OK - I've been in N scale for about 2 years now and I've been selling off my stuff to make the switch to HO. I have problems seeing all the detail I want to accomplish in N and I have had a small HO layout for my wife for the past few months. Working on that has made me realize HO is where I probably need to be. Here is what I am looking (wanting desperately) to accomplish and below that is the outline of my benchwork. Is this do-able in HO? Yes, I know I'll probably have to give up all the double track and straighten the layout some, but can I do it? Yes, I know this would be much easier to do in N, but that is now moot. I have been working with RTS for the past week and cannot get anything that even remotely resembles what I want or even looks like it will work. The 14' leg and the 2.5' leg at the top left are against the walls. There is access to all the other sides. Again, the gauge is HO, each square is one foot, I will be using DCC and a mix of Atlas flextrack and turnouts and some Peco turnouts. All track is Code 83. Can any one post some ideas?
One of our TrainBoard members asked for a link to my items for sale. Here it is : http://www.therailwire.net/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2225
Is that traction or steam? Transition era? What railroad is that? There was a model railroader mag a while back that had a whole city how to switching layout. It would be a good reference for you. I would think that with short switchers you could reduce some of those industrial curves down to 15" radius. It seems the defining element in this design will be the rolling stock and engines. Is that a car ferry on the diagram? A car ferry would be a neat feature for storing and removing cars from the layout.
It will be transition era - first/second generation diesels and 40' rolling stock. The map is of PRR trackage in downtown Philly, but I will be using a little artistic license and changing it to the Reading. That is a pier and not a car ferry and I would like to keep it or at least a suggestion of the pier.
You may have to do some compression, and perhaps even some omission, but yes, it's quite do-able. For switchers, I'd recommend staying with either Alco (S1 to S4) or early EMD types (SW1, NW2). However, a Baldwin (either a Stewart or one of the Athearn models) would also work. A couple of years back, John Pryke did a multi-part article in Model Railroader about a street-switching layout that tied in to his large New Haven layout- it was based on the Boston area. Also, Blair Koistra had a great article in the last Gream Model Railroads issue about his Walla Walla Valley RR, which fit into a spare bedroom. Pryke's Boston scene is switched by 44-tonners, and as mentioned, there's a lot of street running. Do you plan on having a staging yard anywhere on the layout, or running off one side? BTW, welcome HOme!!
Thats the one I was thinking of Frisco, the john pryke series. That was a really nicely done set of articles. Bama, As for engines... Boy there is a lot of cool stuff in ho these days when it comes to switchers. You can find some of the life likes fairly cheap at train shows. Even the critters that just came out would be worth considering. But a dock railway might warrant some tank engines like 040 and 060. What kind of stuff are you thinking of using?
I haven't made a decision about a yard of any kind, yet. I'm trying to research some diagrams of the Noble Street Yard or the Greenwich Yard referenced on the map. From what I've seen, the Greenwich Yard was huge, so it may not be a viable candidate. My biggest problem has been getting any kind of trackplan to fit in my space. I guess I just don't have enough knowledge to change up that map into a workable plan for my space.
I think I will probably stick to diesels. I have a fondness for the old ALCO's, so I'm sure there will be a couple of S-1's and S-2's in there (are there some good, reliable, DCC friendly ones out there?). I also like the looks of the new MP-15's Atlas is coming out with. I think the Reading also used some FM trainmasters in this area for switching.
Well you should be set with alco's since life like did them and they really are cheap at train shows.i've seen them as low as 30 bucks. I took your plan and just messed around in photo shop so I could do a sort of cut up. I was just messing around so I do not expect it to be your ultimate plan , but the best way to get going is to have a plan you don't like and then shuffle that around till you do like it. I will have to email it to you tomorrow.
Here is a plan that Traingeekboy e-mailed me. I really like it, but I'm not sure if it is feasible with Code 83 in my limited space. It really does capture what I am looking for, though. I may have to play "put and take" with some flextrack and turnouts and see what will fit. I just can't get the hang of that dang RTS.
It is just a start. You need add to it. I use autocad to design. But I still find pencil and paper the fastest and easiest way. Good luck!
Judging by the fact that alot of that plan is running on street trackage, I would wager that something sharp like 18"curves may even be prototype for those spurs. I think you could fit a nice oval on the 4x10 foot section and get some continuous running in there. Maybe you could put the buildings at a 45% angle and get a figure eight in that section with spurs coming off of it. Just tossing out idea's. Thats a pretty nice space you have there I bet you can do a lot there. Perhaps you can sneak in some sort of two stall engine house. kind of like a trolley barn for your diesels. [ 03. February 2005, 19:45: Message edited by: traingeekboy ]
