Will you guys take a look at my XTrkCad layout and tell me what you think? I don' t have sidings or yards placed yet, just the mainline(s). Thanks http://www.railimages.com/gallery/christopherhutchinson/abs [ January 01, 2006, 06:22 AM: Message edited by: Hutch ]
I can't guess what all those weird track arrangements and junctions are for, so I can't really comment. I don't even know which tracks are above which others. All I can say is, it looks interesting, but maybe complicated to operate.
I guess I am not that great of a layout designer. I just have an awkward space to work with and I am trying to accomodate the space. Maybe I should just start over on this one. I am better off following a plan rather than designing....
Hutch, Don't get discouraged! When i designed my small layout, I pulled from plans I had seen online and in books. I also recommend coming up with some industries and such you'd like to model and see how they will fit in your space. You'll want most of the train action up in front of any buildings, so be sure to leave room for them.
I think it looks pretty good. Will make for a nice running operation. With your helix and most of your curves hidden in those tunnels the way you have them, you can run without seeing the "running in circles" look. Look forward to see how you lay out the yards and sidings.
Looks good except I have one suggestion learned the hard way. I would try to increase the radii of your curves. If I am correct, you have two reverse loops in there, which is all you need. Problem- You may have a hard time reaching in if it is as large as it looks. I looked again- where are you going to be walking? I would also suggest a double sided backdrop running somewhere in the middle areas. Keep going- The seeds are planted. Now, nurture.
Mark, It's a little hard to tell, but it looks to me like his minimun radius is about 14" to 15" and most are a little larger, should be more than enough. You have a good point about walking area. I was kind of assuming a duck under in front of the left doorway and walkway in the center of the main layout area.
Believe I see some of the possibilities. Perhaps if you can indicate which tracks cross over, or under, it would be a little easier for us. Boxcab E50
Here is the upper level: mid level lower level Here you can see what crosses what, and where the walkways are located. [ January 01, 2006, 08:03 PM: Message edited by: Colonel ]
This is N scale; 18" is broad. Yes, you do want to leave room for buildings. But remember the value of "breaking the train". Putting buildings, trees or other high objects in front of the tracks can be effective scenically; it can even make the layout seem bigger.
Hutch, One thing I noticed when running a quick trip through with the simulator program is that the two loops that I have highlighted here are "one way" entrance. You have to be running counter-clockwise to enter them and you would have to back the train out of them to get back to the other sections. If you will primarily be using these as a separate section it is no problem, but if you want to run continuously through the whole layout you will need to be able to enter and exit them from both directions.
Hutch - when you get your design finallized, make sure you upload the design file to the Layout Depot for others to download and learn from! Peter
Hutch, dont swseat on the design phase. I;ve done over 180 plans for other people, but my own has gone through ovoer 400 different variations until I started construction. Even now, with the lower level about 50% laid, I am not happy with it. Use consensus from other people to dictate whether your own plan is good or not, because we all tend to oride ourselves far too hard with our own stuff.
Hutch, One thing I noticed was the track that branches off of your reverse loop in the lower left hand corner (upper level?). It looks like in about 3 feet the track drops elevation and passes under another track. This is much too steep of a grade (about 8%?). You may want to re-think that piece of track.
