I have been searching for weeks for a layout that would work in the space I have available. I have developed a few plans in AnyRail, but they all end up being larger than what I want. As with most people and plans, I have have my wish list of what I would like to have. I have included a rough layout of the room and area available for a layout. Am I stuck with a switching layout or do I have space for continuous running? A few things I'm trying to include in a layout are: N-Scale Continuous running Spurs and small industry switching Interested more in water-way interaction rather than mining, so rivers, lakes, oceans are good Era: 60's - 80's roughly. Location: USA Track: Planning on Atlas Code 55, but open to Code 80 if recommended. (Wheel flange issue, etc.) Open field area, Forest (deciduous and evergreen) Small town DCC I enjoy the entire modeling experience; such that I like modeling the details of the scene as can be found in the White River & Norther V. I am open to suggestions or questions! Thanks so much.
Being continuous running, I'll guess the tracks are hoped to be turning back at each end of your benchwork? If so, is there room to slightly enlarge those areas? At 24" wide, your track radius is going to be about 10.5-11". You might find that a bit confining for some equipment. Now is the time to consider tying to make a bit more space.
the White River & Northern is built by a member here, David K Smith. As for 24 inch depth, you will have 2 issues: 1. the radius for a 180 degree turn will look toy-like 2. reaching the back of the layout will be a P.I.T.A. (pain in the....) You might want to look at making the layout be a little deeper and away from the wall. Dr. Dave Volmer (http://www.thevollmerfamily.com/Pennsy/) has built a great hollow core door layout
Sure you have room for continuous running-- IF-- You have your choice of two "ifs." IF you absolutely insist on keeping your layout within the 24 inch depth shown in your drawing, you can have a continuous oval of track with "train-set" 9 3/4 inch radius curves. This will be okay if you limit yourself to 4-axle GEEPS and switchers, mostly 40-foot freight cars and a few 50-footers, and no more than 7 or 8 cars long on a train. The other IF is if you do like the Whiote River and Northern plan to which you link, and have fatter lobes at the end to accomodate largers radius end turnback curves, say 11 inch radius or 15 inch radius, and go back to a 2 foot or narrower tagble everywhere except the ends. This means your table would not be stright and square. It also means part of the end curve on the left end would be in front of the window. The benchwork could curve so it doesn't completely block the window.
I was thinking the same thing. I don't think bringing the footprint out by the window will be an issue if the fascia is curved.
David is working with me offline through email. I'm looking forward to what he may or may not come up with.
What I didn't mention is that this room doubles as my office (where I work daily) and my clothes area (wife took over the bedroom closet and dressers). So it is a bit small. I'm hoping to make create this layout at eye level with bracing so I can leave my dresser under the layout. Make sense?
Revision of rtoby’s room space diagram to allow 15 inch radius curves, cutting REST of layout LESS than 24 inch depth...
Layout Designs Here are several designs I have been toying around with. This is a version of the WR&N This is a layout modified from some other layout I found online. And finally a layout by David of the Port of Tillamook. Although I like this one, the 5' depth on the right side won't work.
Below you can see a revised layout footprint. Does anyone have suggestions? If anyone would like to help me with this project please contact me and I'll forward my AnyRail file. Thanks.
As far as building layout over drsser, etc. I am building my layout at 57 inch base elevation. This is a view from a few years ago as sections were moved into layout room, Some shelves are supported atop bookshelves. This height just clears the lower half of window, to allow opening windiows (with some difficulty). I have so much stuff to store in my train room- 55 years of Model Railroader magazines, 40 years of Santa Fe Modeler, an architectural history library and an industrial history library and a history history library, I have fixed heavy bookshelves up against the wall under the layout. There is another row of storage in front of that- generally lighter material such as rolling stock in boxes, building and modeling materials. These are on rollers to roll out of the way to access bookshelves behind. As the layout develops, it will have an added sections coming into the middle of the room, over the "rolling storage". I don't necessarily recommend this as desireable. It's just what I have devised to do what I want to do in the space I have.
I've revised the layout a bit and added scene elements. I have a short tunnel in the back which I made short on purpose since I will not be able to access the tunnel through a back door panel. Any suggestions as to what I might need to fix/change? What would you add or remove? What am I missing?
On your waterfront scene, I would move the first switch to the right to make the yard tracks a little longer. Next I would change the remaining switches in the yard ladder to right-handers to eliminate the multiple s-curves. Finally, I would put an escape track in one of the yard tracks to prevent a locomotive that leads a train in from becoming trapped. I like those broad curves you used. That should make for a lot of viewing pleasure as you watch 'em run.
New Layout Design I've been working with David Smith on a layout design. I started my conversation with David from my affection for the WR&N IV layout design. I had thought at the time I could recreate that layout in my space, but I was wrong. Since then David has been gracious enough to help me work something up that fits within the space I have and meets the basic requirements I set forth. Thanks Dave. Below is the basic layout as it stands at the moment. Given this is my first layout, I didn't want to get to carried away. I think this is a great project to start with. This will be my opportunity to learn before moving on to a larger layout. My next step is to take this plan into Illustrator and start laying out streets and so forth.
hi, IMHO you could think twice about the minimum radius. If you do not intend to use long cars 12,5 might do as well. In your original plan spurs were very short. What was bothering me was you modeling a dock, however not with the appropriate row of warehouses and ship/train transloading facilities. With staging, warehouses, transloading facilities and a small yard the plan above is operational sound. Smile Paul
