I will say after participating in many NTRAK layouts and shows, that the single level gets to be a bit boring after a while. That is just a personal observation. It is your railroad and you know best. So I would advise that you save the bridges etc in case the single level does not provide the excitement and fun that you seek whilst running your trains. It still is a wonderful layout either way!
David...and...Jim.... I agree that after awhile....in my case 8 years...our layout track plans can get boring. Watching trains climb a 2 percent grade...run aroud back and then down a sweeping decline can cause yawns after awhile.....lol. I'm not saying what I have is wrong or right. I know rule #1 applies. I suppose I'm seeking...not approval...but input. Both of your inputs are always welcome. You guys with more railroad track plan knowledge is invaluable.
Ok...like I said...seeking input ... I dug out my box of extra Unitrack. As you can see in the pic below...if I use the 15 or 13.XXX you can see the wide sweeping "S" curves or whatever they will be. You can also see where I marked the ends of the straight track...both top and bottom at the aisle. Questions: Are the proposed curves to...errrrrrrrrr....wide...sweeping...sharp...whatever??? I can always make Unitrack 'flex track' per Mike Fifers video and connect them at the red and black "X"'s. . That would mean I could make the curves less 'sharp' or ????? Nothing is set in stone yet...not even the track realignment idea... Input welcome.
Personally, I'm a fan of sweeping curves. I only think it's bad if it's too sharp and trains derail. Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk
Sweeping curves are great. Remember railroad builders didn't make sharp curves unless there wasn't another option. They would follow the lay of the land in most cases.
Ok...'sweeping curves' it is The distance..as the bird flies...from the end of one straight across to the other is 36". 'Snoopy Rock' cant be moved. The 'Chapel in the Pines' can be pushed back a little further into the trees. The parking lot can be reconfigured. Making Unitrack Flex should do the trick... Thanks Further... I decided that the white spur track into 'Stevens Concrete' and 'Georges Scrap Yard' should come off a new passing siding behind 'Jeans Valley'.
The nice part of using Kato track is changing the plan, if don't like the changes can try something else or go back to what was there. I would say try it and see if you like best.
Meaningless meandering I do not like, but I do like spaghetti, with the right "sauce", particularly on small layouts, when it adds operating interest.
Not a problem with DCC. Hey George, you going to change your handle to flatlandertrainman? It's a Pretzel-ed Dog Bone, now get it right.
Just be careful of potential for derailments, as your "S" curves have no transitions. Test it thoroughly, before making the changes permanent.
