Okay, thanks. Limitations: -------------- </font> Dimensions: 10'x9' w/shelf depth max. of 2'</font> I want point-to-point running with larger areas of switching (towns/cities) at each end and scenic running w/ an industry or two with track access.</font> Double Tracked</font> A way to reverse engines on each side (if'd you'd like)</font> That's all I can think of...
There are so many threads titled "new layout plan" that all run together. I wish you could title this something like "Austin TX Nscale layout" or "Central TX layout plan". I believe only the originator of a thread can change the title....
Matt, 1) Can it be "U" shaped or are you forced to keep "L" 2) Double Tracked? I personaly feel that would be a bit much for a point to point. I'll see what I can come up with. Ken has a reasonable point. You may want to name if after your railroad name, (which can be changed later). Mine started as the "Grey and Gryphin". It is now the "Grey and Grandure" [ September 08, 2005, 06:54 PM: Message edited by: Grey One ]
ok, since noone seems to want to tell you what a runaround is, besides asking others to do it, heres what one is
Grey 1: It doesn't have to be double tracked, and by "P-T-P" I mean It'll have a small staging yard at the top end. Also, the space only allows for an "L", it's in my bdrm, a "U" would take up the space my bed occupies. Of course this whole layout design depends if I can't find track plans of the MoP in my area for 1930s-1950s, or if I want a protolance or not. Don't let that discourage you, though.
Matt, Thanks, that info will help. I'll see what I can whip up for your review over the next couple of days and post back to this thread. Mike C Phoenix Az
Thanks for posting that sketch. He needs one at each end of his layout. Otherwise, he'll have trapped engines, or be backing all of his trains. Boxcab E50
Matt, how come Point to Point? I would think you could squeeze in a very large oval if you expand the shelves at each end to accomodate an loop. You could basically double your mainline that way, Or you could simply have the back half of the loop hidden and use it as a huge staging track for trains to enter and leave the layout.
Point to point? Even at 2 feet width, for N scale that gives a 11" radius. I run an E-8 with a heavyweight passenger train in that space. With a 2% grade on the curve to boot. Caveat: I don't have body mounted couplers on the cars so I don't know how they will handle that.
Hullo ya all .. something has to be my first post ever here so why not this one. I´d like to have a shot at this! Cause I just love playing around with a limited space for a layout. But since I´m kinda of sticking my neck out here we have to have some more info, please! -- Have you concidered a separate, fold-on or add-on-piece (to put away when not in use) that could give room for a loop at one end? (uh-oh, I´m lost for the right term for this one?) -- Would it be okey with sector-plates for locos at each end? (as your space is far too tight for any runarounds) And if so, could one hide them under a way overpass or such? -- How long is your longest six-axle loco and how long trains (or number of wagons) have you in mind? That to determine the lenght of passing tracks. -- Is it all gonna be level? Why not try bi-level for more depth? Cause I think you might be able to squeeze in one or two second level tracks. But I´ll have a try anyways. And in case I come up with anything useful, you´ll be getting a few pictures here. --( R )-- [ September 09, 2005, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: rain_man ]
You might be thinking of a drop leaf, and yes, that is worth considering. There is certainly space for runaround tracks. I don't think train length will be an issue here - this is a switching layout. Your concern is, in fact, one of the first I voice about any larger plan with mainline running. Here, I'm guessing there will only be one operator, and therefore one train at a time, so there is no need for passing sidings at all. Runarounds, yes, for switching. Passing tracks, no.
No, there will be times there are two operators, maybe three at a time. Also, there is no xtra space for a dropleaf.
Matt, Well, if you can find ANY possible way to widen the very ends of the layout by just a few inches you could potentially have something like this: -Double-track mainline with 14 inch minimum radius and continuous running capability. -Multiple Industries for switching. -Two small yard areas Mike C Phoenix Az
Mike's plan is really nice. Even without the extra space at each end you could do it. Yes bigger curves are nicer, but not required. Keep your cars, trains, and engines short and obscure the sharper curves and all is good. If you wanted, you could do someting like Mikes, and put the switching point to point in the midle as if it was a short line. //I really have to learn Xtra Cad
Thanks Steve! Yeah, there's quite a bit of latitude for making changes depending on what Matt thinks of it. Like you said, the yard area could be planned in the "middle" with lines extending outbound from either end to service town areas. It seemed like Matt wanted to run some newer/bigger equipment so I tried to plan the largest mainline radius I felt I could get away with. By fudging a bit with the small 'push-outs' at the ends it would allow some fairly large radii in relation to the size footprint of the rest of the layout. You SHOULD learn Xtrak! It's a blast! It only took me about 15 minutes to sketch out the above plan, and that was with going back and changing things a few times. Mike C Phoenix Az
Mike that's exactly the type of design I was thinking of. A giant oval with spurs. I would arrange it differently, I would put all the spurs coming off the front egde main. I would make some long sidings on the back main that would work as a giant through/linear staging area for trains to hide in. The whole front edge would be one town and trains would come through this town , even amtrak could come through the town and make a stop. Some trains would stop in the towns small yard and a localwould switch the towns industries. The plan would be to make it seem like the town is just one place on a huge railway that runs in either direction.
Cool..sort of like the "modeling one town" idea that I have going for my layout concept. As I was staring at this again earlier this morning I was thinking exactly what you suggested about hiding some through tracks on the back side for staging. I'll take your suggestions and rework a version 2.0 of this plan later this afternoon! Edit: Ok, here's a version 2.0 for review. Per Geeky's suggestions I've created some "hidden" staging toward the back of the layout. The "wall of trees" pictured represents low rolling hills or other scenic viewblock to partially obscure the staging tracks behind. Trains would emerge from staging under a highway overpass.. pass through the town area, and re-enter the staging area under a second highway overpass. This plan offers continuous running, staging, 14 inch minimum mainline radius, 5 industries for switching, and a Amtrak station in case you like passenger trains. Enjoy, and as always, feedback welcome! Mike C Phoenix Az [ September 10, 2005, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Family Lines System ]
If you have an L shaped space, wouldn't it be neat to use it to model the L shaped prototype track layout where the track makes a right angle turn and crosses Town Lake (dammed up portion of Colorado River.) Bridge could be made with piers and multiple through-girder spans. Just to the left of the area on the map is (was?) Austin depot. Visible single track could cross bridge on lower segment of layout in trackplan, make U turn and go behind background view divider to hidden layover/staging. Several industries in area around depot. Such a layout would have through freight trains, through Amtrak, and local freight switching.
