My first layout was a learning process pretty simple layout and limited as far as running trains. I am thinking of a new layout a little bigger with more operations. This is a preliminary layout I am putting up for discussion and improvement be fore I start. I still have my first layout to fool around with so I am in no hurry just want to get it right,no particular railroad I am modeling after just want to set it up in the late 50s to early 60s. So here it is for your scrutany and suggestions.
What's the point of having a double mainline all the way around except the lower left side of the layout? This eliminates 2 train continuous running.
A few thoughts to start off. First, as noted in the prior post, you don't have two complete loops, which I assume was your intention. Second, the long sidings going up and over the mainline means they will have to be on a grade, which makes it kind of hard to store rolling stock. That is, unless you'd intended to run the mainline on a grade, in which case I think the grades might be a bit steep. If you have any desire to operate trains at all other than run laps, then the single crossover in the front will not be enough. In general, the layout doesn't seem to offer much in the way of options for running or operation. You may want to elaborate on what it is you hope to accomplish with this layout, and what sort of goals you have for how it might be run.
Revised layout two complete loops, loops will be on grade over sidings. I cant get all the dims. to stay on the drawing so the back is 84" + the 16" the front is 64" the leftside is 36" and the right side is 15".
John, it appears that you have less than 36" from the crossover to where the loops would need to be 2" above the sidings, that would be about a 6% grade, which may or may not be excessive depending upon your engines and the lengths of your trains. You could have your double loop and the lumbar yard / freight station all at a 2" elevation and move the LH turnout that exits the main to the sidings to just after the LH turnout to the lumbar yard and then you would have enough distance to get the grade to about 2%.
John, On the lower left, you have a left hand turnout coming off of the inner loop to get to the sidings. This is the LH turnout that would need to be moved to the upper center, just to the left of the LH turnout that goes to the lumbar yard. You would then run track from it paralleling the inner loop but on a down grade until it reaches the entrance to the sidings.
John, Yep, that is what I was thinking. And if that new loop does not add up to 100", you could shift both of the upper left hand turnouts even further to the right. The center to center distance of this new track looks a little close to the inner loop but that is just some fine tuning.
This is going great so far being I am still new to this I will take any constructive help I can get keep it coming.
Well, I do not mean to sound demeaning in any way, but all I see are two loops and a few sidings, and I can't evaluate the plan and make recommendations if I don't know what your intentions and desires may be. You mentioned in your initial post that you wanted to expand operations, but the term "operation" can mean very different things to different people. What does it mean to you? If you just want to run two trains on laps, and push a few cars back and forth on the sidings, that's perfectly OK, but I can tell you it can get old pretty quickly, and your current plan doesn't offer anything in the way of logical or realistic operating challenges--not to mention there are a number of technical flaws (multiple S-turns, potentially excessive grades, etc.) that could diminish your enjoyment. If you could spend some time thinking about your modeling goals, and share them with us, it would help us help you get the most out of your layout.
Well I dont know very much about the hobby have not had trains since I was about 10 years old. I am trying to come up with a decent layout in a confined space. I like freight trains and would like to do some running of trains and some switching and if there is other things I can do I am all for it. Iguess what I am looking for is suggestions. Thanks for your interest.
I can not agree with David Smith, more. Call it tough love. You are making what is know as a 'roundy-round' layout. The only real railroads which go in circles are some subways (NYC IRT makes a loop back uptown at South ferry (bottom of Manhattan)and goes north), trolley systems around cities and/or some light-rail transit (Portland, Oregon). Johne, what Dave and I and a hundred others are thinking: If he wants 'ops' then why doesn't he investigate the myriad of 'how to' MRR books, Mags. and the vast amount of MRRing knowledge in this very forum before settling on something ? Real RRs run 'point to point' meaning they originate at a certain place, travel to its end(s) through and past stations, yards and industries then use either a turntable (with/without roundhouse and facilities), a wye, or a balloon track (large loop around a yard/ terminal to turn whole passenger trains [Penn Sta.] and sometimes just locos) to head back. You do not have to comply with this. It's your RR ! But, if you can, see if you can perhaps split your bench lengthwise and have about a 2'x 8' bench and come up with something you are less less likely to become bored or frustrated with (short, double main line and too steep grades to expect easy train performance over). Mark
I'm afraid you're tinkering with a track plan that is frankly going nowhere very quickly, when your time could be better spent learning more about model railroading. There are books, online resources, and forums like this one where you can come to understand what model railroading is all about. As it stands, you're just floundering, and my fear is you'll settle on something and quickly find it isn't very satisfying. Placing the cart before the horse (designing a layout without a basic understanding of the hobby) is not the best way to get started, IMO.
I am trying to come up with a layout that will keep the interest of my grandchildren who are 4 years old and I dont think a train going back and forth on a shelf is going to do it. I am not looking for real world just something to keep the kids occupied for awhile when they are here with me. I appreciate your concern and thank you I will do some more reading and try to make improvements to a layout like this maybe not this one work, so any other help will be appreciated.
Ah, now we're getting somewhere. At the outset it sounded as if you were building this for yourself, and wished to raise the challenge for yourself. This changes the game altogether. And so I might suggest cutting way back on all of those sidings (perhaps just keep a few just to store whole trains not being used), and instead add a third loop. Doubtful that 4-year-olds will have much interest in working lumber yards and such...
Actually, 4 yr olds get bored with watching trains run in circles. My 4 yr old grandson tired of it quickly and started to stop the train at various locations to 'pickup cookies' and then run the train to somewhere else to deliver the cookies. He can't spot cars without assistance but I know he likes to change cars so that he can pickup people instead of cookies.
