Hey guys, im working on a track layout for a 3x10 ish area in N scale. Will be modeling modern day BNSF and the Amtraks Heartland flyer in Oklahoma. My main goal is to have great mainline running with long trains. I also want a fair size yard for switching and a spur line. This is the first version i've come up with. The purple spur coming off the blue line will dive down and go underneath the main deck for a hidden staging area. Im currently working on redrawing this so that the yard is in the front for easier access and the purple spur descending through the deck will be more hidden. Please feel free to give advice. This is my first try using SCARM and first try making my own track layout.
Ok folks i've been busy working on my V 2.0 today. I haven't done elevations yet on it but here is the 2D layout. I put the yard on the front side for better access. Took waves out of the track, except the teal spur that will follow a small river/stream and eventually cross over it just before getting to the industry. The Purple spur is now in the back and will be all but hidden as it descends underneath the board to a staging area. I made the overall board a little longer and as a result added another (pink) spur/siding to another possible industry. I used all Atlas Code 55 track. The double cross over in the back is from a custom design i found using multiple switches and a crossing. Im feeling pretty good about this general layout but im sure theres things to fine tune?
I once tried to imagine a 3x4 “Oklahoma” layout. I tried to make track due double duty- maybe even triple. Passing siding with two dead-end spurs beside it "suggested" a yard from one side-- but looked like passing siding disappearing under an overpass and around corner on the other.
Will this be against a wall? Or free standing? If against a wall, three feet might be a reach, and you'll be rubbing across scenery, etc, in the front. Also, you might look at varying one straight stretch with a gentle curve. To get away from the round and round race track "paperclip" effect.
As long as he's willing to use a small step stool I think 3' reach won't be a big problem for stall outs or derails. But for scenicing or realigning track, structures this would be a bit of a hassle. And ,yes, I am skeptical of the paper clip shape. I wonder whether or not 'flysoon' has enough room to unfold this track by opening the east or west main curve and 'pulling' the lower out to make an L shaped bench. Still could create a return loop/staging area at one end have a stub-terminal at opposite end with a small engine facility and yard. No turntable or wye needed as is all diesel. The L shape will then be like 1.5' wide and walk around instead or having to view main and yard at back of bench ( unless it's free standing ). ....Mark
Hey guys, thanks for the comments so far. To answer a few question it will be against a wall, i plan on having it on castors to allow for it to be pulled out from the wall when i have to. As for the long straight sections on the mainline im not overly thrilled about it although in all honesty its pretty protypical of Oklahoma. I dont really want to give up my 18.5'' curves because someday when i have enough rolling stock id like to run real nice long trains. I have redesigned the yard today and added another industry spur. Let me know what you think.
I've made a couple changes off of advice from another forum. Made my engine yard (gray) longer. Also made mini yards at each of the industries. Added another siding at the oil refinery as well. I feel like theres still a lot of open space on my layout that i dont know if it should be used or not. How much spacing should i have between scenes on a mostly flat layout?
Open space can be good especially since you like Loooong drags. I'll admit to having "overbuilt" and redoing to add open space.
Got my first locomotive today at a train show. Atlas SF GP-38. Plan on this being my main yard switcher and to run some locals.
Well yeah the double crossover is indeed 4 switches with a crossing. Atlas doesn't make a double crossover that i know of.
Ok folks, i've done yet another complete rework of a possible design. Tried messing around with an L shape. Would likely be done in two phases with phase one being the top to bottom oriented leg that includes the yard. Would possibly even complete the loops temporarily to allow main line running while the entire phase is detailed. Then phase two would be the long mainline runs with multiple industry spurs and the larger turn around at the end. I have greatly increased the size of my yard and a great long A/D track to go with it. Pretty excited the potential this shape gives me and would allow for me to build it in phases easier. This yard would give me 236'' of yard ladder (not including the pink grain sidings) and 40'' of Engine Sidings. What do yall think?
