I am getting ready to set up a 4' by 8' HO layout in a second bedroom, and I have drawn up some track plans that I think might fit my needs. I am a beginner in the hobby, so I wanted to ask if anybody could take a look at the plans and warn me about anything I may have overlooked. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
Nice layout to begin with. i don't know if u know this but i will mention it for the newbees. If u can't walk around the layout to be able to access it within arms reach, make sure u make a popout access hatch that is big enough for u to turn around in. Also when u have a long tunnel make sure u can access the track easily by removing the tunnel. It never fails, your train will derail inside the tunnel and it makes cleaning the track much easier
Dave, Can you use entire room? If you can... you could have an around the wall type and still use bedroom as bedroom. There were several series of articles in MR about bedroom layouts.
This looks like a nice simple plan, good for a beginner like you! Just remember that your reversing loop will require some extra wiring to make it work properly. Just about any book on model railroad wiring will show you how to do it. Pat
OK, a few thoughts: 1.) Tunnel is long. Can you break it up, make it shorter? If not, at least make it so the top can be removed. 2.) The canyon at left... not really enough room there for more than an arroyo. You can either go with that, or, change it to something else, like a road underpassing the tracks, or something. (In other words I think that your canyon will end up looking much smaller than you imagine it to be.) 3.) The track from bottom right to top left. This is a reverce loop, requiring special electrical wiring. Just in case you were not aware of this. === On a side note, you can get much more railroading out of the same surface area by unfolding the plywood along the walls. The down side is that you loose the continuous run provision. Best of luck!
First off - there is something to be said for a walk around island 4x8 - it's less intimidating that going around the room, and is quicker to get going. In your case you have a wall on two sides - this make reaching the back track - and back turnout difficult. The track plan itelf is good. I'm not sure if the passing siding is needed - the turnout from the return loop and the track to the industry spur provide the same purpose. Add a branch into the upper left - it can act as an interchange with the 'rest of the world'
Murphy's law says that the one and only turnout that will ever give you trouble on that layout design will be the one at the back that you can't reach. Why not move the turnout that is against the wall to become a curved one in the upper left hand corner of the plan, this would let you keep basically the same track design but with all the turnouts easily accessible? As has been said before, you will need to have some way of accessing the rest of the layout as well, or Murphy will ensure that your trains will derail there for no apparent reason! All the best with your efforts! [ 01. November 2002, 13:36: Message edited by: Martyn Read ]
Thanks to everybody for the helpful feedback. That was my first post here, and it proved to be quite useful. I've revised my plans based on most of the advice I have been given. I have enough room to slide the long end of the table out from the wall, allowing me access to the backside turnout and also the tunnel. Unfortunately, I cannot use the whole second bedroom for my layout. I changed the 'canyon' to a 'stream', and also I removed the unnecassary passing siding to allow for what I consider a more realistic layout. Maybe the industrial spur track will be a future extension for a yard off to the left of the layout. I might have enough room to build on of those. I don't know if I have enough room to tunnel the spur underneath the curve or not, maybe I'll leave that for another day. Ok enough blabbering. I've got a lot of candy in me from halloween and I'm pretty awake this morning. Here's a picture of the new layout which I hopefully can start making this weekend. Thanks again for the feedback
You're welcome Dave. Don't forget to let us know how the project is coming along. All the best. [ 01. November 2002, 15:28: Message edited by: Martyn Read ]
Dave Have you thought of a scenic divide which would sort of diagonally seperate your city from the rural. Also I would add another siding stub end track beside the first one in the city. Also another stub ended track along the right hand side of the diagnol track, in the rural area, perhaps servicing a small company or RR maintance station. Both would provide a little bit more switching action.
I'd echo Rick's comments. Those additions would add some more operational interest. BTW like your changes re the tunnel. The cuts approaching it are more prototypical as well as adding easier access. Win-win! On the stream, how does it cross the track at the top left? culvert? Or is the track on a trestle? You have no bridge or structure built there now, so I was just wondering. Nice work!
If you are motivated to start building this weekind I say go for it! Yes there is room for some more sidings but you can add those later. Go on, build it! (And post us a picture OK?)
RE Later Modification. Yeah, you probably will alter it later anyway. Here are some tips to make it easier to make mods: 1.) Ballast *lightly* and with *white* glue. Biggest trouble with removing track is when it is over ballasted, or when the ballast is done with yellow carpenter's glue, which can't be softened with water. 2.) In places where you think you may want sidings later, put down either construction or butcher's paper. Then whatever scenery you have there will be easy to remove to make way for new roadbed and sidings. Good luck, and I second the call for pictures, if you can!
