after much deliberation, this is a rough CAD of what I will now try to draw on the plywood for the branchline. The turnouts to empty space is where I gave up on computer and decided to try fitting it all on plywood.
I like your last plan; it isn't quite as busy and lots of areas for scenery and structures. You are smart to get your backdrop in early; you won't regret that - and you will be ahead of 90 % of those who have layouts in your area because most either have a half finished backdrop or never get around to it (too intimidating).
rsn48 When talking about a nolex, in this layout, http://www.shendiv.com/design/operations_desired.html, are you refering to the section that takes in Macafee Tunnel etc? If so, this is something I will store away for future reference...
It's been a couple months since your last update Barry, I'm curious on how the trackplan finalized itself. Any photo updates?
Cancel this, I found rsn48's links to nolex info and this layout was included . I'll learn to search first next time
For better or worse, I have added a 3% grade branchline on the far west end of layout. In one of the previous CAD designs this branchline is shown as a straight line, but I have turned it into a psudo 'nolix'. The mountain region will be basalt cliffs as found in the Columbia Gorge, I am researching, building, experimenting all at the same time. The tunnels are accessible by a 'pit' in the center of the mountain in which I can stand. This next photo shows the yard area. I have turntable and Ice house, but am still messing around with yard tracks The below photo shows the middle loop. Right now the mainline is complete, bypassing this loop by going through the wall in the background
Well, this is approximently the first anniversary of when I first started posting designs of my layout on trainboard.com. This is a diagram of everything that has so far been built. The track has been layed and trains operating on most of it. The two areas that are only at the roadbed stage are the "industry" area, and most of the branch line with a 3% grade. This diagram was 'reversed engineered', in other words I made this diagram to show what has been built. I left the computer design and started eyeballing things after the yard area was completed. So, in this diagram some of the radius etc. may look funny. But believe me, on the layout I have been following all the advice of trainboard.com - max. grade of 3% (I know, maybe should have been 2%) and big radius curves of at least 18 inch on mainline (except when I had to compromise...) Thanks to you all... Here is a closeup of the area with the interchange between the Oregon Trunk and the SP&S [ 29. November 2003, 17:46: Message edited by: Barry ]
I posted some new pictures on the N scale forum. I am slowly making progress. One fun thing I did was on the top of the 'mountain' I have a small Z scale oval which I purchased on eBay. It looks as though I will have a second level also, but I'm just concerned about the height since the first level is already at eye level. The photos are also available on my web site under 'photo's of N scale room', just scroll down for latest pics.
Thanks all for the help. Ripped out the entire layout today. Saved all the bench work except the top plywood, all the structures, and saved most of the switches. Why? The height (70") was tiresome to work on, and my young sons couldn't watch the trains. Also didn't allow for tortoise switch machines, was having a heck of a time going back to add them. And lastly, switched to DCC last year and that motivated me start all over. So now I'm looking for a 7' x 7' twice around layout (along wall) with lots of spurs for industry. The yard (2' x 7') will be in small space to the right of the larger room. Oh, and I don't mind grades. Any ideas? [ July 03, 2005, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: Barry ]
Well that's a mixed issue. I hate to see any layout disassembled, but your reasons are sound. Anytime it's a change for the better it's a good change. After following this for almost 3 years I hate to see it end, but enver ending is another begining. I look foward to going through the proccess with you again.
