I am generally happy with the layout and want to keep the extra room in the garage (12x23). I don't like the parallel trackage on the backside. Any suggestions of what to do..... thanks for the help.... Dick [ 26. December 2004, 23:45: Message edited by: Dick Foster ]
No the layout is still in the planning stages. The garage space is built and really can't change in terms of the overall size. I would still like to keep space for a workbench and video editing system. The video system would be on the right hand wall next to the door. Dick
Dick, It's hard to tell what the grades are on your plan, but I'll list a few things anyway. 1) You can have the lines at different elevations. Put 1.5" to 2" differences in the track elevation and call it a hillside. 2) Put the track closest to the wall within an accessible tunnel, thus hiding it. 3) If you have the space, make a hump in your dogbone design. Thus making it an "E" on its side. That's difficult to explain, but I did it to one of my layouts and it opened a ton of doors for design issues.
I have tried to keep the grade to about 2% in all cases. The idea of several rock outcropping and tunnels on the up grade along the back wall have also been considered. I like the idea of an "E" island and am working on several ideas. Will post them when I am finsihed. Thanks for the input. dick foster
One other possibility in that space is a C shaped plan, which would allow you to keep the long back section for a yard, but utilize the room space more fully.
1. It is good that you have a reverse loop in there. 2. I would suggest a scenic divider running from one end of the back to the other. You can move two of the mains to the rear of it and the rest will be exposed in front. A siding coming out of a tunnel at the right rear is in my head. Alternatively, you can either still divide, but not all, and raise the rearmost two tracks to run about six or eight inches higher than the ones in front of it. Sorry- I am thinking N scale, which would be one hell of a layout in that space.
Mark: Thanks for the input. The back track is already at an elevation of about 5". I am thinking about having that track curve out over the yard to an extension of the benchwork then come back near the left hand corner. Still working out the details and also to see if it is practical. I like your viaduct. Was thinking of using something like this or some type of steel truss bridge.... Again I appreciate the input Dick Foster
I decided that the benchwork was too wide in the back section and that there was too much trackage to look even respectable. I moved the yard onto a new section and created an aisle between the two sections. For me it works much better but the entrance to the yard is only one direction. The answer might be a bridge or duck under on the left end to connect. Still thinking.... Dick
You might have more design flexibility with a steel truss bridge. Going under a viaduct with track (due to width of the viaduct piers means your rails MUST be perfectly centered and not on a turn going through them. There is no "squeeze" room.
Its always difficult to comment on a layout design as usually my comments are geared to the layout design style I prefer. There is nothing noble about what I prefer, kind of like white wine versus red wine, which one is better? I prefer white. On to your layout; a couple of comments. "IF" your layout is being designed for interesting operations, I think you might want to modify the plan. First you yard, your best to have it connect off a run around track (lead track) as this will allow switching without blocking the main; thus not breaking one of the ten commandments of layout design - "Thou shalt not block the main." You have a passing siding just beyound the turnout for the yard, why not flip that track to the other side and extend it down past the turnout for the yard. This move will allow the yard to work off this "lead track." You could but a gentle bend in the main here to get away from straight track. Secondly, the layout you have designed is more a runner's layout, rather than an "ops" layout. If you look there really isn't a lot of switching available - basically, in the two loops and the yard. Which leads me to my first question - is this layout HO? I think your basic idea is sound for what you want to do with the area, but if ops is of interest to you, I'd look at throwing in some more switching. But then again, you might very well be content to have more a diorama runner's layout, then you're basically good to go. Long continuous running without switching can get boring after a while. Ask anyone with a 4 by 8 who has had it for a couple of years operating, and the first thing they'd like is more switching opportunities.
Rick: Thanks for all the good comments. I am exactly where you think I am...... torn between building a more "ops" oriented layout and one for just plan running and some simple switching.!!!! Good insight. I think that I fall somewhere in between and I will endevor to make some of the suggested changes you mentioned. I can easily see the problem of no runaround or A/D track. The siding you are talking about is not at the same grade as the yard and mainline at this point. I know it is hard to show this in a rought drawing..... I am working to see if modifying the benchwork and adding a new siding from the yard main will cure the problem. Thanks again for all you help. I am exapnding the left hand loop switching which will become a lumber mill and support tracks for a supply line.....the right hand loop also needs more acitivity and some industires if it is to become a switching point. Thanks for the help.... Dick Foster
