I have a new design for you folks to rip & tear apart. I need all the advice I can get. For starters, it will be N scale, modular, 40" high, 18x48" modules, equaling a space about 16x7 feet. Control will be DCC, min rad 20", min turnout, #5 in sidings, and #7 in mains and yards, minimum. Atlas code 55 track, and Peco turnouts will be used, laid on WS foam bed. Scenery base and track base will be 2" foam, max grade to be 2%. Slight superelevation on curves, and easements for all curves. Drawing is not to scale, and portrays WIDE sweeping curves, which is my goal, for smooth running of 89' cars, and modern 6-axle locos. I appreciate the help all you veteran modelers have given, and will give. Thanks in advance!!! In my signature is the link to my web-album, with the pic. It's ~170K, and if some one could post it here, that'd simplify things for everyone! It is the 'Layout 2_1' int he the Projects & Trains folder.
Not bad I'm not wild about having two separate lines running thru the same scene unless the prototype did it, but that looks like it'll be a nice heavy-duty railroad Can I bring my trains over for a run day? *lol* jk.
Tehchapi Loop comes to mind.... Anyways I want a long mainline run, and still run long 30+ car trains, without chasing it's tail. Where's the fun in that? Does anyone else see a problem with the main looping over itself for a longer run? I like how it will climb to higher elevations, and simulate a longer run.
I don't really dislike the looped-over-itself mainline, as it does serve a valuable purpose... but the "realistic scene" effect is cut somewhat. Overall, I'd say the plan looks good
Go for it. The tehchapi loop isn't the only prototype that looped over itself. There's another loop in Canada somewhere. And I hear NS has some kind of loop (or is it a helix going up a mountain?)in the Carolinas somewhere. Remember, it's your railroad so do what you want to do.
I know of a prototype location you could use for this. In San Bernardino, California there are two yards at a 90 degree angle to each other. The top leg of your layout looks like one of the yards, and the left edge could lead to the imaginary yards to the south. On the prototype, there is a passenger terminal and intermodal facility on the north, and an auto rack unloading facility on the south. The commuter trains to LA come in to the north yard on a flyover the yard tracks. Here is a link to an aerial photo of the area. I'm sure there are some local experts who have photos and advice too. [ 08 January 2002: Message edited by: ten87 ]
I have revised the latest layout again, and posted it in my web album. Check it out! It incorporates more stuff to fill in that dead-space in the west end of the yard, and eliminates some turnouts
Sometimes it is difficult to critique another plan because the plan may fulfill the author's intentions. I can say what my preferences are and how they differ from your plan. That way you have something to chew on, and maybe you agree or maybe you are happy with what you have. First, from your site, you are into passenger trains. If I had your present plan, because I would like two or three seperate areas that they could stop at. I have mentioned before, that for me, your traffic is weighted for the top of the layout without much happening in the bottom half. I wouldn't want to pull the long trains you wish to (and I like long trains), nor would I pull them on my layout (7 by 13). I feel for me, the long trains would make the layout feel like a 4 by 8 with the head chasing the tail. I would elect to have trains that are about 6-7 feet long, so that it could move on to another area without its tail in the last town. On smaller layouts (and your's isn't that small) compromise is always the soup of the day. So if you run long trains, you reduce the size of your layout. If you run shorter trains, it isn't as prototypical, without the same "look." Where I am modeling, the prototype routinely runs 150 car trains, so by me modelling 16-18 cars, it is a big compromise, but the compromise allows me to open up the layout, making it seem bigger - something I do want. I would get rid of the yard, and put my staging underneath the layout. And, I would have an interchange track with another railroad. For me, I would rather have smaller bits (Tony Koester calls them design elements). So on your layout I would have four distinct scenes, with much smaller stub ended yards for drop offs and light switching in industries or small towns, or a division point. The area in Canada with a prototypical helix, with the train over itself is the "spiral tunnels" in alberta.
This one's for Rick. I added an interchange, as I once had in an older plan, and then filed under 'T'... Anyways, there's an interchange, and 2 train stations. I forgot that the streamliners have to have a place to stop!
I'm certainly not an expert in layout design and only have a couple of small layouts under my belt so far. One thing you may want to watch for is at the right (east?) end of the yard. If you're going to use an uncoupling tool you'd have to reach over the grain elevator to uncouple cars. The same situation would occur if you had any derailments on the yard ladder. I don't know if it's possible (and allow a generous mainline radius), but if you want to keep the yard, it may be better to move the elevator to the rear. Then again, the elevator makes a good view block Just thinking aloud. Good Luck "Look Ahead, Look South"
Good point! My backdrop is only to be planned 12-14" high, and the layout is 42" from the floor. This should be enough clearance to get to hidden tracks, staging, and derailments in the case of one... Should I move the elevator to the rear? What are your thoughts, folks? Rsn48 emailed me about this topic, and gave me more ideas.... This man is a goldmine of ideas, and experience. I'll post them in a revised plan soon, look for it in my album!
Ok, round 5... I have a new mutation to show.. I kinda like it more than the oval. It's an L-shape, and stuff is scattered thru the whole thing, with an interchange. The interchange serves the small-towns, and the sawmill. What do you folks think? I also want to add a trestle, and a river. Where should I add it? I thought it would be cool at the end of the L, in that blank space. The siding would have its own bridge, adding to the Class 1 and shortline look. The modules are to be same size as before, 18"x48". Any more info needed? I like the gentle curves, and how it's not boring, straight, and short.
Awesome! I like the arrangement alot better on the L shaped one. Much better location for the grain elevator in my opinion.
I like that plan too. The elevator is in a less-busy location, and the refinery gives me an excuse to buy more Atlas and MT tank cars... On a second note, this newest plan allows freedom of running longer trains, minus the 'same-scene-itis'. I like how the main will meander about the scener, and not just plainly loop around the same scenery.
I am not sure I am seeing the L shaped layout. When I go into your projects, I think I am seeing the same two as before... or have I missed something... which is entirely possible.
Rick, there's 7 diff. layout plan on that last page in the projects folder. The L is the last one. HTH
Update: No new plans, but decided that since layout will be built and dismantled every so often, and moved, I'll lay Atlas c80 track. It's more rugged, and that's a plus. I can also use peco turnouts, that's what I want also.
Your L shaped plan looks much more balanced than your other ones... and visually more appealling as well. One question: are the hidden staging track in the front of the intermodal area under the layout, or under a hill or what? If it is under the layout, what is the grade leading to it?
More of kinda a hidden behnd a backdrop like building faces, or trees. No grade. The plan is to be a walkaround deal, the staging tracks are furthest away from viewers. Maybe hills or other scenic breaks will disguise the staged trains. The layout benchwork is on hold now, partly cuz I got tired of whipping the cord to my Milwaukee around the sawhorses, and my wrist got achy.. I just got my Dewalt 18V drill-circ. saw-light combo in the mail. I can hardly wait to use it now! Any other ideas? I may add a track or 2 to the refinery/elevator area, to add more storage capacity. I just realized that w/Peco turnouts, this will cost a small fortune!
