Hey folks, I have a great idea. Let's all build a layout. We could all help decide on a track plan, and in time, I will build it and post pics here. Here's the plan: I am building a new home due to be finished in the fall of this year, and I got permission from the local USRA office (the wife) to use one of the rooms for a new layout. It will be a rectangular 13' X 10' room, with no window or closet. There are a few things that will have to be considered though. 1. I model N&W steam era, coal trains and passenger. I already own two J class 4-8-4s, one 2-8-8-2, one Bershire 2-8-4(ex NKP), and one NKP Mikado 2-8-2. I also have one GP9 and one SW9 in N&W paint for possible use, though I truly love big steam. 2. The layout will need to be continous run of some sort, as the little ones in the family just don't get that point to point, switching stuff (though I love it). 3. Most of my rolling stock consists of N&W coal hoppers and passenger equipment. 4. I plan on using Lenz DCC, as I've ran this before, and the system is SO NICE. Obviously, by the equipment roster, this will have to be an Appalachian type RR, including a coal route, passenger depots, with bigger curve radii due to the larger equipment. I'm thinking of naming it The Norfolk & Way (say it fast). The challenge will be fitting all this into such a relatively small room. Did I mention, this will be my first time building a full layout? If you have the Model Railroad Planning 2001, you can see a nice layout on page 24, the Boston & Maine- Western Route by Mike Hamer. I like his sweeping mainline, luscious scenery and hidden staging. What do ya think?
Oops, hehe. I guess that would help. You guessed right, HO scale. If I had known the limited space I would be working with when I finally got the chance to build a working layout, I would've started aquiring equipment in N scale. But I'd wager that many of us have said that before.
It is difficult to design a railroad in a forum. It is easier to have a person submit a layout for critique. What I am doing is looking for some layouts in MR, MRP, GMR that I could recommend to you to look at and modify to suit you. I am in the process of doing that now.
Thanks RSN. I thought it would be a unique idea to get group input on the design of a layout, perhaps the first one designed and built by several people whom never met in person. I have a few ideas, but I'm not that experienced in layout design. I know I want to run Powhattan passenger trains, coal drags, and have switching problems, even maybe a connection to the Virginian RR so I can rebadge an Allegheny. I've thought about a port layout with a coal dock, but can't figure out how to fit in some passenger traffic, and there's always the inherent problem of staging. That's why I really like the looks of Mike Hamer's layout with the around the backdrop staging, except that much of the mainline is hidden. A port or dockside yard with a coal dock such as Walther's kit, on one end would be good switching fun, and give me a destination for the coal drags. I also have a railcar ferry unbuilt I could use to send cars across the bays of Virginia. But the passenger traffic? Not to mention being able to have some sort of continuous run to keep the little one (and inexperienced guests) entertained. Which is why I am looking for suggestions .
One of my favourite plans for a room approximately your size is from Model Railroad Planning (MRP) 1996. This plan is the Virginian & Ohio's Muddlety Creek branch starting on page 48. In this issue of MRP, a series was done on bedroom size layouts (11 by 11). This plan is easily modifiable by you. The plan has both continous running and good switching possibilities. Its negative is that there is a bit of hidden track. Also remember you can use another level underneath the layout to set up some additional staging. In this plan you might have to reduce the lenght of the peninsula by about 4 to 6 inches so that you have a decent aisle width where the peninsula comes close to the other side of the layout. The next two layouts are other suggested uses of peninsula's in an area your size. Both plans are easily modifiable. In MRP 2000 on page 78 you will see the layout plans for the Moraga Springs Northern and in the MRP 1997 you will see on page 81 another peninsula plan. Again this plan would be easy to modify for something in your size. These three plans should get your creative juices flowing. On the 13 foot side, you have enough room for a peninsula. Remember to add a view block down the middle of it, as in the first plan above, and it will "extend" visually the size of your layout.
I know I've been quiet on this thread - thanks Rick - that was the same plan I was thinking of when I read the original post. I didn't want to post anything until I had a chance to look it up.
One last recommendation; I couldn't find it at the time I suggested the other layouts. There is a layout designed by Eric Hansmann in the MRP 2001 on pp. 52-53. This layout is the Baltimore & Ohio RR. It has a lower level for staging underneath the primary deck.
I did like that particular plan also. I am currently trying to figure out a good way to use double track mainline, with a stretch of triple track (ala N&W) climbing a grade.
