Here's a modified version of the one with the daylighted tunnel. I'm not looking at modeling Jim's to a "T", more along the lines of this one: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mastadon4935/2752805555/ At least in terms of height.
This latest version looks pretty good. A lot more operating interest than the original. If you can build in a scenic divider between the two sides, even better.
Arbomambo, read through your thread last night...great job! inspiring as I'm just getting started on this new layout. Boxcab, thanks...I agree...glad I posted on here for input. The divider is probably a no-go, as it will go long ways against a wall when running it. If you have some thoughts about it...I'm open to them! I've made some more mods here...
Looks good, although I am not at all a fan of switchbacks. If you can get another switch in the lower right by the road and then use a crossing to get over the lead to the engine house I think you'll like it more. Crossings are a much neater thing to model than trying to run trains on a switchback. Then again, maybe it's not a switch back, maybe it's a drill track with a fuel tank and a small shed at the very end to hold the mine's own loco? Cars are dropped off by the main railroad and the mine uses it's own dog to shuffle them in and out of the loader? One other suggestion, as much as it sounds cliche to use an "interchange" track it, do try and add one if you can. Having an origin and destination for cars is a key part of the fun. Pulling cars out of the elevator, doing a loop, and putting them back in gets old. Pulling cars from the elevator, doing a loop, swapping them for cars in the interchange, doing a loop, and shoving the new cars in the elevator will give you a little more to do. A great layout can come in any shape or size. Don't pay any attention to those who try and say that you're perpetuating the "trainset" stereotype or holding back the modern advancement of the hobby for everyone else by having a loop on a door. Some of the all out best and most famous N scale layouts are door sized loops.
Mylayout is HCD,a nd moved from MT to SW Germany in 2010. It has ACE Hardware folding legs under it, braced with 1/2" ply for strength. I build a crate fully enclosing all 6 sides, with 7/16" ply. It withstood all the moving handling just fine. I also build mine with foam, 4" of foam for the base for terrain modification on a mountain scenery layout, with an additional 12" above track level. My layout does not have industries purposely. A poster above mentioned not doing that to keep the excitement factor up, but the prototype I model has no industries ont he part of the route I model. I do have plenty to keep me busy. Helper movements, stalled trains, bad orders, rockslide/avalances can change train movements away from mundane roundy-round. granted, my work and family life gives little time to run trains, but I digress... Chris, I like the last plan. The passenger station could be moved to farther from the turnout, but that's a minor tweak. I like the switching possibilities, and a long passing siding. The small engine house will give a place to show off your small (but quality) fleet. One thing: not many places that have a coal industry have a grain industry nearby as well... I would probably change the industries up a little, but that's a minor issue as well. The trackplan itself seems sound, and that's what you need.
Chris.... Here is my take on the situation.... While HCD's are awesome in themselves...I've built 3 However...if the layout will be moved onto the bed as you say...here is one of the problems. Using a HCD...unless you lay all the wiring on top along side the track...you will have wireing poking thru the bottom and attached to the door. A 1/2 inch playwood piece the same size (36x800 could be attached to 1x2's and wiring put up inside that area. That would pretty much eliminate and wires getting fubar from sliding it around on a bed. That being said...if its a small unitrack layout you will really only need ONE feeder from the cab. The turnouts are all power routing...nice feature !! USE THE HCD If you 'attach' a small transformer (cab) to a corner of the layout...and run one feeder to the track...it should all work just fine with moving it to the bed and back. Here is a thread on my "Hanging HCD" http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...-New-hanging-HCD-Layout&highlight=hanging+HCD I used a dual throttle and put it in a sliding keyboard drawer The same principal can be used with a dual cab mounted on the top corner of the door...for controling your sidings as well as the mainline. You just need to run a feeder or 2 along the track work...ON TOP JMHO...YMMV Thnxs Then again.... You could do a hanging HCD yourself...and ya wouldnt need to 'move' the layout to the bed at all ;-). When closed...the layout itself had 3 1/2 inches to the wall. That would be plenty of room to put some foam pieces in the corner for you gorge...hmmmm,mmm (just thinking outloud)
Jim, A daylighted tunnel is when the railroad decides to excavate the ground above the tunnel to essentially make a deep cut. It's used quite a bit on highway tunnels as well. On highways, daylighting a tunnel seems to relieve congestion a bit. Eric
Heres a link to a tunnel nearly completely daylighted: http://www.hunt101.com/watermark.php?file=536146&size=1
Kalbert, I'm not a huge fan of the switchback either, will try to work on it later tonight, and see about an interchange track as well. Hemi, LOL...was looking how close the coal and grain are. Might eliminate the grain one...don't have but a couple covered hoppers anyway, but have more than a dozen coal cars. George, loved ur hanging layout...very creative. And the idea about faux cabinet doors is a great touch. My 4x8 was a lay down, but too impractical. Jim, yes, it's what Ericb said. Sometimes tunnels are daylighted to allow larger freight...double stack containers as an example, when reboring the tunnel isn't practical or feasible. Appreciate the input...will hopefully get to the computer this evening to tweak the plan some more. Thanks again, Chris
It's often a maintenance issue. You are either gaining clearance or have a constant problem with such as water or rock falls. Removing the overburden usually minimizes or eliminates the trouble and continuing expenses involved.
