Hi, I'm back to the well for some more layout design help. I need help thinking outside of the box, or maybe it's outside of the oval I'm building an "N" scale shelf layout. The look I want is Anthracite Coal Country of Central PA, Think, mountains, mines, grades. I had (2)Net-RR's offer up a real nice plans, but it may be beyond my scope at this time. I've had (4) back surgeries, the last 0ne unsuccessfull, so I mostly try to work, and try to sleep, and every other weekend I get time for trains. I don't have too much free time that I'm not laying on an Icepack or working I've managed to build the basic benchwork, and have built a basic loop with some woodland scenics grades to allow me to run some trains for sanity. But I want to stop playing and start building. What I have is an "L" shaped benchwork that is 2' wide and each leg is 10' long. At the end of each leg is a bulge, dogbone of 32" to allow for turnaround. The frame is 1x3"s with 1/4" birch on top, and 1" pink foam on top of that. I have a good selection of Woodland Scenic 2% grades and risers, plus a 3% grade. My risers are 1/2", 1", 3/4", 1", and 2". I'm also using Kato Unitrack and have a pretty good selection to get started. Here are some links to a sketch, some rough pics, and the (2) designs. http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/basicloop.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/rightleg.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/middle.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/leftleg.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/anthraciteCreek.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/stclair.jpg This is what I want which maybe too much to ask. I want at least one continous run to show off the layout to friends and family. If I could get (2) continous runs all the better. I can get past just (2) parallel loops. I want one or two mines. At least one tunnle. I would like a small yard and if space allows a turntable. I'm 43, this is my first layout since my teens and I always wanted a TT. I would like at least one area where track crosses over track ( a bridge, not a crossing ) This is where I get stuck, I always come back to two parallel loops, and I would like one to cross over the other. If a crossing is needed also OK. Power for now will be block and DCC, the future will most likely be DCC, but I already have 3 power packs and none of my engines is decoder equipped. Thanks in advance for any advice. And if you have already offered me advice, please don't feel slighted, It is just beyond my talents for now. To the BBS owner I hope you don't mind if I cross post this on layout design section ? Thank you all, Dave
The two designs seem to lend themselves to continuous running in only one direction. The first one has one reversing loop but once you run a train through it you end up having to back through the same loop to run your train in the opposite direction again. Many folks don't have a problem with that but I know quite a few that built a layout like that and then were frustrated after they ran it for a while. Sometimes you have to run trains for a while to find out what you like. I am helping a friend build his second layout. #1 was a spaghetti bowl of track work where his second one is a lot more simple but still challenging enough to operate on so he won't get board.
Cruikshank: It's an easy choice to go to DCC now. You will experience a very noticeable change how a train layout is run. It might be worth while for you to commit to DCC now. The enjoyment you will get from the layout you have with a few discreet changes will make the world of difference for you.
Cruik, I have to say I like Anthracite Creek better the St. Clair. I think it will be much more realistic. However, having said that I notice a cuople of things you might want to watch for. #1 - The overpass to the left. It looks like the upper line is about 1.5" above the lower, maybe a little more, right at the bridge. This is pretty tight. You may want another 1/4 to 3/8" at least. #2 - You may run into a similar problem at the "turnpike" end. To have enough clearance for the hidden track under the "optional industry siding", and have the turnouts at the arrival/departure siding on the level, will require quite a grade. though yuo cound put our optional siding a a bit of a grade also. that woudl raise it some so your hidden track can start it's grade up sooner. Other than that I think it's a winner. Heck, I might even steal parts of it. Mike
