Hello, I have attached a pdf describing what will probably be my last N Scale layout as I near retirement. The room I have to work with is 14' x 14'. I'd like to think I've learned a few things along the way, forgotten a few things and still continue to learn. I don't expect this will be any earth shaking news, but I did want to share it with you for those who might be interested. As with everything, I don't expect everyone to agree with all my ideas for the layout and would certainly welcome your comments. Thanks and I continue to enjoy reading this board. Cody
Wow, enough to never get bored with operation.:tb-biggrin: At least you have done this before so you know exactly what the challenges will be. :yes9rq: I always feel for the new person who just jumps in with the attitude "what could possibly go wrong". Then they find out.:shock:
I wouldn't quite call it spaghetti. I reserve that term for layouts with confusing routing, cutoff tracks, excess return loops or alternate routes. A layout can be crowded without being spaghetti. The plan does look heavier on track than your goals suggest, though (and I see you notice that). I know from drawing many plans for comparable spaces that fitting a full classification yard in this size does tend to make it dominate the layout. Can you explain something about the yards? I see two separate yards, one on the front portion of the mainline loop and one on the back. And both appear to serve the inner track. It's hard to see how some of the switches connect with the image at this size and resolution, though. The renderings make the layout look larger and less crowded, though #6 is really deceptive. Coloring the aisles green creates the impression of a lot of empty layout space. I notice there's no staging, nor is it in the goals. Is that a specific design choice?
Hi guys and thanks for the responses, I'm going to try and get a better view for you to look at the layout as I agree that the pictures really don't define things. When you remove the yard, the layout basically becomes a 2 track loop. Cody
Welcome to the site Cody. I like your layout idea. I'm also from this area. I attended Kent State myself and also know Ravenna area since my sister lives in Hudson.
See if this is a better view This is hand drawn and not to scale, but defines the track layout a little better. I didn't show all of the yard tracks or sidings. My point of this is to show how what appears to be one large yard, is actually two and how each mainline enters and exits the yard. Cody
Thanks to all First, I want to thank everyone who took the time to review my pdf file and especially to those who seem to understand what I am going to do. To me, modeling a prototype line meant the railroad is at a certain place on the layout and that in itself causes great challanges. I stripped as many things as possible when designing the layout without taking away from the feel of the line. As I said in my pdf, the real way to drop down a notch or two and with making the layout appear less busy would have been to set the yards above the mainlines on a different level. I have no experience with helix's and I decided to avoid it all together. I really enjoy layouts like the Oakville that has extremly long runs without much in the way of buildings and I truly wished I had that kind of space to work with. Also if I had chosen DCC, I could have dropped the track to a single line in some areas allowing the layout to breath even more. The new picture I posted hopefully shows the layout a little better. It's still not perfect, but should get the idea across. As for staging, or lack of, I intend to use the yards for that purpose. The 3D renderings do seem to show more space on the layout and when panning around using the 3D view. It does not seem so crowded when comparred to the 2D view. I understand, or at least I think I do that the yard is what causes the layout to be as one stated, spagetti (sp). Other than that, it's basically two lines in a big circle with some sidings cautiously placed. I do live in the Cleveland area and why I chose the New Castle sub because I could get to most of the locations and take pictures to use for reference. Lastly, I didn't mean to sound so morbid with the "Last layout in N Scale" title. But the truth of it is, in order to do this layout correctly, I wanted something that would provide many operation options and something that I could always tweak and make better along the way. So it probably will be my last layout. On my last layout, I found myself just playing in the yard for long periods of time switching. Basically, I'm a single operator. Again, many thanks to all my railroad brothers! Cody
I'm guessing if this is your "last" layout then you probably, (like most of us), have 100s of freight cars, locomotives and such you want readily available hence the large elaborate yard. I get it. I love huge operational yards. YUMMY! Just a thought, Remove 1/5th of the turnouts from Youngstown to Sullivan. No, that is not easy, I agree. Once removed redo the yard design in a more abstracted manner. Include the parts you want for operations. A/D, Rip, General Storage ... etc. Run trains in your mind. Run them so much that you get bored. Does everything work the way you feel it should? Great! Continue with your layout. No? hmm, Figure out what is missing. Again, I'm not an expert, if the existing plan works for you - go for it and have a great time. Trainboard is here for you.
Grey One: The software I used to design the layout allows me to run trains and see how things will operate...at least on paper Chris333: As I stated in my pdf, some things had to be "stripped" from the design in order to avoid over trackage on the layout. Cody
If this were my layout I would want some sort of visual separation between the two large yards. Also, your benchwork is 24 inches deep which is good, but depending on the height of the layout, will you be able to reach over all of the foreground tracks to place a car by hand on one of the tracks further back? The older I get, the harder it is for me to easily place cars on my layout, even right at the edge. I would make sure to have plenty of built-in re-railers, unless you plan on leaving all of your freight cars on the layout. PS my last layout is also my first layout!
I don't spaghetti, but I see something screaming out for DCC. To do this with DC is going to be an interesting challenge.
Cody very nice train room 14' x 14' is great space. I like your last layout. IMO I would remove the east side yards and add engine service facilities and more industries on the east side Unless you wish to be a heavy classification yard operation. But it's your MRR so built it as you wish. See ya Ron
I up-loaded a new PDF file today in my original post which I hope will clarify and answer a lot of the questions I have received about the layout. The layout was modified from the previous post. I wish to thank again, everyone who commented and made suggestions. Great site! Cody
Looking good, and yes the computer images show it to be alot less pasta-like than the map view. As I'm finding (and others on the board like Randgust, OC Engineer and others can attest), modelling a prototype can give you a lifetime of modelling opportunities, between the research and the challenges of getting things 'right'. Can't wait to see it unfold and develop!
Hi Dave, Thanks so much for the compliment and I'm glad the new PDF shows things a little better. It is a challange for sure having to have certain things at certain places placed on the layout when trying to convert the prototype to a model. I have recieved a lot of off board emails in addition to the posts on this thread and everyone seems to be into what I'm trying to do and understands the challanges BTW, I took a look at your layout and it's VERY cool! Thanks again, Cody
