As the title says, I am going to do the more realistic version and build a switching layout. I will still maintain the furniture plant, but it will be the largest industry on the layout, becoming the "Furniture Plant Complex"! The "Mystery Plant" remains, but I will also have a coal distributor and another plant, TBD. There will also be an interchange, an A/D track a small yard and a small engine facility. I'll be using DCC, two GE 44 tonners and maybe a larger road switcher at times. Still deciding, Atlas code 80 or Kato? I know, Kato is bullet proof, but is the cost really worth it? I am leaning to YES! Here is the track plan. Please dissect and critique away! Thanks!
Strasburg, I have been watching you cycle through trackplans and various space configurations. As I am just starting on a layout myself, I can definitely appreciate that it is a daunting task picking one. Let me start by commenting on your latest plan. The 2 problems I see are with the switchback to the coal distributor, and the track marked interchange which appears to serve to the 'TBD' industry. For a switching layout, I think those two points are going to cause a great deal of frustration trying to get in and out of those areas. For myself, I would be concerned about the lack of scenic opportunity as well. It is your layout though, and you may not be as focused in that direction as I am. My other comment is that you have a 5'x7' space along the walls. In some of your previous posts, you were working with the same space, only slightly deeper to allow for a continuous loop. I know you were concerned about the symmetry of this layout below, but I think it has a lot more operations and entertainment in the same space. With a little tweaking to the yard, you could gain some extra track, and to avoid obvious symmetry, you could tweak the track layout for one of the middle industries. Ultimately it is your layout. My best advice would be to quit planning and start building. So long as you are not using the cookie cutter method, changes can easily be made as you lay your track. Cheers!
My only concern is the yard- Which will always require any train to back in, or back out. However, that is NOT a handicap. So, get busy and build. Pictures, please! Boxcab E50
I agree. There comes a point when you just have to get building on the thing. If your not sure of the final shape things will take I would highly recommend using Kato Unitrack. This will allow you to play around with your design in the "real world" and change things easily if you should change your mind.
It is a neat plan, however, I have found that I am really not a operating type guy. If you are then your layout is perfect. The thing is, there are times I just want to watch the trains go continuosly. I would set up your layout without any scenery and get the buildings in place and see if you are an operator. If you find you'd like to see trains run, then you could change without too much difficulty. All the best! Yes kato is worth it.
Strasburgnut Definetly go with kato unitrack IT REALLY ROCKS DUDE YOU WONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SOLDERING TRACK JOINTS .IT IS BULLETPROOF AND IT HAS GOOD ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AS WELL. I HAVE AN:tb-biggrin: L SHAPED HCD LAYOUT WITH 2 V11 TRACK SETS RUNNING CP CSX AND SOME AMTRAK I ALSO HAVE THE SANTA FE EL CAPITAN SET IT;S AWESOME. IT WOULD BE EASIER TO SWAP OUT THE UNIJOINERS AFTER SOME TIME. AND YES THE MONEY IS WORTH IT START BUILDING THEN RUNNING TRAINS STAY COOL GOD BLESS BARRY,
