Looking for some help in desgning a layout for may basement. I've been trying to come up with something for quite some time. Not been happy with anything I've been able to come up with. I've got access to 2 rooms in my basement to work with. I've had several layouts before and all were more roundy, round type. Looking for something alot more this time around. I've helped build several other layouts with friends that have been about the size that I'm currently looking at, and now would like to start one for myself. I also will be using Kato Unitrack for it's reliability and prefer to use all #6 turnouts. Below is a current list of locomotives and rolling stock that I have. Passenger Service 1. UP FEF + 2 Water Tenders + 7 Passenger Cars (Kato UP Excution Set) (Pre-Ordered) 2. UP E9 ABBA + 11 Passenger cars 3. UP E9 ABBA + 11 Passenger Cars 4. UP E9 ABBA + 12 Passenger Cars 5. Alaska E9 ABA + 10 Passenger Cars 6. C&NW E9 AA + 10 Passenger Cars 7. Illinois Central E9 ABA + 10 Passenger Cars 8. VIA E9 AA + 10 Passenger Cars 9. SP GS-4 + 18 Passenger Cars 10. SP E8A & PB-1 ABBA + 18 Passenger Cars 11. ATSF F7 ABBA + 12 Passenger Cars (SC) 12. D&RGW F3 AA + 11 Passenger Cars (CZ) 13. WP F3 ABBA + 11 Passenger Cars (CZ #2) Freight Service UP SD70Ace x 2 + 40 Coal Cars UP SD70Ace x 2 + 30 Intermodel UP SD70Ace x 2 + 30 Intermodel UP SD90/43MAC x 3 + 40 Mixed Freight Wish List 1. 2-3 levels 2. Must be either walk-in or have lift-out for access. (Not getting any younger.) 3. (3) Passenger stations (1 main station and 2 smaller urban stations). 4. (2) Intermodel Yards (1 Large, 1 Small) 5. Coal Power Station 6. Coal Mine 7. Passenger Coach Yard (Must be at least large enough for what I currently have.) 8. Freight Yard (Prefere to be quite large as I'm always buying more.) 9. Locmotive Facilities (Large enough for what I have and then some.) 10. Roundhouse 11. Several Small freight for light switching Current buildings to be re-used. 1. Walthers Backshop 2. Walthers Car shop 3. Walthers Machine Shop 4. Wlathers New River Mining 5. Kato 2 stall engine shop (Might not use) 6. Kato turntable (Roundhouse will be added later) 7. Kato (3) station platforms As you can see, I've got quite a mix here but the focus will be on Passenger service and will be completely Freelance. I'll more than likely will add to the passenger fleet. My main goals are for operations for 4-5 people per session or more with the ability to just let them run for the grand kids. Attached a room layout along with the Anyrail file. Notice the upper right corner has a closet for the water main. must be able to access if needed. View attachment Basement Layout Floor Plan.any Please help. Thanks Richard
Richard, That is quite a wishlist! And quite a nice space. I am jealous. How do you envision level changes? Long gradual grades (with scenery to match), or a helix? How much space between levels (i.e., how much operations and or scenery do you want)? Do you want to leave some work space, or fill up the area with layout (and space to move)? I would envision the right hand area being a single/dual level peninsula, to provide access into room and to water heater, with the left hand side being around the room, maybe with a peninsula curving out into the middle of the room, from the lower right. You can have two reversing loops on the main level (one on each side), and then decide on other reversing for the extra levels. How big do you want your main passenger station? With my recent FreeMoN module, I created a full size suburban station that is approximately 10 feet long -- it can hold a full named train (ok, the full 18 car Daylight still doesn't fit). You have the room to create something similar, which gives quite a bit of "wow factor", but also becomes quite addictive concerning detailing (amazing when you drop out compression). One doesn't need to go full scale-sized, but bigger than most of what is seen (where the trains extend well beyond the scene if stopped at station). Do you want any "empty country" running areas? Lots of questions, lots of ideas....
