Terrain Input

Hi guys. I'm looking for some input on the terrain of my layout. Particularly on the left side of the layout (on the plan) near the coal mine. What are your feelings about having hills/mountains between the edge of the layout and the mainline track?

I'm installing 8-12" tall hills/mountain edges along the backdrop, and I'd like to replicate a this look on the fascia side of the tracks with a 4-5" foothill. When I mock this up on my layout, you really get a sense the trains are traveling through a valley. I'm considering adding a small stream between the tracks and the fascia hill for added interest. The only downside is the view block this creates as the track is at a height of 51" from the floor. That can be a positive or negative I suppose. I do like the idea of having to move to a couple of locations to watch trains pass in a mere 8' distance. It may make the layout seem a bit larger as well. Can anyone provide any input on the positives and negatives of this approach? Thanks.

Layout Plan - Coal Mine is on the left side


Conceptual 3D layout - The actual hills are taller

 

I like the hill on the corner, but I think the hill directly in front of the coal loadout may be a bit bothersome when switching and uncoupling cars. If you put trees on top of it, it is going to take an awkward reach to get work done.

 

I think you'd be better off to go just the opposite; drop the hill on the 'inner' side away from the backdrop, like the line was clinging to an excavated shelf on the side of the mountain, with it dropping away from the track. That gives just as good a reason for the "S" curve; following the mountain contours.

If you want a stream, it can be downhill from the track a bit.

The real upside on this is photography. With scenery 'below the track' the impact is much better than if all scenery is above the track. I really on did this on a couple spots on my layout, and I wish I'd done much more because the overall impact is so dramatic.

Your backdrop split is very good, wouldn't change a thing there. But like the man says, working over top of a hill is no particular fun, even for something as boring as cleaning track, let alone switching.

 

In Model Railroad Planning 2011 issue there;s an article about a layout with mountains on the aisle side of the layout, making a canyon a operator looks down into for the track passing along that part of the layout. Steep wall mountains, at that. You can look that up for ideas.

 

Having slept on this one, I'm thinking more in line with what Karl and randgust have mentioned in their posts. The railroad rests on top of 2" of foam, so I can carve that away between the track and layout edge to give the appearance of the mountain/hill continuing downward. It's been a while, but I seem to remember tearing out a hill in the past because it caused too much visual interference. Thanks for the feedback. Hopefully I'll have some terrain carving photos to share this weekend.

Dave

 

I really like your track plan!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

If the 4 tracks at the back are staging... I would suggest some crossovers before and after the yard so any train can reach any track. Just a suggestion. Otherwise, the track plan looks good. Should be a lot of fun!!! JMS

 

Sent you a PM on your layout. Let me know. Thanks!!

 

I really like your layout plan and your work with the planning software is great something I've always had problems with and have never come out that well

 

Thanks guys. bigslick69 - I sent you a PM as well with info.

subwayaz - This plan uses the free software SCARM. I've taken a liking to it, and find it effective for planning track layouts with N scale Unitrack. I haven't tried any of its other track databases as of yet.

Dave