i have three plans. (and ill prob change those aint no telling with me ) one i really like the other two i have all the parts to build and they take up less room. but the one that takes the most room l like better . i wish i was better at this stuff. pics 1 thru 3 .. or maybe somebody with better building skill can fix me up sumtin. hahahaha i have made several dozen different plans and nuttin sticks to me like pic #1 all tracks are on 2 foot wide table's except the end's and corners. goal is to use as much track that i have on hand now. witch is pic #2 + or - a few parts . but i like #1 better i just need to buy more parts and that may have to wait a while . im already in the hot water with the misses. my mind says stay with 1 but every time i get settled on one plan , i start reading and seeing everybodys layout s and i get a better idea of how trains work so then i wanna change my plan. its a never ending battle i tell ya and dont get me started on locos . main things i want for sure is at least two tracks running most all the time . then i have yard locos for every thing else. im really starting to see why people have big big layouts it never ends. hahahahahahahah maybe i should just keep it simple for now and add on latter down the road. oh the pain and turmoil hahahahahahaha (how do you guys stay on track with a plan ) or do you ???
IMHO.... Track plans have to 'flow'. I like plan #1. It can actually be done in 'stages'. My thought...take the outside track out and push the 2 remaining tracks out. The crossovers can be put in on just those 2 tracks. Those 2 tracks can still be the 2 mains. Like I say..the yard...the industries. all those spurs...they can be added as you go. Follow the flow of the trains. Dont make them have to do to many moves. As someone on here who works on a 1:1 railroad recently mentioned...Railroads dont like to do to much work...lol You have a plan..stick to it as much as possible. Things will change as you will see things working or not working. Layouts are both easy and hard. Just dont let the original dream change to much. It will drive ya nuts !!! Good luck and keep us posted as you go.
Here is mine... Never really had a written track plan. It was all in my head ! It is pretty much as was planned. It has 2 mains that run trains in both directions. It has a yard for lots of switching. It has numerous industries to switch. It is lots of fun yet not overwhelming. THE WIFE and I have been running it for 7 years. Trains run while we are still doing scenery. Its all fun and will continue to be.
Very nice layout. I like the idea of us kitchen cabinets for the base. Solves the problem of storage and give improves the finish look.
Well I like 2 and 3 but that is my idea not yours. You have to make the decision whether you want a running layout or a switching layout or a combination of the two. Stub end yards increase the switching greatly. You gain some more running room by adding curvatures to your mainlines and scenic divides can be done by application of some low hills to transition from one area to another. Your track radius in the curves will dictate whether you can run large 6 axle power or smaller 4 axle power and shorter cars. Also setting and era of time frame for your layout will dictate cars and motive power. I ultimately settled on a freelance shortline for my layout and a timeline of just after 1940 until 1950.
Will you be able to easily reach the tracks on the backside of the layout? I'm not sure what the depth is. In my case, I figure 28" to be my limit in reach while being able to rerail cars and clean track. My new layout (not yet built) will be 36" deep, so will be on casters so that I can pull it away from the wall when needed.
yes i can reach all areas witch is one reason its planed like it is.. only two spots are 35 inches and thats the corners. those ill have a hard time with but im sure i can manage with a little care. Thank you
I like that too very nice. and i do like the cabnets idea too very smart using those. Also is those lights led strips . i like that idea too very much. Thank You
I've always built layouts in modules. I build what I can with what I have. At first, space was a problem so I built N Trak, but as space became available, I built out from that. If you try to build too much too fast, you won't ever be running trains. The best thing to do is to just start with SOMETHING. You can always add to it later. Build the two end loops, and then add middle pieces as needed, but the most important thing to do is to just start building.
you correct. I think im gunna build with what i have for witch is pic # 2 then later on when i have more $$$$ to throw at it ill build pic #1 from that. I really do like pic #1 best for me get get the most fun for me i think. Im still learning about trains and stuff. so maybe its best i follow that for now. Thank You guys i really appreciate you replies.
