Some of you may have visited my layout build thread. I have been building it for over 2 years, and have invested some time into it. Unfortunately and fortunately, we have moved out of the cramped half a house we were living in and upgraded to a Cape Cod. This particular abode has a full sized basement. Not to get ahead of myself, but I am sort of at a crossroads here. Feel free to read through my layout build thread to familiarize yourself with it. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?137939-New-Layout-Blue-Ridge-Northern During the move the layout was cut in half and there has been some light damage, mostly to track since I had just started scenicking the layout. Given that I have enough room now, I would like to add another leg to the layout bringing it from an "L" to a "U" shape. It shouldn't be too hard of a switch, as long as the west-most main lines are connected to the new layout on a 2% grade. The south part of the track plan would be completely redesigned though. My original focus for the BRN was coal in the PA appalachians. However, part of me has some gripes about my current layout and wouldn't mind starting with a new track plan. This frustrates me though, because I know how much work and "start-up" money it took just to get to this point. Honestly, if I had a reasonable idea of how to spice up my current plan I would be happy to keep most of the foam work I have built. I feel like if I had to scrap the layout and start over, It would feel like a failure. Just to help you all out, I'll list some of my gripes. -East end of the layout has a land-locked hill which will make it hard to model a relatively believable town. -Coal Tipple was out of reach against the wall and would have needed rear access, although this is not a problem with the new place. -South part of layout had three mains, making it hard to figure out if I wanted a crossing, or bridge with roadway over it. -No yard -Little to no sidings -Not having a solid plan for terrain and buildings, leaving most of the layout a big question mark. This meant that I had to plan and build on the fly, which made it harder at times. If I built a new layout from scratch, I'd like to: -Sort of a modular-feel for easy tear down and moving. -Have a small switching yard -More sidings with customers -Locomotive/rolling stock repair shops -Passing tracks/places for helpers to sit for grades -Have a slightly more detailed track plan including terrain and possible building locations. So, what do you folks think? Salvage the layout I have and expand from it? Or start over? Any suggestions on a track plan?
As you mention modular for tear down and moving, it sounds as though you are not quite 'permanently' located? If there are going to be further moves, this would certainly be the route to take. If you do dismantle this present layout, don't consider a failure. You obviously have learned a lot. That is can only be good. Give us an idea of room size and shape. Where obstacles such as doors, columns, plumbing, etc, must be dealt with, and then...
take the buildings and the turnouts off, and start over...reading your post tells me that this is what YOU want, and no one else can tell you that. If you are not happy with what you have, then it is time to start over, and unless you want the old layout to run trains on, I do not see a reason to take it with you
I was in somewhat the same position as you a few years ago. Luckily, I had taken the plunge and stripped what I could salvage off of my old layout a couple of years earlier and settled on a modular/sectional/portable design that could travel with me when and if I moved. There were three moves involved and because of my design, no damage to the layout. As a plus, several of my N-scale friends decided to build their home layouts using my standards, so we are able to buckle up together at two or three shows in Utah and Wyoming per year, some of us taking a lot and some of us taking just a few. Unless I were building a multi-level layout, I feel no lessening of the layout because it's modular/sectional, and am am VERY happy that it is so easy to break down to store, or to transport, or to tip up on a section's back and work on wiring when necessary. My layout will eventually occupy a 30'X30' space...or variations of that, but around 900 sq feet. Don't know if I'll live long enough to get it done, but I'm having a great time knowing my efforts aren't wasted and that if I'm not satisfied with a section, I can just take it out, re-work it or salvage what I can and trash the rest, without disturbing the rest of the layout. Cheerio!! Bob Gilmore
Yeah, I guess it is starting to look this way. I has been a short 2 years, and I guess there is no sense wasting more time and effort on it if it isn't what I want anymore. I guess I will mull it over a bit more and get back to you all with a layout footprint and goals. Maybe one of you pros would be willing to forge up a plan for me?
I am not saying this is the EXACT plan I am interested in, but I kind of like how this plan incorporates a bit of an urban setting, but the mainline would run through the hills and forests. I also like the incorporation of a river. Anyone interested in drawing me up a track plan with this as a bit of a guide? *This is not my trackplan. It was drawn up by David K. Smith and belongs to him. I simply embedded it.
Track plans are always a great place to start getting the creative juices flowing. Another option widely used is to obtain photos and maps of the real thing and scale them down. This will also give you more scenic details and dimensions to work with; something you indicated was an issue with your last layout "-Not having a solid plan for terrain and buildings, leaving most of the layout a big question mark. This meant that I had to plan and build on the fly, which made it harder at times". And don't forget your true focus "My original focus for the BRN was coal in the PA appalachians" if that is still what you are wanting. Once you have sufficient documentation on your layout theme, you can selectively compress it to fit your design footprint. Lastly consider logistics and when you are satisfied with all aspects of the plan you should have your dream layout. Plenty of food for thought. Jerry
Anybody willing to draw me a similar trackplan? Scenes I would love to try to incorporate. Honestly, I really like the above layout, and am seriously considering using it. I like the hidden staging which I would hide in a mountain, I like the long main, I like the fact that there is a bit of an urban setting on the right and that it has a loop for continuous running. I guess the only thing I'm wondering if I could tweak "yard" at the top. I don't need a monster yard though. Maybe I should just shoot for the above example track plan? Anyone?
I am thinking it would have an open back, and would be under a mountain. It could be lift-off but I am thinking it will just have access to the rear. I am trying to think of a way to modify the plan to make it a "u-shape". I don't have 15 feet for the "L" shape.
Folks... I am looking for the layout to take up a space of 8x8x8 U-shape. I have started playing with XtrakCAD and will post something up if I can get it to look half decent, but the above example trackplan has almost everything I am looking for. ANY help would be great.
My two cents: take everything you can salvage off of your current layout (to minimize financial loss), and start your new dream layout from scratch. I beleive you will be much happier and as soon as you get your bench work up, you'll forget all about the time you spent working on the other layout. I had a similar situation. I was ready to start adding landscape textures, and decided to completely redo my layout from the ground up. It was probably the best layout-related decision I've made to date. I'm now very happy with the direction the layout is going. Good luck!
Primavw, Can you post a diagram of the room including all windows, doors and any other obstructions with dimensions?
Ok, here is a floorplan of my basement. I am only showing half, as the other half is for storage/laundry etc. ALL furniture(Workbench, shelves, cabinets) is immoveable! So access has to be considered for them. The rear of the workbench can be blocked. I don't want to use ALL of the space, I would say ether half of the basement is fair game, but not both sides.
I agree with Noah..You've moved..You have a new, larger and different footprint/RR real estate to work out. Salvage all the track you can..Find or create another MRR, erect the benchwork, and start fresh...Realise the things you disliked about prior road and merely don't repeat them.. Looks like you have room for a completely walkaround layout.. Build it all to either be easily reachable with your arm and or be able to walk along, in and out of areas and aisleways. Avoid all duck-unders. Don't know if you know this but, if floor has no rug, you can use it to lay out your plans on from above..especially where largest curves will be.. I personally would not want a 'continual' where trains circle the room and wind up back at beginning..For me, point to point railroading is more satisfying in that one must run the RR realistically every time and employ prototype engine or train turning to go back in other direction..But thats a personal call not everyone agrees with in this hobby. But, yes, start a completely new MRR now. And prior one ? Fuggeddaboudit !!..
Had a lot of ideas, then re-read your post and realised furniture is immoveable. bugger! How high is the furniture? Can the layout sit on to of it or is it too high?
FWIW, here's a U-shaped plan I did for a similar space; it measures 60 x 96. Perhaps it will give you some ideas.
