New layout - confusion reigns.

Good day, my name is Daniel/Dan.
By that I mean my name is Daniel but will answer to Dan as well

i have been contemplating a model railroad for some time and it has finally been approved by my much better half.
A basement bedroom has been finagled, seems to be a familiar place to a lot of people around here so hopefully this thread will be a comfortable place

I'm planning an around-the-room type layout incorporating a wooden grain elevator for sure and maybe a mountain.
Well, maybe not a mountain but something of a medium-sized mole hill.
Definitely a little bit of elevation change anyways.

DCC for sure and CPR or CNR as far as loco and rolling stock.
probably both by the time the layout is complete.
I am thinking continuous running with a certain amount of operations. Ill post a pic of the room this weekend.

 

Hey Dan, sounds like you've got a pretty good framework with which to develop your ideas from. Also, just a thought to consider: if you want to get that mountain effect you could always cut the track into the mountain (something I think you could find pretty easily up in the north west) and extend your scenery down below your right of way.

A good layout you might take a look at for some inspiration is this:

[video=youtube;uA5Z6f9BCYI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA5Z6f9BCYI[/video]

Obviously (I presume) it's much bigger than your plans, but I think you'll find elements of just about anything you might be considering

Hope this helps, and be sure to keep us updated on how things go. Is this your first layout, or just your first for a while?

Cheers!

 

Welcome. I wished I had the real estate for an around-room layout. Please post pics of your progress.

 

wow. 3 years in the planning stage alone. Amazing setup.

This will be my first layout ever.
The room is 11'7" x 9'7" but losing 4'4" x 2'4" to a closet I am hoping to use as train staging? I think that's the term?
I'll draw the room out and post it after the move tonight.

Too bad the garage is full of tools and civic.

 

The room is 11'7" x 9'7" but losing 4'4" x 2'4" to a closet on one end
i have a bit of moving to do and then I'll snap a couple pics.

 

Thank you I'll be sure to keep up on the progress reports.

 

Thats what I was thinking, a staging area.
I would like to remove the closet but the carpet is pretty new...
and it may hurt me when my better half sees it lol

 

I am trying to scan a pic on the printer of a layout drawing but I'm a little behind the times sometimes.
Ill keep trying though c

 

Did you mention a wooden elevator?
Here is a wooden export elevator at the Port of Galveston, Texas, photographed in 1899. I copied the photo from an original copy of a book published in 1901 to document the 1900 Galveston hurriane.

 

Had to do it in paint. Haven't used a computer in quite some time.
the layout...

 

thats a large one. I was thinking more like...

 

I agree. Have to slide under the radar until I'm done the framework.

 

I am thinking of getting an NCE Powercab.
I like the fact you can move around with it, and its reasonable price too
I'm assuming that if my locomotive collection gets larger than a couple I will have to add power?

 

The NCE powercab is a 4 amp system, which will be roughly 3-4 trains in N Scale, which is pretty good for a starter set.

In terms of your track plan, I really enjoy working on them and would love to help you design it, if that's alright. Do you know what you are looking at? I see you want some sort of elevation change, are modeling more of a Canadian theme, and want a grain elevator somewhere.. location, perhaps? I assume you're looking for somewhere with some prominent farming. Are you looking at a trackplan that is going to run all the way around the room, a point-to-point, multi-level, loop?
Also, what are your interests? Do you enjoy running large trains, or would you like a switching aspect of it? Do you want industrial areas, or do you want it to be more scenic so you can kick back and watch your models run through your scenery while you work on something on your work bench?

What kind of track do you want to use? There's a ton of different options nowadays!

I don't mean to ask so many questions, but you seem ready to go!

 

The NCE Power Cab is a 2-Amp system.

That said, it will operate 3-4 N-scale locomotives.

- Jeff

 

I am pretty ready to be honest.
The material for the framework is in the garage I always carry a couple of extra sheets of 3/4" plywood.
Any ideas are welcome for sure alexkmmll.

I am thinking atlas 55 track because it seems about the easiest to come by.
Still wondering if the 80 is the wiser choice. I have been thinking powered turnouts as well.
I am planning to use the 3 open walls and the closet. Prairie on one side working into foothills on the other.
I would say mountains but I think foothills sounds more realistic.

I'm not stuck on sticking (nice phrasing hey?) to a prototype railway.
A couple separate longish runs for continuous operating and definitely the grain handling aspect is what I want to see.
Other than that and elevation changes I am flying by the seat of my pants.
From what I read that may not be a good thing when it comes to railways

 

Thank you for the clarification Jeff.