Planning my new layout in a 14 inch by 5 foot space. What do you think of the track plan? I want to do this right which is why I'm taking it slow on the building. I am set on the size though. The layout has what I want but seems a bit crowded in the center. I'm planning on designing or have already designed most of the structures for 3D printing. 1. 5-inch Turntable 2. Two Stall Roundhouse 3. Fuel and Sand 4. Gravel Company. (Converted Walthers Coaling Tower) 5. Team Track and RIP Track. 6. Yard Tower 7. Intermodal Crane 8. Float Apron 9. Removable Car float
I like it! Since you are tight for space, look at the Tomix/Tomytec 2 stall Engine house. Also, look up the Mississippi River & Bonne Terre RR. They used a car float on the Mississippi River for decades and there are lots of pics to draw from. Would a forklift give you more space for your Intermodal loading/unloading area?
Is this plan based on the timesaver puzzle, it looks similar? I am doing a very basic version and like the idea of adding an engine house and turntable as you have.
I didn't base this off any plan. I wanted the turntable and roundhouse for sure. Started with those and just added track until I got the plan.
Definitely like the track plan. Plenty of switching options in a small space. Are you planning to use unitrack, atlas 55 or scratch build? Good luck and happy modeling. Please keep this thread updated with your progress. Bob Shaffer
I like seeing how your track is at angles to the benchwork sides. Too many people do the bland, time worn, following the straight line design.
Going to use Atlas Code 80. I have a bunch of it already, so cost is low on the few pieces I need. Would have liked to go with code 55 but the turnouts are to long to work a small layout.
Modified the design a bit. I like this plan more than the last. Added the following: 10. Freight Depot possibly on a wooden dock to allow boats to dock when car float is gone. 11. Possible Lighthouse
So would you be using the long spur by 10 & 11 for your intermodal with this variant? Also, [since I run steam, I notice this stuff] will the 5" turntable be large enough for future locomotives? Also, I can totally envision this similar to the South Shore Line using electric motors.
#7 is the intermodal. The turntable is small and it does limit what I can run but I'm willing to live with this. I have a several locos that will work with the turntable. Some will have the couplers overhang the track but all the wheels will still be on the turntable track. I have a small Bachmann DCC-sound steam that will work as well.
Is your intermodal crane wide enough to span two tracks and a truck chassis? I think the Walthers MI-Jack is. Their photo shows two tracks and a lane wide enough for a truck chassis between them. A double track intermodal facility would be more likely to use a specialized crane like that. Smaller, single track facilities would more likely use smaller, less expensive equipment (large, modified forklift, like the Kato one.) Space for temporarily storing some containers onsite is very common too.
I'm going to be designing most of my structures myself to make them fit. Crane covers one track and a lane for a truck. It, the turntable and car float and apron are already designed. N Scale Intermodal Crane by ajkochev - Thingiverse Rest is here: Designs - Thingiverse
This is looking really nice. I keep forgetting 11 is a possible lighthouse and think it is a fuel tank/depot.
Due to the way the layout will be and the equipment underneath I had to go in a different direction with the track plan, had to flip it, I still love it though. I have the frame built and I'm starting the construction. I'll post an update with more photos hopefully in the coming week. New track plan.
"It's Alive!" Over the past month and a half, I've been building the base and collecting and installing electrical components. Christmas needed me wires, connectors and power adapters. Layout Design: - The layout will be entirely self-contained for portability and storage with a lid and able to be closed on all sides. - Only the front and top will be open and have a lid that will double as a over the layout lighting. - Micro PC has a full Wi-Fi networking to my home network but also runs an separate ad hoc Wi-Fi network with DHCP server for a couple older phones for throttles and a kindle that will run the main control panel in JMRI. - JMRI on the micro-PC will be the main control of the layout using DCC-EX and a couple other Arduinos for accessories - Micro PC is scripted when turned on to login automatically and scripted to start the ad hoc network and DHCP server and JMRI. While I can RDP into the PC if needed the layout will be headless (no monitor, keyboard and mouse). - Large storage drawer for devices and cables. Smaller storage drawer for some rolling stock.
