I've started with my n layout.... 2 x 4 I have one run around track...... I have an inner line....not a full run around but it will allow for a switcher to operate while a train is running around the outside, although the swithcer will go back and forth between the interchange track, two industrial sidings and a small diesel engine service area. The space that I have for two buildings/industries is off of two sidings fairly near to each other..... The largest space is about 9" x 5" The smaller space is about 6.5" x 3.5" Any ideas what industries I could model on these sidings. any ideas..... I'd like variety in rolling stock....which will be a bit tough with only two industries but that is all the space I have.... any ideas would be appreciated
You could have a lumber company with associated structures in the 9x5" space and a cement company in the 6.5x3.5 inch space. There are kits available for those two industries. Stay cool and run steam.....
Some ideas for you: -Tank cars go to an Oil dealer Walthers makes a decent little il company kit. it comes with a couple track side structures that can be arranged to fit just about any space. -Coal hoppers go to fuel dealers. You can also just make some oil storage tanks from scratch with PVC pipe and just have a small place to deilver tank cars to. You might combine the oil facility with an old style coal company and get a place for -boxcars go to structures where they get unloaded. A freight house is always a universal sort of loading facility for box cars and flat cars. warehouse is good too. -Gondolas often get used to carry scrap metal. Get a crane kit or modify some kind of crane and then make a scrap yard. -Stock cars go to cattle pens. -grain hoppers and or boxcars also go to grain elevators. Some of my suggestions have to do with transition era railroading. Do some of your own research. Start looking through magazines and books and see where the cars are going. what kind of cars do you have? what era?
I have an outer oval that will be the main line. The inner track....not a full oval but enough to allow a switcher to work the interchange yard and the sidings without interferring with the main line. My main line engine is a Dash 8-40B (built in 1988 and 1989)and I plan to get an MP-15 DC (produced 1974 to 1980) for my switcher ..... I'm using DCC to make "operations" easier.... I want to be fairly accurate but I don't want the stress of modelling a specific prototype and a specific space.... I do want the switchouts to make some sense as I don't want to be delivering lumber to coal burning power plant..... I'd like to have a wide variety of cars for interest.....boxcars, flatcars, oil cars, hooper cars, gondola cars etc....... Some may have to just "be on the main line" going to the next town..... My space is somewhat limiting (being able to only model two industries) but its the best I can do right now..... all ideas are welcome.
Eman, space will be my issue also. I plan to do some illusions on my layout like a few friends have an I've seen in magazines. Use false fronts in the background. one building kit can be two different industries if you do this. and a false track or two give an illusion that they shold connect to your mainline, but the won't. You know what I mean? like a spur that goes toward your mainline and hides under a bridge or goes into a tunnel. it doesn't actually connect but it sure makes one think it does. My friend only has 2-3 actual switches on his layout.However from looking at it you would think it's very complicated and had 12-15 switched.
Does anyone have plans for any of these plans we are discussing? Eman what kind of layout do you have? Can you post a sky shot of the whole thing? I think you saw my small 2x4 layout. You can still do a whole heck of a lot in 2x4 feet.
I really like this simple but interesting layout. It's on a hollow core door and is bigger than your 2x4 but might give you an idea or two: http://alaskamodelrrnews.homestead.com/MSCRR.html Cam
I like the idea of a two sided layout with building flats representing industries as the backdrop. If yo put the backdrop on a diagonal it would give space for two industries. Maybe a small city scence on one side and a rural piece on the other. I would add a siding that could allow you to add more at some point. Also, that hollow door layout is pretty cool!
Jeff: Welcome to Trainboard. You can do alot of modeling on a hollow door layout. Stay cool and run steam.....
I just requested an account at rail images so I'll put a picture up as soon as I get it of where I am at right now.... The idea of some building on a back drop is interesting but my ovals runs pretty near the edge all the around, although perhaps I could do something like that in a corner...... I've got some bench work done and what I think is about the best layout for me for a 2 x 4 area..... when its up, you all can comment as the track isn't down permanently. My next step is to glue some 1" or 1 1/2" foam to the whole layout so that I can cut in a river and make the terrain more interesting..... Hopefully, I'll have a picture up in a day or so and you can give some ideas......
eman2274, I think my best advice is to start looking around on railimages. Space planning on a model railroad is much more art than science. We're not building a steel mill that works (science); we build a model that looks like it would work (art). I classify at least 10% of my overall budget for "failures"--efforts that don't come out looking good. Then I break the failures up, and use them as components elsewhere. Of course, Jeanne gets her hands on some of my failures, and turns them into masterpieces through weathering and--uh--"redesign." In other words, she rips them apart before I can get to them.
