Well my layout, there is no written down track plan. I started with a 19" x 96" piece of 3/4" plywood. Layed track which included 27 turnouts, in what I thought looked good and provided some intresting switching . Spiked it down,,,,fast foward to the present. that switching layout is now part of the WBTR. A N scale 16'10" x 12'0" layout. What gets me, is no brains to pick, or buddy's to come over and say " what about this, what about that" Tony Hammes of forum fame, did make it here before he shipped out to Iraq. He has a very good eye for operations and nice ideas fer a additional track. So get all the input you can, it will come in handy. I did purchase 3rdPlanIt to design the mother of all layouts. Put mostly, I have used it for just toying around with ideas. Right now layout at present has 57 turnouts and it is not even connected so I can round and round. Right now I can go from the major yard I have to the industrail area , so back and forth , forth and back is all I have now. Running trains while the construction is what keeps me going. Plus I can show non train people what is done, and the GF loved to switch the idustrial side. But to get the point about either small, or large, I say go with what you can work on the most. Cause there will be days that you don't feel like messing it. Then there will be days that you feel like working ten hours on it. Well I better quit rambling... I wonder have I made any sense, I doubt it,,,adios wyatt
Hey Shank - I was so inspired by this thread (especially husker's comment about going simple) that I went and cut out my entire planned upper portion of my (1st) layout so that it would facilitate more scenicing and moving closer to being "finished" instead of trying to force the upper portion to work. Plus thats all the more reason to plan for (insert suspenceful music here) layout nuber 2! Thanks
Update: I've been reading replies, and playing with trackplans, both on paper and on the benchwork. In order to satisfiy my desire for two constant runs, I'm going to double track the main. 15" Radius on the outside and 13.75" on the inside. Kato Unitrack. It will be based heavily on the anthracite creek. It will also include a Yard, and two industrial spurs, and a return track. I origionaly wanted (2) mine sites, but I think I may go with one mine/breaker and the other industry that is a heavy coal user. I'm not sure what. Maybe a power plant. If I do go with a double main and use the Kato Double crossover switch to get between the two, should I also have a passing siding somewhere ? When I get a better drawing of my idea, I'll post it. Thanks for all of your replies. Dave
shank - hey just to let you know, since this message - I feel empowered!!! I totally removed my upper portion, and am getting ready to rip up all my track due to running problems and not happy with my original concept - which has changed 3 times now by the way. I'm going for a single continous line with a few spurs - my main objectives now are (1) get it done and (2) have fun at it! See my railimage forum for my work in progress before the re-construction. I'll go for the more prototypical layout in the next (bigger) layout
Mike, glad to hear it if I inspired anyone even if it's only by p#$%ing and moaning. I just bought some more track tonight, hope to work over the holiday. I asked my local Hobby shop if he would Discount Unitrack. He said only if I bought a complete layout all at once. I guess it doesn't count that I spend $40 a week there instead of all at once. So Off internet shopping I go. I gave him a chance. It kills me to pay $8 for a 4 pack of Unitrack when I can get it for $5.50. That $2.50 times 20-30 packs adds up, and the switches are worse. Online Doubleslip $39 LHS $70.00 Same piece. Dave
Re: pissin and graoning, I hear ya... but hey, whatever works! Maybe I was just needing an excuse And I figured the cost of track + ballast + bedding = experience... and I think I'm in the same boat as you finding the best deals online - I think its a shame that I'm not supporting the LHS - but funds are limited
Husker, I loved your first layout even though it was basic the scenery was excellent. Layout number 2 is coming along nicely but what are your plans for number 3
Update/Edit - well I found that my running problems were with my locos... not the track Looks like my major task of track removal has been reduced to spot replacments, I'm very happy about this!!! Now I just have to re-adjust my intended scenery plan - hmmmm
HuskerN, I love your Layout #1. I'm finishing up the benchwork for an 8' x 8' x 30" L-shape myself, and I was wondering how best to use it. I guess an over and under would be pretty much be my best option. Doug
Thanks for the welcome. My first layout was a Unitrack version of the Carolina Central on a hollow coor door - I'm still working in that. This L shaped layout is something I decided to do after moving into a new place. It will also be Unitrack, but I'm not sure what the layout should look like.
Doug I'm also doing "L" shelf layout 10' x 10' x 24" with Unitrack. I'll be glad to share any info I've learned with you. One tip if you buy the Unitrack rerailer tool, basically a little blue piece of plastic, it has notches built into it to help you align double track mains. Since I'm doing double it will come in handy. Only cost like $1.50. Where are you buying your unitrack, have you found a good source. My LHS is list, another is list + but ToyTrainHeaven is dirt cheap aind PArailroad is about 25% off. Dave PS if the Honey do list isn't too long this weekend I'll be laying track so I'll post some pics on Sunday/Monday. Dave
Shucks, everybody said what I would have said had I been reading this a month ago so I’ll say this. I intend to start simple with an idea of expansion and get the trains running before I lose interest. I'll add from there and let her grow. I’ll probably build my Silicon Valley RR on a hollow core door. I’ll start with the Detroit Toledo and Iornton from 101 Track Plans. It is a point to point designed for 2x4 feet. I’ll modify it to include a larger yard and easy expansion to an oval of track. I’ll probably be able to work this into a much larger layout. Hope this helps Gryphin
So, I guess I'm not the only one who has made plans and then changed them! I had a 2'x4' double track oval layout and then moved to a place with more space. I tore up that layout before I ever got a train running. That was probably not a good idea! Now, I have no place to run trains or put buildings or take photos. I have been buying equipment for a "someday" layout. Maybe I should just build something to watch trains run and ferget about the big plans for awhile!
I did the same thing. I had a small layout. Dumped it. Now I have NO layout. DOH! One thing though. I hoard stuff for the future layout. I have it squirreled away in boxes. Recently I looked at it all and realized that I know have plenty of the little stuff that people put off buying in favor of buying loco's and cars. So while you buy new stuff for the future layout, make sure to get detail parts: cars, people, structures, bags of groundfoam, and ballast. You won't regret it.
Fan- That is probably NOT the reason. I had my trackwork complete and scenery about 35% complete. I am now going to rip up track again at a few points and change the curves a bit to better accommodate steam. Oh, if I loved only diesels, I would already be finished and working on benchwork for additions.
