In that case I do suggest you take a look at the general idea of the plans I posted. They give you a yard, switching, and continuous running. They are also easy to expand or adjust to fit anyone's space.
While 'abstract', this gives you an idea for the space. It provides: Continuous running and switching at the same time Space for an interchange track A yard You can modify the actual layout including the yard which can be lengthened. What do you think?
Interesting. I've been playing around with my HO track and then copying things down into AnyRail today since we're iced in. Here's a plan I developed from playing around on the floor. I'm still trying to figure things out, but at least I'm progressing. I went ahead and ordered up some coaches to go with my Amtrak P42, so I'll have at least one small train to get an idea for layout spacing, length of sidings, etc.
HO scale prototype with the track I have on hand. It's an interesting layout, and the majority of the switches are within arm length, which is convenient since I don't have the means to wire them up to a control panel. The passing siding that goes around the station is just barely long enough for the train to fit, but I don't care for the train having to foul the main to back onto the siding for the industry.
I must have missed that you were doing HO. My bad. My Thoughts: Nice! I like large yards so would add another track on the right side of the yard but most would disagree with me as upsetting the track to scenery balance. If you decided to explore the concept I suggested you could get the oval yard lead, and 'interchange track' down. Later as budget permitted you could add more. One of the issues would be 'very sharp' curves on the inner curve. But, yes, your current configuration works. The far right spur could be used to stage a train so when one pulls into the yard or the other industry the staged train could leave for a once around. If you could extend the yard lead you would have room for a yard goat to make and break up trains.
You didn't miss anything. I currently have an amount of HO track, motive power, and freight from when I was working on a 1950s-era NYC layout. However, all these plans are for my switch from HO down to a modern era N scale layout. Whenever I start to focus on a design in AnyRail, I try and build it in the real world and play with it for a while to see how it flows.
I'm guessing you are not going with Unitrak? I have done my design work: On paper, sketching and re-sketching until I can do it without a mistake or change. Then I do it up in Paint - almost to scale Then I lay it out with actual Unitrak. The plan I proffered for you does not account for curve radius or turnout size. If you are not using Unitrak then I'd suggest doing the curve with flex track. The turnouts are way off scale.
I'm planning on Unitrack actually, keep things simple. I know with Bachmann's EZ Track there's a special rail piece that has the connector for the powerpack. Is this similar to Kato, or do you clamp a pair of leads to the track like with LGB? I will say, as it is right now the layout is a little boring. I'll have to do some revising.
Have you considered connecting the spur at the rear to make another run around track ? That would leave you a make-up track for the yard.......Mike
I might consider it. Going in a different direction for a moment, 120" x 20" point to point. If I was freight only then a point to point would be great, but throwing in the passenger operations (even a small Amtrak commuter) makes it less desirable.
I feel most people want continuous running but if you have no choice then consider: Commuter rail can be push in / pull out. Use a compound ladder track to optimize yard storage Decide what kind of industries you want to service Decide if you want a city, urban or country setting Etc Still, use the same method of draw, redraw, etc.
As I draw and redraw, build and rebuild, I'm dialing in on what I'm looking for. I'm focusing on modern era, but I'm being funny about it. My P42 is in phase III livery, as are the Amfleet cars. I'm going to pick up a GE ES44AC, but it will be in Conrail livery. I'm going for the Northeast, small town kept alive by an industry or two. For whatever reason I think the idea of a brewery is fun, since it would let me use hoppers for grain, tankers for a variety of liquids, box cars for incoming and outgoing materials... I'd also like to try a construction materials plant for the same reason, a wide variety of incoming and outgoing loads requiring a variety of cars. And a team track for fun. But maybe I'm overloading what an HCD layout can do.
That's fine. I do think I'm going to go for an HCD layout with a continuous loop, but I want to find a way to make the layout more interesting and give it long term enjoyment. One of the things I enjoyed with the point to point shelf layout that David drew was the mental effort required to drop off and pick up cars with the least amount of moves. It was very satisfying in a way that leaving the throttle wide open isn't.
The original plan #14 was a point to point. Here is it s stretched out: The optional yard is a 'compound ladder' giving more storage for the same space. You can straighten it out, stretch, squeeze, or just about anything else you wanted to do. You could have a line come across the back on a trestle or the edge of a mountain. You can add spurs or remove them.
I decided to focus in on an industry, do some research, and draw up a spur. Based it off of info from the September/October 1989 edition of Prototype Modeler. Creates a need for tankers of corn syrup, hoppers of malt, box cars of bottling materials and reefers for the finished product.
That would work well on a shelf layout. My Thoughts: Single track main line. The layout is too small for a double track You could make it the center piece at the 10' mark. I personally would include a 3 or 4 track yard big enough to hold a max of 25 grain cars at one end of the layout. Include a run-around, yard lead and yard goat stub. I would also have a 2 track interchange at the other end. I'd make each track 4 grain cars long plus a lead long enough to comfortably hold a GP. At at least two other industries off the main. Passenger? I'd suggest an tourist train or a commuter run. Make it two short cars and a GP / RS of some sort. Anyway, that is what I would do. BTW: I have created a BMP file, (for Pain), with a 4 pixles to the inch scale ruller for your size area.
Here's what I'm going to be building. It may not be perfect, it may not be prototypical, but I like it. It'll be a good first layout.
If nothing else, I would recommend shrinking the loop a bit to leave some space around the edges of the layout...
