HELP Need ideas for new layout...

[BOOMER]

Greetings and happy holidays to all.
I have a slight quandrem,I have just demolished a 13 year old layout,and would like everyones help in giving me ideas for a new design..the layout is the shape of a T
13'x5' being the long run,now going to the center of the bench go out 4' x 4',the era is steam to deisel,the main industry is the brewery,complete with bottling plant and grain elevators,I have tossed alot things around,but to be honest with everyone I'm brain dead,books,vidieos,trips to the library,I think I just overwhelmed myself,then the CEO of this operation my wife gave me the idea of going on line and getting feedback,I will say now thank you,and hoope to have an abundance of ideas,remember to keep the smoke up and the trucks down,thanks again....
Mike{aka Boomer}

[dvess111]

I'm working on my 5th layout now. One of the best things I ever made on my last layout was to go DCC. I will be using it on the layout that i am presently building. I'm using the Digitrax system. I bought it from LoyToys.com. That is just another thought to throw around. Just always remember that model railroading is suppost to be enjoyable.

P.S. It sounds like your wife is a keeper.

[friscobob]

First things first: Welcome to Trainboard!

Now to business:

John Armstrong, thought of by some as the dean of model railroad design (and author of several excellent books on the subject), has a list of "givens and druthers"- that is, what you're looking for in a layout.

By the sounds of things, you've got the era nailed down (steam-to-diesel timeline). So with that out of the way, let's look at the size of the room. Where's the door, do you need access to windows, breaker boxes, etc?

I'd recommend making a list of what you want on your layout. For instance:
</font> size of biggest locomotive or piece of rolling stock (this will set a minimum radius)</font> Amount of track vs. amount of scenery desired</font> Switching vs. just running trains, or somehwere in between</font> Industries desired (sounds like you've got that covered already)</font> Area of country the layout depicts</font>
It sounds daunting, but just jotting this down on a list helps. Kalmbach Publishing has the book Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong, and also puts out annual magazines called Great Model Railroads and Model Railroad Planning (as well as Model Railroader). Model Railroader website (http://www.modelrailroader.com) is a good place to start.

Also, our Layout Design Forum here on Trainboard is a great place to ask for help. There are guys there who know lots more than me (which in my case doesn't take much graemlins/wink.gif ), and can help, support, and give you all the asistance you need.

Good luck!