Ok, I am new to the hobby so terms and all are new to me. I've got a table built 105.5in long 30in in the middle the right is 60in (to the wall) deep 35in wide the left is 58in (to the wall) deep 35in wide with 1in of foam. I keep placing the track in a DBL row as far out as I can. It looks silly!!! I would like a quarry a small town, sm switch yard, I live in the foothills of Calif. I would like to look similar ie Oak trees grass etc.. I am running MRC Prodigy express a Kato SD70M UP with DCC/sound, Atlas SD24 BN with DCC/sound, I plan on getting a GP15 UP for the yard. NCE 15v 5a ac, 12v 5a dc I have lots of track switches etc. I am stuck any help will be appreciated. Thanks, Gonzo.
I won't provide advice other than to say it does not look silly, and that you could have two mainlines all around. But I like to watch trains roll so I'm biased that way. Others can help with layout advice.
Instead of running the two tracks parallel around the layout. One of the tracks could have a change in elevation to pass over the other track on bridges and above tunnels with both tracks meeting at your envisioned switching yard. This might require using more curved track pieces with less straights which if you have too much of looks kind of boring. By adding a couple of more layers of foam you could also give the other track a drop in it's elevation so the grades of both tracks won't be too steep. You might think of making the two inside corners of the U shape have a 45 degree angle for more scenery and it shouldn't take away too much room. More levels of foam will also give you room for scenery below track level. Be sure to use foam safe adheasives when gluing the foam.
Nothing wrong with what you have started laying out. Using Kato Unitrack will allow you to experiment with various track configurations until you come up with one you like. You may want to avoid placing track at the extreme backside of your two deep corners as it may be difficult to reach when something derails. You may also want to place your yard and most of your industry spurs as close to the front edge of the layout to make switching operations easier. Use #6 turnouts for your mainline and restrict #4 turnouts to your yard / spurs. You have plenty of real estate to work with for track and scenery. Grades will provide a lot of excitement and are worth the challenge. Woodland Scenics has premade risers to assist in that area. I would also consider a siding or two for staging a couple of made up trains. Njoy! Jerry
Trackplan - RailImages.com Here is a layout similar in shape and size to yours. It is a single line, but it should give you some ideas on how you can add interest. Notice of the three trackplans, one does have dimensions the other two dont.
How about somethin' like this? Depending on how you line up your switches, you can operate it as a double track figure eight or a single track folded dogbone.
I really like that. With either a tunnel or some modifications to the spacing of the upper left double track portion it could be used for Japanese style double track operation in both configurations. I'm going to have to save it.
Just be careful of the reversing loops that are in there! That can be a fun layout, and with autoreversers you will have nothing to worry about.
The attached shows the reversing sections of the layout. Both are large enough to fully contain most trains, so will work well with DCC and an auto-reversing module such as an AR-1 or PSX-AR (one per area)
In the setup stage of Mudkip Orange's design! Well, I was up till 0100 setting this up..... Any input. I just placed an order for $300 of Unitrack to finish... Ha I'll need a lot more....
In your 2nd photo, you may want to watch the double curve, it looks like they may be a bit close together, though that may also be from having the layout still "in progress". Depending on what you are running, there will be overhang on those curves.
