[wombat457]

That is a nice looking plan LASM. So far as "hiding a train" I would go with the idea of having another single piece of track from the "top drop down" across to the right, following the wall (if you have the room). You could put in a row of buildings between the main track and the "off layout track"???

 

[Bruette]

Where there is a will there is a way--although I want to keep the layout separate because this is DC wiring and I don't plan on purchasing the walk around controller.

There is a door in the hallway between the furnace room and closets. This could be removed but it is going to be too difficult to operate the whole area with the controller and I just don't think I am going to gain that much by connecting the layouts. I am more interested in building the layout and taking pictures than operating the trains, at least for now.

I am going to get a new 2 cab controller like the other one so I can do some interesting stuff with my DC locomotives, using some simple blocks and the dpdt switches like on the other layout.

I agree with you David, I think it would be a lot of work on something that won't provide that much fun in return. Knowing you and how much you enjoy working on the layout itself I think your time would be best spent on that.

On the other hand not many can get so much done in as little time like you can. You epitomize my former mantra "It does not take a good man all day to do a days work" I can't live up to that standard any more but it is great to see you do it!

Ok I am no help at all I'll just wait and see what you do and as always I will enjoy watching.

 

[montanan]

You do have a bit of a problem. As much as you may not want to get another controller, it could open up a new chapter. Years back I used to use a PFM sound system which I really liked, but it got to be a pain walking into it all the time as the only place I could mount it was on the front of the layout. I ran across this GML walk around throttle which has served me extremely well for many years. My layout is all in one room, but rather spread out. The things I like about it is that it has excellent control being solid state and that it has memory. I can have a train running and unplug the controller and walk to the other end of the layout and plug in the nice fat phono plug into a remote plug. These plugs are extremely easy to install. Three wires. I also have a second throttle, like you which I use for the yard at Gallatin Junction or the main line, using DPDT switches like you. It also has a resettable circuit breaker which is nice.



I also really enjoy working on the layout and taking photos, but also enjoy operations, especially since I finally got my last town and yard built. Your existing layout has a lot of interesting industries and with the new addition, you could have destinations for the products from the first layout.

One thing I did when planning my layout was to have as many industries interact with others on the layout. This generates a lot of traffic withing the layout. I have a log loading deck that ships logs to a mill which in turn ships finished lumber to a furniture factory and a lumber retailer on the layout, as well as to points beyond the layout. A number of grain elevators ship grain to a flout mill on the layout which in turn has outbound shipments. I have cattle pens which ship cattle to a meat packing plant. I believe you do also.

Who knows, when you get the addition up and working, you may find that you may really enjoy operations. It took me over 25 years to get to the point where I am but the layout can keep my busy for hours with just operating one local freight train. It's nice when a plan comes together.

Now we have to figure out to to join the two layouts together.

 

[Yannis]

I hope i am not late into the party (on how to hide the train).

I would also consider the combination of using a hill and a highway overpass for hiding the train. More specifically, use a hill that has a highway (well actually a country road if needed) on it, which overpasses the curved tracks and hides the "entrance" behind the hill. I have done something similar on my layout where a 2-track staging is hidden behind a hillside, but in the end i might opt for a tunnel instead for the overpass.