Be sure to save all your previous versions. They might come in handy for comparisons, refreshing of ideas or backtracking.
Oh yes...saving each version! Kinda stuck at the moment. Can't seem to fit a switch before the river, and make it around to the passing siding. Taking a breather, will look at it again later.
Don't get to flustered trying to fit everybody's suggestions in, you'll end up with something you don't want! Whatever you do, you have to like it. Sometimes it's good to put down the design software and instead arrange some sectional track on a board to see what comes out. Things always are different in reality than on paper anyway.
Kalbert is right, computers are no substitute for seeing track on wood. Unitrack is perfect for this. My current project is a unitrack HCD layout and I have redesigned it on the fly half a dozen times. The basic plan is the same, but it's easy to make refinements just by going with "I wonder how this would look?" and trying it. And if it doesn't work, just put it back the way it was. I do have a few thoughts on the track plan: 1) On the river, Kato (and others) make very nice bridges, but they are all straight. Your plan calls for a curved one. 2) For an exchange track may I suggest running it into one of the corners by installing a turnout using the diverging route as part of the curve on the main and the straight route for the siding. Again, unitrack track geometry makes this easy to do. 3) I would suggest doing away with the engine house and using the space for a small two or three track yard. It would be much more versatile. 4) Not every siding needs to be double track (most aren't) or terribly long. Enough space for three or four cars is usually enough, especially on a small layout with short trains. 5) If you want a grain elevator but don't want to put it on a siding you can set a small one next to the station on the short run around. Then you can spot a single car there occasionally. This can add operational interest by having to work around it without it disturbing the flow of mainline traffic. Just my 2 cents, Mark H. "CB&Q - Gone But Not Forgotten"
I would have to say I liked the simplicity of your original design. By adding a scenic divider you could have the best of both worlds. I took the liberty of playing with your track plan and roughed in some suggestions. Mountain / tunnel and roadway bridge conceals the openning through the scenic divider. A roadway bridge conceals the river source. A branch line / interchange line provides access to the outside world. [/URL][/IMG] Jerry
Interesting, Jerry. Due to the layout going longways on a wall when it will be set up, I don't know that the divider would work well. I do like the mods and interchange. The interchange ws brought up previously, too. Did you se the #4 turnouts, or #6? I'll wok it up in anyrail for a couple thoughts I have about these mods...thanks! Chris
Judging from some of the designs you were entertaining I thought you had access to both sides of the layout. I used #4 switches in all but one location (branch line on upper right). Might I suggest that you could replace the scenic divider for a view block using town buildings and a modest hillside for peek-a-boo train visuals. The rural sceniced area would then become a 3D back drop to the layout. Jerry
I think I got it! Using Jerry's revision from my first plan with the atlas track, but with 15" radii for outer curve while incorporating the passing siding around the curve, 2 industries, and the big bridge in the lower left. I'll have to scratchbuild the smaller curve bridge on the left. Thoughts?
