New Layout, Suggestions Needed

[Topherisme]

Spent that last couple months prepping my basement for the build, and while the fumes from the Flex Seal paint might have made me a bit loopy I still want to attempt what will be for me a good challenge…

Plan is around the walls double deck layout with helix. Cuz of space restriction min radius will be 24.5, max 30, 2.75 between centers.
Hoping the 24.5 radius will work for the helix. #s 4 and 6 turnouts will be used, again for space saving.

When it comes to scenery, wanted to stick to something I know, so has to be something upper Midwest. Because of the helix I wanted a tunnel, a reason for the train to disappear. After some research I decided on the Duncan Tunnel, southern Indiana. I will have a pretty curvy layout, what better excuse for that than the Ohio River. Will be double track main lower level with a yard, single track with a couple passing sidings upper. Main goal is to watch the trains traverse aspect, but will have opportunities for switching fun as well.

Any and all opinions on track spacing, radius and anything else is of course always welcome!!! If interested I can throw some pics of space being used, but my track plan is pen and paper and probably only legible to me lol

Really looking forward to this build!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rico]

Sounds very much like my next layout I have planned, we’re expecting to downsize one last time in a couple years.
And come on… you know we love pictures so post away!

 

[Topherisme]

First room, 14x12 worth of track

Second room, 11x9 worth of track

Long and narrow, 16x2 for the yard, narrowest aisle at 30”…. Helix will be in the foreground

 

[Topherisme]

I started the benchwork in that section only to get a feel for my two heights, first level at 40” from floor, second level 20” above that. Should leave me roughly 18” in between, with top level at about my shoulders. Ceiling will be vinyl sheets attached to joists with cheap lattice, but first some minor electrical work…. I am using sections of the basement that do not have overhead water lines or an abundance of electrical so hopefully good in that regard…

 

[santafewillie]

Hoping the 24.5 radius will work for the helix.

That should be OK, maybe actually generous if you don't exceed a 2% grade

 

[Topherisme]

Steepest grade on the mainline will 1.65%, not sure about the helix yet, but if you think that will work will do my best to save some track and space

 

[logandsawman]

Nice space you have there, looks like my old basement...

All I can say is go with the biggest radius you can. In my experience, the grades are not that big a deal unless you are pulling long trains and/or go overboard with steepness.

Dave LASM

 

[Topherisme]

Don’t think i will have the length needed to run long trains, will kill the “reality” aspect i would think, one train stretching a couple towns…. Even just a 20 car train is roughly 15’ at 9” per car, or am i thinking illogically? Will only have at most a single main line run of roughly 124’…

 

[NorthBrit]

Don’t think i will have the length needed to run long trains, will kill the “reality” aspect i would think, one train stretching a couple towns…. Even just a 20 car train is roughly 15’ at 9” per car, or am i thinking illogically? Will only have at most a single main line run of roughly 124’…

Just my 2 cents worth.

My train room is 11x8ft approx. I run passenger trains of two or three carriages in length. Goods trains are four to six wagons in length. Any longer, trains would 'swamp' the layout and lose the sense of trains 'going anywhere.

 

[Topherisme]

First pic is standing next to benchwork, second pic is a couple steps back…. You guys think it looks about right?

 

[Twinboystrains]

For me, it would work as I have N scale. IIRC you model HO. Are you planning low relief industries along the back wall? Trying to accommodate the 0-5-0 switcher underneath the second deck.

 

[Topherisme]

This particular section of the benchwork is not good for double level as I have to have the upper so wide to make the turn. My plan is to make this section mostly nature related on the bottom, a small town scene up top (at least for now). Everywhere else upper will be at most 12” wide and not such a big deal, from videos I have been watching you can still get quite a bit of scenery in a 12” space. Scenery detail is still a ways away for me so I keep changing my mind on what I plan to do, probably be unsure until I get track laid and see how it goes from there…

 

[Twinboystrains]

You could have a forest scene there where the track snakes through the trees. This way the train disappears from sight momentarily helping the illusion of distance between scenes.

 

[Topherisme]

I agree…. Also deliberated for awhile and decided to raise top level 2 inches. Not real sure, I am not overly tall at 6’1”, but it does seem I should have a little better line of sight to the bottom back.

 

[Twinboystrains]

Mock it up at 1.5 inches first. Should give enough clearance then.

 

[Topherisme]

Ended up going 3” up, gives me 21” from table top to fascia on bottom, 21” from table top to ceiling on top. Top level is still below my chin, very satisfied with the outcome, glad I took the time to do it. Table top level on bottom is at 40”…

 

[Topherisme]

So it’s started, good deal!!! Gonna do the electric and seal the ceiling before I go any further, but today it’s 70 degrees and sunny in late October in Ohio, time to be outside

 

[Topherisme]

My vision for the layout area is black ceiling with wood strips along the joists, dark brown fascia, black curtain material from facia to floor…. Never really got that far, pros and cons to the color scheme please

 

[Twinboystrains]

I would suggest black on the fascia except for any elevated scenery above the edge of the layout. A earth tone to any hills that rise above the edge. This way you are forcing the perspective to the layout and not the immediate area around it.

 

[Topherisme]

I would suggest black on the fascia except for any elevated scenery above the edge of the layout. A earth tone to any hills that rise above the edge. This way you are forcing the perspective to the layout and not the immediate area around it.

So black to say table top, then anything above that should blend in with scenery?