Thanks, I think the size of the space is kind of making it so hard on me, I think because I'm trying to do everything TOO big. To answer your questions, First I would prefere a long gradual grade with scenery to match as I feel it looks better, but won't count out a helix. Space between levels would depend on depth of each level. Guessing at least 12" between levels. Don't need a work space as I've got a garage just off the bottom of the drawing. Also have a separate office. Just to make sure you understand, The door in the top right side is nothing but access to the water shutoff valve (12" x 24" Closet), in 13 years in the house, Only had to get in there twice. The main passenger station should be large enough for a full passenger train. Maybe not the daylight 18-car, I hardly ever run it that long. I would like it to be the main focus of the layout. I really like what you did on yours and would like to do something similar. Was thinking of using the Walthers Union Station for the main station with 4-6 tracks and the kato modern station for the smaller stations. The other main focus I would like would be the locomotive facilities. I love the idea of displaying my locomotives on the layout ready to run at a moments notice. Don't like the way I do it now. When I want to run a certain train, I have to pull it from storage and put it on the layout. to give you an idea of the type of scenery I'm thinking of here a link to "The New Oakland Sub" http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?99466-The-New-Oakville-Sub&highlight=oakland+sub. I just love the looks of this layout between the scenery and double track and would love to do something similar. Also want to make clear that this will be DCC using digitrax. Will also be signaling the layout along with lighting in the buildings and along streets. Love the questions and Ideas, keep them coming. Thanks Richard
Here's a copy of the latest version that I have. Not really happy with it at all. View attachment 0000-Richard Basement Layout - 04.any Thanks Richard
6. Kato turntable (Roundhouse will be added later) Unless you are cramped for space...which I see you arent...i wouldnt use Katos small turntable. With what you envision...I would be on the lookout for a Walthers 130' turntable. Trim the plastic trackbed off about 1/4 inch of track and the Unitrack is an easy fit on the pit wall. Walthers made a DC one...which I use. The indexing works great...and the table is big enough for diesels anyways. That FEF and massive tender most likely WONT fit on any table made...lol. They also made a DCC one...which I hear is sweet !! JMO....YMMV
I like the yard/roundhouse level, but not so much the main line level. Would need to study it more I spent a little bit of time trying to come up with a good station plan, and came up with this (no benchwork shown, but you can extrapolate). The 180 deg double main segment at upper right is just to get an idea if you want to do a dog bone reverse loop, rather than around the wall with gate. This gives you access to the right, doesn't block the water heater, and you can configure the left hand room however you want. Doesn't match with what you've done, of course, but food for thought. If you want the station to be the "center piece", put it where folks see it first!
Jims layout is pretty awesome. I for one am really jealous of those long...wide...sweeping turns he has...wowsa !!!!
Aw Geez! (Blush!) Thanks for the kind words. I hate to rain on your parade but it's gonna be tough to do what you want in the space you have. You'll need to use that entire long run for the station you envision - unless you're gonna curve the tracks in the station which is not all that prototypical. And one of the things that makes the OakVILLE Sub what it is, is the scenery to track ratio. And to do that you need space. Lots. You have made it a two level layout, pretty much a must given the space you have, and that lower level should make room for lots of staging, which with the rolling stock listed will be needed unless you want to spend your time packing and unpacking. I won't comment on the Unitrack - it is good, got some for a grandson last year and was impressed - but would still go with ME flex and my trackwork is pretty bulletproof. George is the expert there, I think. He's certainly used a lot of it! Good luck to you - I'll be following with interest!
This is an option, I knew the FEF would not fit on the Kato turntable, nor would the GS-4 and had been considering other options. But both would fit on a 130' walthers turntable as the FEF is just shy of 115' and the GS-4 is aprox. 110' Thanks Richard
I knew someone was going to "rain on my parade" :rats: (JK.) While I have no doubt that I won't be able to do everything I wish to.... I do believe that I should be able to accomplish many of them. As for the Oakville Sub. I agree, I don't have the space to do what you have, I think I can take some of the elements and incorporate them into a much smaller area and get some of the same feel. While I have started with 2 levels, I'm not opposed to adding a third level If I can still accomplish most of my goals. I also agree that ME Flex really would be the way to go, I've had some really bad luck with it. Not with ME Flex, Just Flex in general. Never been able to get it to work right and did nothing but cause frustration on my part. Almost to the point of giving up on modeling completely. but after finding unitrack and seeing first hand what can be done with it, I feel it's the best for me. Thanks Richard
Richard , I think you are on the right track (so to speak). You will love Unitrack and the layout plan is really user friendly. Mike
QUOTE=fifer;1007743]Richard , I think you are on the right track (so to speak) you will love Unitrack and the layout plan is really user friendly. Mike[/QUOTE] Thanks Mike, It great hearing from you. You and your layout have been a great inspiration for me. It was your layout that got me interested in unitrack and showed me that it can be used to make a great layout. I always look forward to seeing your updates. And can only hope that mine will look half as good as yours. Thanks Richard
Thanks Mike, It great hearing from you. You and your layout have been a great inspiration for me. It was your layout that got me interested in unitrack and showed me that it can be used to make a great layout. I always look forward to seeing your updates. And can only hope that mine will look half as good as yours. Thanks Richard[/QUOTE] Thanks Richard , I am sure that layout you are working on will be a winner. I love the plan and will enjoy seeing the progress. Mike
Yup. It's always interesting follow how plans evolve to construction phase, and then move ahead from there.
