hello all, i am now stationed in japan, a long way from my local hobby shop. I am trying to get a meager layout idea put together to entertain me for the next 4 years. I know it will be a switching style, but that's about it. PLease help. I have looked at mike's layouts, but they are still go-round style. Not gonna work over here. There is a sweet 2x8 layout down at TRAINSWEST, in Albequerque NM. I have called them and they are going to take digital pics ,and send them to me. All help is appreciated, and if this should go to another forum let me know. thanks, THE ROCK
3x5 switching, meaning no continuous run? I have an excellent prototype paper mill plan that includes 3 switchbacks that I can put down on paper (in the computer) if you want to have a look at it.
Check out my 3x5 layout plan, posted in the "from benchwork..." thread. It offers a continuous mainline run that is not just going in a circle, plus just about as much industrial switching as you could imagine on a 3x5. - David
For simplicity, here is Dave's layout: Quite a bit going on there, lots of continuous run action with a lot of opportunity for some switching. Too spaghetti-bowl for my taste, but that's just me. Should fit a lot of people who want the action quite well. Dave did a pretty good job with the limited space.
daivid, thank you, and all for the timely posts. The unfortunate thing is i forgot to mention i model H.O. This layout is great otherwise. Anyone else give me a hand?
HO? Yeesh! That'll severely limit what you can do, and tighten up the possibilities considerably. For this type of challenge, we're going to need a more specific list of your wants and your needs - your "givens" and "druthers". Try answering the following: 1) What are the absolute maximum dimensions you can physcially have? This can have multiple answers - e.g. "3 by 5, or 2 by 8, but not 3 by 8". 2) Any vertical or weight limits? Can it *stow* to a smaller size, and "fold out" to a larger size? 3) What do you most *want* to do on your model railroad? Run in a circle? Have two distinct places for trains to go? Run a specific type of train? Model a particular industry? 4) What is the second highest rated *want* on your layout? 5) What region(s) do you like? 6) What era? I'll help you design something that'll work for you. - David
David, that layout is absolutely incredible, hard to imagine it's in a 3x5 or thereabouts. Wow, great work. would love to see pics of it. Russ
Alright , back again..... I want to fill a board with as much action as possible. I have about 100 cars , and 20 locos, these are my true addiction!!!! I will be able to swap out gear, so as to have different road names, at will, but just gotta get a head of steam. I am also considering a out and back that goes around the perimeter of the living room...... I will post pics of my situation tomorrow. I also got the pics of the sweet layout at TRAINSWEST, in albequerque. I wil post these if you guys want....... the ROCK
Again thank you to all who are devoting time to my problem here are 2 photos of the trainswest, layout.... Theystated the sole reasoin for build this wasto prove a bookshelf layout could be done. There are like 19 turnouts on this board!!! i am still learning how to doctor down a 200k file to a <100k file. shawn http://www.railimages.com/album/Shawn%20Connolly/new_pic_33.JPG http://www.railimages.com/album/Shawn%20Connolly/new_pic_left.JPG these are the pics of my "board"....... i may blookingto add a hinge/another piece to widen it to 5'x5'. http://www.railimages.com/album/Shawn%20Connolly/Image008.jpg http://www.railimages.com/album/Shawn%20Connolly/Image007.jpg http://www.railimages.com/album/Shawn%20Connolly/Image006.jpg http://www.railimages.com/album/Shawn%20Connolly/Image001.jpg [ 09. March 2003, 13:10: Message edited by: rock island railroader ]
Hey Greenshirt, Thanks a lot for the compliment. I'm actually making a concerted effort to become a good track planner! Unfortunately that doesn't pay anything, but it's a goal of mine nonetheless, so a comment like yours really means a lot to me. Rock, we really can't help you further without you investing a little further. I asked you several key questions and you skipped 'em! Regards, David
my grand apologies.... answers as follows...... 1. the photos tell the story. i start with a 35"X63" piece of 1/2 plywood. I can add up to another 24" of width. I am considering a very ambitious perimeter of my living room out and back. My living room is 10'X12', japanese style. Verticle, is about 6 foot up. fold out, maybe not no weight limits to speak of. 2. no particular industry, though i do like the idea of a grain mill/silo. I do have a thing for switching yards. Moral: very flexible. Self imposed limit of GP'S and Switchers. I only have 18" diameter. and run code 100. 3. I like northeast, northwest. I will be running Seaboard system, and Rock island power. I like the seaboard colors and my wife digs rock island. I have others, like BNSF, SP, BN, EMD DEMO COLORS, CNW. I am not one too commit to one flavor. What ever color looks good, and swap meet price works for me. 4. Era is not too important, I have the ability to go back to the 40's, and up to present. Again, I am not on to get to wrapped up in prototypical, except I want my colors, and weathering to be right. I really appreciate, your interest. thank you much, shawn
Rock, You are living in the N scale country of the world, probably. Why not go N scale and get a more satisfying layout with the area you have - that's why the Japanese are so into N scale, territorial problems. If you look at contemporary equipment and engines, they are the same length, but not height of HO. So go to a store and check out a Kato N SD90 against the length of an HO F unit. Also the same with a N center beam car, vs a 40 ft HO box car. YOu will be in for a pleasant surprise. You know the old saying - "when in Rome, do as the ....."
And if you go into N, you can use the token from your Johnny Lightning Monopoly cars as N scale cars Eric
well.... i don't plan on swapping this late in my game. I have considered building "modules." I will take some info from the new MR mag. Thanks for your input, and good eye about my matchbox car collection. shawn
