Howdy! For reasons that I won't waste your time with here, I just recently dismantled my garage layout and am planning to build a new layout indoors. Shown below is my first trial run at the track plan and I'm looking for honest opinions on changes or improvements that can be made. Here's a few particulars to help you out... - This is an N scale layout. - Will be modeling current day BNSF. - The grid lines are 12" spacing, so the overall dimenions are 10'x10'. - The stub end yard at the top of the layout will be hidden staging behind a backdrop of some sort. - I want to be able to have some switching action but still be able to just turn a train loose to run continuously if I get in the mood to just sit back and watch. - This will mostly just be one operator, but on occasion there may be one or two others. - I'm planning for more of a rural look on the bottom leg (kind of Montana looking) and some city/town on the top leg. - The layout will be DCC. I think that's about it for now. You're not going to hurt my feelings with anything so if you see something that is just flat out bad design or that you don't like feel free to tell me. Thanks in advance. Now....here it is.... [EDITED: Picture deleted from photo album. Refer to page 2 for revised plan.] [ 17. November 2003, 03:53: Message edited by: Hoss ]
Hoss, the plan is a good start. Looks like fun! Besides the staging yard, you only have one town/destination. I would add some more towns, at least two more. Since you are modeling BNSF, maybe a mine or power plant for a coal train, some grain elevators for the grain, an intermodal yard for the containers, auto unloading facility for the autoracks, etc. At each town, leave room for an interchange track, or passing siding so your big mainline trains can drop the appropriate cut of cars off and continue on their way. Later your locals can switch the cars, and bring back more cars to the siding/interchange for the next mainline train to pick up and take back to staging (or other destinations). What might be cool too, is to model a visible yard where your staging is now (make sure to include engine cut-off crossovers), and at some point later, build an under the layout staging area. After the staging yard ladders it could gradually rise and enter the layout from a deep cut. Anyway, that's how I like operate. Taking the layout indoors is a great idea. Have fun!
Thanks for the response Pete. I'll definitely take them into consideration as I continue working on this plan. One thing I want to avoid is having too much. On my old layout I just felt like I had too much track (as can see if you click on the link in my signature). I want to have enough track to have lots of interesting operations, but not so much that it doesn't seem realistic anymore. Know what I mean?? Also, although I was trying to avoid multiple levels, I'm liking more and more the idea of having the staging underneath. That would give me more room to work with on top. [ 07. November 2003, 16:12: Message edited by: Hoss ]
Ya know Hoss, I think the best result would be achieved if I help! Just kidding Hoss. Good luck. I too am rebuilding my set up. Down comes the board and up will go more of a wall lined layout. Much easier access. Rich.
There you are you ole' dog. I tend to agree...although I still had pretty good access with my other layout with the center being open. It was kind of a pain to duck under though...even in my wonderful youth. I'm gonna do some more work on this track plan this weekend and see if I can't come up with something better. Still looking for advice and/or suggestions.
The design you had is what Im going to. Yes, I'll have to duck under to get into the middle. I have not had the time to come up with any solid plans. What is the height of your new layout going to be? Gotta keep it high enough to keep little fingers away. Rich
Why not take the layout along 3 walls, or even all 4 walls, with a lift out piece across the doorway. Then add more towns or sidings, and can even make a upper level loop
Your benchwork and layout configuration looks similar to my layout. This is my layout: I just wanted to point out a few things to you to make sure you were aware: 1. You have a few reverse loops in your layout. Make sure it's wired appropriately. 2. You've got a long reach in the heel corner. Consider an access hatch or something similar.
I didn't mind the duckunder TOO much, but I am glad I'm getting away from it. It was kind of a pain to deal with...especially during the construction stage. Regarding height, I'm not sure yet. The other one was at 55". I'm thinking I'll make this one just low enough to fit under the light switch...which is about 48 inches. That will allow me to sit in my easy chair and still see the trains.
I'd like that, but two walls is all the wife will allow me to have in this room...and it's the only room INSIDE the house that I can use. The two walls I'm using have no obstructions. The wall to the "left" wall is the north side of my house and is mostly windows (good, natural lighting ) and the "bottom" wall is actually where the 5' opening is coming into the room (this room is right off of the entry area coming into our house...a formal living area). I COULD add an upper level, but I'm thinking I want to stick with one level for now.
Nice layout Jason. You've got LOTS of interesting operational opportunities. Our layouts are similar in shape, but it looks as if yours is focused more on industrial areas. Is that correct? I plan to have SOME city and town industry and such in mine, but I also want to keep it kind of rural. Less track, more scenery and structures. Regarding your other comments, the reversing loops were intentional. I want to be able to turn an entire train around no matter which direction it's going. I will be using DCC so wiring for the reversing sections will be nothing special....just a couple of those little reversing module thingamajiggies. Regarding the long reach, I'm not sure which one you're referring to as the heel corner, but I assume you're talking about the bottom "dogboned" portion of the layout. If so, this portion of the layout will have access from 3 sides so it won't be a problem getting to. I'm making some changes to the layout as we speak, but I probably won't be able to post it tonight as I can't seem to figure out how to turn my screenshot into a JPEG at home...only at work. [ 08. November 2003, 04:02: Message edited by: Hoss ]
Very nice. By the "heel", I meant the upper right corner where your layout turns 90 degrees. You've got almost a 3 foot reach into that back corner. If your layout doesn't sit too high, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'm just letting you know. Someone was kind enough to point that out for me and so I shaved the rear corner off at a 45 degree angle so that it would make an access hatch that I could squeeze up into (see the upper left corner of my layout).
Don't forget you can have a deck beneath the deck you are planning. The second lower deck can house a lot of staging and storage.
Good point. I probably won't duplicate the top deck in a lower deck, but I will have some type of deck underneath for storage and possibly staging. For now my staging is on the layout itself. I think I've got a track plan together that I like. As soon as I get back to work tomorrow I'll post the revised track plan. Thanks for all of the replies.
Okay...here is the revised track plan for everyone to look at and make suggestions. Just a few things: - I increased the size of the layout from 10'x10' to 10'x12'. - I changed the configuration of the track some and added a small interchange yard and track. - For now I'm leaving the hidden staging ON the layout....behind a backdrop or scenery so it can't be seen. I'm considering making the staging yard turn the corner to make it a through yard instead. What are your thoughts on doing this? Here is the same layout with what I kind of picture in my head for scenery and industry and such. Nothing is labeled because nothing is really set in stone as to what is what. Forgive me for my lack of computer graphics skills....
If you are going to have lower deck staging, I'd plan the track for it on your upped deck now, even if you don't build it for some time.
Good point. Is anyone else getting the dreaded red "X" for the pictures above? Rail Images seems to be down today (at least for me) and I think that's making my pictures not work right.
I have revised the track plan yet again. Please take a look at it and see what you think. I managed to get the mainline minimum radius to 15" instead of 13.75" like it was before. I'm open for suggestions here.... If you want to see the full size (and legible) picture go HERE.
Hoss What are you using to plan your track? I have been "trying-before-buying" 3rd Planit but it seems a bit beyond me. Cheers Bruce
