Hello everyone here is the layout I have come up with. It is 9' x8' L shaped corner layout. I will be using unitrack except for the turntable which is a flieshman, about the only set in stone is the bench work as it is already built, the bridges shown are single track truss but I will be using double track truss (xtc does not show the double truss). I have not decided on an era yet as I have both steam and diesel equip. The layout will also be DCC. All grades will be 2% or less any recomedations will be greatly appreciated.
I would move the swiches for the turn table and sidings to the right as far as possible and make the sidings longer.
If the layout is in the corner of a room, you'll have a heck of a time with the yard, being that far away from the layout edge. I'd start by keeping all functional things--switches, sidings, etc.--as close to the operating space as possible.
That's fine from a maintenance standpoint; from an operation standpoint, it doesn't help. Trust me, you'll want easy access to switches and sidings; the first time a derailment occurs, you'll know why. Also, I'd flip the high line with the low line, so that the high bridge is on the track leading up from the lower left corner. This keeps the foreground track lower so that it doesn't partially block the yard.
I did what you suggested and flipped the high line and also moved all but one switch to the front . I still dont know why I didnt think of that.So here is what I have know.
Hello again I redid the plan taking into consideration the comments recieved on on earlier plans and this is what i have come up with. What do you guys think.
Yes I will have access to the corner mtn. I am going to cut a hole once i get the track laid so I will have access from underneath if needed.
Quite a lot of the track is awfully close to the edges of the layout; I'd recommend tightening things up so you can pull them back at least 2-3 inches. FWIW. I'm also at a loss to understand the loop around the yard; it doesn't seem to serve much purpose except provide a little racetrack. And pushing it under the mainline and into the left corner creates access issues (that corner of the layout will be the hardest to reach). One last thing (are you sick of me yet?), that siding that wraps around the left side of the upper leg of the mainline looks hard to reach, especially as the mainline will be rising on a grade right in front of it, and it has a nasty S-turn where it connects to the main.
More Changes made. I tightened things up just a bit to get track away from the edge farther. The only reason I have the loop around the yard is so my nine year old son can run as many trains as possible without them running into each other. But I think today I will start laying down some track to see how it looks . I don't know if I am the only one, but it always look different when you start laying it out.Thanks for all the help so far I will post updates once i see how it looks. One more thing no I am not get tired of you yet David lol , I came here looking for suggestions and I have to say you guys are great. Thanks Bill
Good to know I've not worn out my welcome. Given the purpose of the inner loop, I'd recommend pulling it out from under the hillside, and keeping it fully exposed. Hiding it in the mountain, especially under other hidden track, invites disaster. I'd also recommend moving the brewery siding inside the loop, in with the town, for easier access. (And I'd also change the course of the river so the upper bridge is not running lengthwise along it--it's just not done. Just saying...)
I laid all the track and riser's today and I don't like the way the area around the bridges and river looks , but track is down and I can keep changing it around until I find something I like , pictures to follow. Thanks Bill
Do what I did and have the fascia extend 1" above the layout as a minimum. I have never understood the thing of having it flush or lower. Unless cars and engines crashing to the floor turns you on.
