I've been fiddling around with Atlas' track planning software... Being pretty new to this, this is my first attempt. I started with Atlas's N9 layout: I then made two variants on it using elements from some of the other track plans plus some of my own fiddling: And the second: These are intended to fit on a 30" x 80" door. I've not considered wiring at this point... although DCC will be what this will be geared for... Thoughts to this newbie? Too busy? Does it work? Etc? [ 06. November 2003, 05:41: Message edited by: Agatheron ]
I haven't personally built a layout myself but after managing construction projects I would phase the work. This way you don't bite off more than you can chew, you don't bust the piggy bank, and you can get your trains up and running faster. Maybe start with the inside oval and the inner yard. And as time and money allows start working outward adding the second mainline and the additional sidings. Just an opinion.
I don't see either one as being too busy. Remember, it's your empire. You are the one who must be pleased by the results. One thought- The open space in the middle is ideal for a scenic divider. Seperating the scenes gives a feel of distance. Boxcab E50
I agree with Boxcab, A scenic divider (or a backdrop board) really does a great job of making a layout like this seem much larger. I have seen layouts like this taken to train shows where the divider is a plywood board centered lengthwise about 12-16 inches high and painted sky blue. One side had a city backdrop from walthers on it and the other a mountians and trees scene, and he trains came through a tunnel, then left through another tunnel. It really gave the feeling that the trains were going somewere, and was like having 2 layouts is 1.
I personaly like the last one! Lots of operation and constant running. It will be great with DCC. I also like the comments about the center divider!
I've thought about tunnels... to divide up the layout... placing them would be reasonably easy... Although the trouble is, the prototype (CN/Via) that I am considering doesn't have tunnels in the region. The Montreal-Toronto-Windsor cooridor is pretty flat for the most part. At best, the rail runs through what appears to be a carved-out culvert in places... or an artificial tunnel at Union Station in Toronto. Of course, I could shift my "location" to the Edmonton-Vancouver part of the CN/Via line... Although then prospects of basing some stuff around the car industry here in the London-Windsor area kinda goes out the window... Hrm...
Using a view block/scenic divider, you'd not need to have tunnels. The trains run around it's ends. The ends can be disguised with trees or buildings, or? Boxcab E50
What about a roadway overpass. Make it look new on one side and old on the other. Then Trees and buildings could hide the rest. Could even make the approach on either side different. Maybe even make one a raised freeway.
Raised freeway works... the CN Lines tend to run parallel to and crisscross the 401... and even do so near some of the auto plants... hmmmm...
Your radius's must be really tight. If you could add on an extra two to six inches to the width and widen your curves, you won't regret it. The tighter the curves the more limited you are as to what you can run in terms of engines (2 versus 3 axle engines for example). On smaller more advanced layouts such as you have illustrated, DCC makes a lot of sense as you will be hitting block changes about every ten seconds, this gets old very quickly.
The radii on the inner curves are the standard 9 3/4" which is part of the standard Atlas N9 design. The outer curves are made using 11" radius curves. I am expecting to use shorter-length trains and rolling stock on the inner curves... As to the actual size of the layout, it still remains to be seen... At the moment I am planning to put this on a 32"x80" door. I could be lucky and get a wide 36" door... but it's a matter of negotiation
