Another layout design review.

jkristia May 31, 2001

  1. jkristia

    jkristia TrainBoard Member

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    Hi all.

    It has been a while since I had my last design posted for critique, and a lot has changed since. Actually I have made a completely new design. This time it is a 2 1/5 time around the wall with 2 levels against one wall. I realized that the previous design was way to ambitious for a beginner like me (had my last model train 15 years ago), so this time I have tried to make it kind of modular. Phase 1 will be modules 1 and 2, which are the upper level plan (layout5_upper.jpg). Phase 2, the lower level is not completely designed yet, and may change many times before I have finished phase 1, but I think it is important to start out with something that is of a modest size so there is at least a part of the layout that is complete and can be used for running trains.

    I am planning on running DCC.

    The plan is here http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/jkristia, click layout and it’s layout5_upper and layout5_lower.

    Any critique / comments of mainly the upper part will be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance.
    Jesper
     
  2. my UP

    my UP E-Mail Bounces

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    Jesper,

    Nice track plan. I assume (dangerous I know) that if you are going to start with the upper level that you will operate it as a switching layout.

    In the overall plan you clearly have plenty of room for mainline running. Good for long trains.

    What is the theme for your layout and how do you plan to operate it? these answers will help us better be able to give you advice.

    Scot
    [​IMG]
     
  3. jkristia

    jkristia TrainBoard Member

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    I havne't decided for a theme yet, actually I can't even decide for a time period. I will most likely run diesels, but would also like to run steam. That puts me in the 50's, 60's timeframe I guess. I definitely want mountains, lots of them. I had imagined module 2 to be a mountain module (with the coalmine), and I had imagined module 1 being a city / industry scene, so I don't know if I need a view block between module 1 and 2, but I figured that I would find out when I get to it.

    But right now I haven't decided anything, and am open for suggestions, and might change my mind many times before it's done.

    Jesper
     
  4. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    Might I suggest building module 2 first? I make this suggesting for two reasons. First is the less complicated trackage will make the construction go faster. And second, you won't be able to work the Module 1 yard without a module attached to it. (You could just stick a 5 foot yard lead on the end, but it would be more fun to have a sceniced section to use.)

    Speaking of yard leads - this is the one place I think your plan is lacking. As a lone wolf running the RR all by yourself this is not a big deal, you can go ahead and use the main, but as soon as you have a mate over, you will find your switchers getting in the way of the main line trains.

    Speaking of yard design, Craig Bisgeier has a great article on the web about Model Railroad Yard Design it's a great read.
     
  5. rsn48

    rsn48 TrainBoard Member

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    Good link...I bookmarked it Rob...thanks!
     
  6. yankinoz

    yankinoz TrainBoard Member

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    The rest of Craig's site is interesting as well - he doesn't have a link to his opening page from the yard design page so here is
    http://www.housatonicrr.com
     

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