Hi folks, I'm new to the forum, but a model train lover almost my entire life. I have one major layout under my belt and I'm ready to tackle a new project. I've decided I really enjoy a combination of industrial/urban modeling along with operating passenger trains and freight. For my next project I'd like to design a layout loosely based on the northeast corridor. To be candid I'm not sure how/where to start and wanted to solicit the opinions of the folks here. I really like the look of the NYNH&H layout featured in the Aug 04 issue of MR. Certainly this is along the lines of what I would like to model. The space I have is 18-20 feet running against a wall with no windows/doors to worry about. From that wall I can stretch out to 16-17 feet without any issues. I would like to include in HO scale min 30" radius, DCC operation and catenary (non-energized) running equipment from the late 60's to present as I can't resist much of the new motive power out there. I would be very grateful for any assistance this forum could provide in design help. And would be happy to pay an indiviual for his/her time. Regards, PRRGG1
It's just a matter of forming the best main line route through your available space first, then everything else follows. John Armstrong's book _Track Planning for Realistic Operation_ was a big help for me, and it is sometimes available in local libraries.
A few thoughts came to mind as I have been daydreaming about a semi dedicated passenger line. 1) How far up na down the East Coast 2) How close to the prototype do you want to be? I wouild study the passenger stations along the way and see which ones you can fit into a working track plan. Boston has a "Y" to turn trains. The commuter line never turns the trains, (that I know of). It "Pulls" out of South Station and "Pushes" them back. I don't know what the Metroliner does and of course the Acela does not care as it is "double ended". I belive Providence and New London are "straight through". Hope it helps.
PRRGG1, Welcome to the forum. I just noticed your post and was wondering if you had given any thought to if you wanted 2 levels or just one like the MR article you are refering to. How about a crude schematic of the room in which you plan to build. Just a few lines showing any possible obstacles in the room like doorways, furnace (if in basement), furniture, etc and the walls or limits you have established. This may help some of us provide you with some more ideas. If you have a subscription to MR there is a track plan for the old NYC Toledo, OH station which was on a curve that would allow you to utilize your space better. You could utilize a trackplan similar to that for a station on this layout. I'm sorry but I don't remember the year or month of the issue that contains the article I refer to, maybe someone else will know or you know. If you are able please provide us with a little more info and your preliminary thoughts to approaching the layout with some of the questions posed thus far.
I wanted to welcome you and provide you with some useful feedback, but your chosen prototypical location and motive power is foreign to me. So I guess a welcome with have to do - glad you could join us.
Many thnaks for the warm welcome and the replies! I don't have any drawings of the area I plan to sue, but it is simply a large open part of my basement. The length is about 18 feet long against a solid wall with no obstructions of any sort. From that wall I can extend out 16 - 17 feet with no issues. As for prototype, not looking to be exact. I'm in no way a "rivet counter." Not married to nay one part of the NEC, just wany a decent sized urban/suburban layout to run heavy electric engines such as the GG1, AEM7, etc... I did see the Toledo layou in MR and didn't care for the track plan as there was very limited area for scenery, etc... Thanks again. Look forward to any advice.
PRRGG1, Have you given any thought to whether or not you would like a fully operational passenger station included (with a small coach yard, maintence facility, etc.), just a representation of a few smaller stops, or none and just high speed passenger trains traveling through scenes? I think that would be an important decision to make before moving to far into design. Developing a key scene or two can really make it a lot easier for everything else to fall into place. With a few key scenes fleshed out, adding industries and possible interchanges will become a little more managable.
Hi PRRGG-1........I too, love electric locomotives but mine are the P1B's, R- Class and T- Class used by the NYC. I began my layout with a terminal that was a cross between the Pennsylvania station and Grand Central Terminal. It has 6 tracks on 3 platforms but it is a dead end like GCT. Penn station has through traffic. As an aside, the area I'm modelling is the right of way of the Long Island R.R. which is really a commuter line formerly a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania R.R. I have equipment from The P.R.R. and the NYC but none from the LIRR. My mainline....4 tracks...joins the Port Washington branch at Woodside station to form 6 tracks. These 6 tracks proceed west through the Sunnyside yard then into tunnels that go beneath the East River into Manhattan and terminate at Penn station. As you might expect I have had to make a lot of compromises along the way. My terminal is below ground level but I want to keep everything where I can reach it if a problem develops. So my terminal has the look of Union station in Washington, DC. rather than the terminals in New York. In the space you've described you ought to be able to construct a "U" shaped layout with a terminal in D.C. and another in Philadelphia. Good Luck and have fun. Howard
