Over the years I have seen many really nice train layouts that had to be cut-up (and destroyed) in order to remove them from their home place, due to either the owner's having passed away, or his moving to another residence. Very often they are rather a custom fit in their home built environment, and thus aren’t likely candidates for a new special location. I'm even currently in possession of a very nicely detailed waterfront scene that had to be cut out of an estate sale layout, and I am hoping to incorporate it into my new layout, but I see problems on the horizon. With these experiences in mind I decided that I would purchase a stand alone Handi-House shed, and build my new layout in there. Then if I should change residence again, I can simply load that shed onto a trailer and move the whole layout to a new location. Or if I should pass away my wife could sell the layout and shed as an entity, and the buyer could move it to his new location. I retired to a trailer home here in St Augustine, and it had an almost full length carport attached to it. I thought why not pull that new shed into the back portion of the carport and take advantage of the extra shade provided by the carport cover over the shed. It was a tight fit, and in fact to get a 12 foot wide shed into my carport I had to move all 5 of its support columns out a distance of 1 foot (had to pour concrete footer for those new column locations). I also had to remove 3 big beams attached to the underside of the shed in order to get enough clearance to fit under the carport's roof (I had initially given considerations to chopping the peak off of the shed), but became convinced I'd rather trim the height by modifying the bottom. I needed only a few inches, but it became a major undertaking. And I did this all by myself at the age of 74 using skid pads I made and a come-along attached to a tree in the back yard. I have now just finished insulating the entire shed and installing a ceiling fan and a small air conditioner. My interior dimensions with the insulation all in is now 11 inches short of the overall dimensions of the 12x16 shed, ie; 11' 1” by 15' 1” I want to build a dbl-deck, around-the-wall, with a peninsula layout. At first I was wondering if the peninsula might project out from one of the 'long walls' of the shed, but I am now convinced that the peninsula needs to project out from the 'back narrow wall' of this shed that sits at the opposite end from the opening door at the other end. I intend to have a helix (likely single tracked) to move the trains between the 2 decks. And since the helix’s take up so much room, I intend to make the helix structure in its own 'box' external to the interior of the shed. This will be like a 'winged box' structure hung off a rear corner of the shed, about 5-6 foot in size to house the 26-30 inch radius helix. There will be two small holes in the shed's metal siding to allow the train to enter and exit the helix. At the moment I am imagining the train will enter the helix at an opening just off center of the shed's wall at the rear of the peninsula, and proceed its upward climb to the top deck, where it will reenter the shed over near the a perimeter (side) wall. Brian PS: lets see if this post in its entirety as I am new to this forum
I've got track plans for the dbl layer layout, plus a plan for the large 3 area staging tracks under the main level. And I have the plywood decks cut out for those 3 layers. Lets experiment and see if I can upload a pix of the logging scene mock-up directly from my computer?
I admire your solution railandsail, well engineered and durable! When my wife retires, we plan to move and I'm designing my new N Scale road to come along with us. It takes a lot more design effort to do this, with detachable wiring, strong removable table legs with casters and tables that separate. I also have to contend with a dog leg in the staircase that limits table size. My construction pace is glacial, but I know it will be worth the extra work. Thanks for your photos!
Thanks, The layout is 14' deep by 9' wide. With a 4'X7' "pit" in the center. The turntable has 15 whisker tracks. Wolf
As you have shown us, that is enough room to build a substantial layout with good sized industries, a large roundhouse and a feeling of open space. It's a practical lesson in the advantages of N scale.
External Helix I knew we need large radius turns in our helix structures, so I chose a dbl track one of outer radius about 30". That meant my helix structure was going to be on the order of 6 feet in diameter. It I put that inside the train shed I would not have room for anything else . So I decided to make my helix external to the shed,..out the backside Then the helix grew in height as I chose to make it feed my staging levels below the main deck. I really need a concrete pad below my helix,.. My metal scrap yard nearby was a lifesaver with alum 'stuff' If you want to see more, and some of the finishing photos, google search, " Multiple Staging Areas & access to them (perhaps sub helix)"
Ah ha, I didn't notice it was N scale,..that might help explain what he fit in that space. My train shed is 11x15 inside dimensions and I'm building in HO. I have been accused of trying to put 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lb,...which is likely an adapt description. But I like to have a LOT of industry, and run trains, so the subties of switching and scenery come in second place
Well, Playa Desnuda is stored in my garage, and since it is summer in Arizona...not much has been done lately...
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Some photos taken during various Operations Sessions this spring. Up until mowing season started in earnest, we were trying to do 2 per month. We have had to slow down the schedule quite a bit. Once the mowers are put up, I plan to start up again. This is a 12.5’ by 11.5’ room. We can do 4 operators max. 2 can have plenty of room. Now that we have upgraded to Digitrax, we can use Duplex Radio throttles or WiiThrottle through JMRI. It’s cozy but a lot of fun. Strictly hardcore set-out and pick up with interchanges to two railroads. I’m fixing to extend a siding again to make it work better.
Thanks for the posting info. Now having to live in an apartment I worry about disturbing my neighbors. They are already unfriendly. Is N less noisey than the HO I have?
Are they sound units? If so, you can always turn them down. The factory settings always assume you want to have them loud as the real thing. In our train room we use a fraction of the sound setting.
I wasn't concerned about artificial sounds but rather the sound they make going down the tracks. When I had N gauge I lived in a large house out in the country. Now I'm in a modest apartment in the city and into HO gauge. Maybe I should consider returning to N.
I don’t think it should be a problem. Unless you have an exceptionally loud grinder, it should be fine. Set up a minimal oval and try it out.
Here’s mine nscale it a older pic more is done now 24 feet over 10 and back up 17 u shape with a back drop between the 10 foot and 17 foot part
Ok, I will pose a question to you all. Of all the layouts on the thread, how many of you operate and what method do you use? Train Order/Track & Time, Switch List or Car Cards/Way Bills? As you can see on the POCR we use Car Cards &Way Bills. Thanks, Dale