Hello all, Well last September I have had a change in life style. To make a long story short without filling the blanks......My grand plan for the layout needs to be modified. I now live in a two bedroom apartment and I find myself with the horror of limited space. So, from one extreme to the other. Some of you may remember the monster layout I was planning. well now there is a change in plan. I am thinking of building a shelf layout around the walls similar in fashion as published in MR RailRoad Plannin 2000 (or something like that). Here is my challenge. I still want double tracked mainline. I want loop backs on each end to allow continuios running, At least one classifaction yard. These are my primary factors. Space is now a huge concern. I need to break out the tape measue of the room but it is a typical bedroom that has a bed in it, not much else (need room for trains ). Any Ideas and track plans you guys may have would be a huge help Matt Long Live N-Scale Hatched in BN Country Taylor River Division - BNSF & UP
Matt, I basically have a shelf layout that runs around my games room. Mine is a single track main with an end to end yard industry. You may have difficulty with a double main on a shelf layout but good luck. If you go to my site you can see the layout. ------------------ Regards Paul Cassar-Moderator & Member number 50 SPAD Investigator #1 ICQ 61198217 http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000
mtaylor, I seem to remember back about 1946/7 there was a shelf layout shown in one of the magazines, about having three walls of a room with shelves. The headboard of the bed supported the 'center shelf' with the other two running along side the bed with enough room to walk. They had it almost chest high, but you determine that. The thing caught my memory was that at the ends of the "U" shaped legs, he had made turn-a-round wyes! He did not have room for return loops. One was hinged, so folded up when the door was opened. He had a double track around, with yards on both sides, and several industries in the 'center' section. He had a lot of operation possible by turning just the engine at each end. ------------------ Watash
Another thing you could do is use an Atlas turntable for small steam engines at the ends. If you want continuous running, you could hinge a loop at each end. Fold up and hook when not in use. Another thing might be to get married, then you would have a large house (to put the train), OR ELSE!! Ha! (bad joke, sorry) ------------------ Watash
I've always said, "I can't wait to build/buy my first baseme...I mean, HOUSE!" I don't see any reason why a double track main around the wall would be any harder to do than a single track. You'll still have to have enough room for passing tracks with the single main so what's the difference? You could make most of your buildings and scenery "flats" against the wall. It would save you a lot of room and time in construction. Hummm, that gives me an idea... Sorry, got to go get my design pad! ------------------ Brent Tidaback, Member #234 BNSF Railfan-to-the Max and a N-Scaler to boot! "Ship it on the Route of The Roadrunners!" The Aransas Odessa & Western, a division of the BNSF