Hey everyone, I want to build my first layout. I have been given an area of the basement to work in.... I have a L shaped area.... 8 ft x 6 ft. I will make it appox 2 ft wide maybe a bit more. I want to build a switching layout but I dont know what I should be taking into consideration. IE.... number of turnouts, more flex/more sectional..... I dont want to get myself in to deep and then get discouraged. I would love to base it off my local RR ... I live in Chatham, Ontario... the CP main line goes right through the middle of town ! and I want to keep it rather simple... grain elevator, feed mill, scrap yard, ware house.... a couple more industries MAYBE..... but also, I want a small yard I can showcase some of my rolling stock in. Im only using small locos, MP-15DC, atlas genset, GP38. My rolling stock will be 50-60ft box cars, three bay covered hoppers, gondolas, etc. I have looked ALL over the net for the last couple months for track plans... and there are some good ones, but I havent seen many L shaped plans. I have come up with some using atlas track planning software, but cant figure out how to upload them ! any tips or ideas would be great !
Welcome to Trainboard first of all. I'm sure all the guys here can help you without a doubt. What scale are you working in? Didn't see that in your post. I've found that by defining the industries and what you want to accomplish, it makes it easier to come up with a viable plan. Sounds like you've got a start on that. I've got some plans I can send you by email, but can't put them here for copywrite reasons. Be happy to do that if you'd like. Just send me a PM.
Hi Tyhatts, Welcome to TrainBoard. My current layout started also as an ell that was 4X8. Below is the track plan before the layout got relocated. Not to scale When first built it did not have the two turning loops and fit in the Yellow section of the image below. So basically the right end, ended at the right side of the "2" in "industry 2" and the left end stopped just before the 1/2 circle and the two lines pointing down were a bit more parallel. It was based on an article in a 2004 MR which was based on the "Time Saver" puzzle. Industry 1 is a grain elevator, industry 3 is a cement plant and industry 2 is a paper mill. I'm not trying to say you need to do what I did, but to show what could be done in the area you have. Yes mine is N Scale which makes a difference. Remember that it is your railroad and you can do what ever you want with it. Most of all have fun with it. Gary
For some inspiration and ideas see East Rail Lance Mindheims modeling is superb and his ideas for the East Rail can easily be used on other layouts of different size. You don't mention what scale you wish to work in so I would say if you're working in N scale you could easily include a small yard in that space, but with HO it may be more difficult. Best of luck!
