New Layout Ideas PLEASE READ THE TEXT. I know this trackplan is screwy. I will use unitrack so I can try many combinations..... In general do you have this type of layout? or have you operated on one like this? Please share your ideas and experiences. Thanks, Loco1999
Hi Loco1999 Yes, I used to have a layout in the UK like this before I moved to Canada. It was very satisfying to build and operate. In fact, the way I did it was to continue the scenery.. the hills etc.. over the top of the yard area at the back to get a huge depth of scenery behind the layout. Heres a couple of pics showing the result.... Heres a couple of views showing the depth and the yard at the back... Heres a couple showing the finished depth available... Your biggest and most important design aspect is access to the yard tracks at the back for manipulating stock and getting access to the inevitable derailment You can see in the second picture there are huge holes in the back under the scenery for access, and even then, these were only just sufficient to get my hands in and get access to everything Regards [ 29. November 2004, 13:16: Message edited by: Graham Evans ]
Loco; I have thought about doing a layout like that many times. Basically, an oval with a divider down the center to create a staging yard on one side and a small town for switching on the other. I was planning on using fairly broad curves so I could run passenger cars and longer freight cars, but I didn't have the length to do it justice. Good Luck!
What kind of scenery are you thinking? Mountains I hope. I am sure you have already asked yourself, (as I did myself), if you will be happy with a basic loop. Will a person of your caliber be happy with that? I see a person like you doing a folded dogbone with lots of running options. Not sure why I think that. One problem with a fancyier tranck plan is planning it in Unitrak. I have ordered the template Kato offers. I am envious of the 8 feet. Hollow core doors don't come in 8 foot lengths. (I can't find any). Good luck, can't wait to see your scenery again.
Loco1999: The double track mainline becomes more viable with a multi-level layout with Unitrack on a 36x96" layout or 39"x96" inch layout. There is enough room in that space raise the trackwork 6-7 inches above the benchwork and then back down again. Double crossovers can be used at several vantage points on the mainline to provide access to each track. With the JJJ&E I placed the yard on the upper level and it runs the entire length of the JJJ&E. I personally like to see elevation in track which allows you to develop interesting scenery, which can't be accomplished with a scenic divider down the center of the layout. This is my opinion FWIW. Stay cool and run steam.....
GG: You could always add a 3 foot extension to your 80" hollow door. That would give you 116" for a nice sized layout. That's a shade under ten feet long. Stay cool and run steam....
Thanks for some good ideas Guys.... Graham Evans, I really like those photos. From another thread................................ If I get some time I'll whip out a bench. I already did the "all for scenery" attempt, the next bench will have no scenery and I will snap together unitrack in a "all for operations" mode. Then after the holidays I will try take what I have learned and attempt to marry the two. ( On the new bench with foam and risers, etc. ) End from another thread................................ I will posting some boring pics here in the Layout Design Discussion... Thanks Guys, Loco1999
1. Put yard in an accessible area. Things will derail once in a while. 2. I suggest a reverse loop somewhere on the right side so that all trains will not always be going in the same direction.
Save some cash and stage longer trains. If the staging area will mostly be manipulated by hand then remove the turnouts from the left end of one yard and right end of the other.
Graham Evans, Very nice and innovative layout design. Thx for sharing that. I'd never seen anything like that. As I am a scenery buff - the idea is intriguing.
Everything looks good, very accomplishable. My only question would be: Is the size dictated by space? If you have access to the backside why not streach out a bit and go with the full size 4X8? You'd get great big curves, extra scenery room, and more industries could be added later as you interests grow. Food for thought.
John, greetings Thanks for the comments. It's actually a very common theme in the UK to build a layout like that because of space requirements. My difference was to continue the scenery over the yard, because I wanted a layout that was very much a " watch the trains go by" There was a lot of layout automation so that the layout, which was designed for exibition use, could be turned on and the trains would just run in a random sequence. It was never designed as an operations layout, more as a display unit for trains to run through the countryside. One other feature, which is not apparent from the photos, is that it was built from 3 4' boards making 12' overall. However, the centre board could be used or not, so the layout could be 8' long or 12' long and all the operations and automation would stay intact. I ultimately lost one crossover when the layout was erected in 8' long format, but I had 8' x 2'6 at home to run trains in but wanted longer for exhibition use, so all tracks, and all scenery lined up in either format. It was a fun layout, but if your an operations person, its probably not the best solution. As a display layout for a model train collection, its great Regards
Thanks for some good ideas. I built a 3'x8' bench and mounted in on a 1' shelf that sits on the base of the foundation in the basement Now the snapping together track arrangements and testing begins. I am still leaning towards an double mainline with a scenic divider. It looks like I will only get two staging tracks behind the divider. In front I want to have an industrial park with a few sidings. I can add a couple of turnouts and have the outer main extend on to another board in the future. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks, Loco1999
Loco1999: The JJJ&E has double track mainlines utilizing the double crossovers. It looks good so far.. Stay cool and run steam....
Thanks Guys. Here is an idea of what it may look like. I may do something like this or something completely different. Any ideas out there? Thanks, Loco1999
Awesome start. Keep in mind that your switch lead for the siding to the right of the lake is the siding to the left of the lake. So if you spot a car to the left siding, it will prevent you from spotting one into the right siding. Other than that it looks very good to me.
Loco1999: It looks like you've made a good start. I would like to see longer sidings which would make your switching alot easier. Stay cool and run steam....
Thanks Guys. I will try and rework the spurs on the live track plan. How about adding some grades on the spurs? Thanks, Loco1999
