Layout Design

Hutch Jul 18, 2006

  1. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    I am working on a layout for the benchwork defined in the picture below. Each square is 12".

    [​IMG]

    Here are my criteria:

    1. long mainline, doubled in places
    2. large yard complex
    3. some elevation change (I hate the flat plywood look on a mainline)
    4. A nice trestle or viaduct
    5. a coal industry sidings
    6. a sawmill industry and sidings
    7. a commercial district and sidings
    8. I want to be able to run long trains
    9. I would like to run at least two long trains at a time on the layout with a full yard complex to switch
    10. a reversing loop
    12. I would like to elevate the rear twelve inches of the 15 ft. side for a yard or business district (the right side)
    13. I forsee the business point to point in the top section of the photo.
    14. I have the 3rd planit file if you would like it

    I would greatly appreciate any feedback or interest in helping me design this new layout.
     
  2. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    First off... I have been away, did you scrap the old layout?

    Second, are you stuck with that footprint?
     
  3. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Chris:

    I suggest increasing the width of the upper segment to 36" instead of your proposed width of about 30".

    A two foot walkway is all you need . This will give give six more inches of needed width in that section of the benchwork.

    Stay cool and run steam.....:cool: :cool:
     
  4. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, you missed all the fun.... It was really for the best. Just another lesson learned like all you guy say.

    The footprint is only limited on the left. In other words, there are two door s to the left of the leftmost line. One at the bottom and one at the top.
     
  5. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    Good point. I will do that now and update the diagram.
     
  6. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    Here is the revision:

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    Another revision. Thanks Bob.

    Here is the train of thought I was on...excuse the pun. The lower left could be an indepedent 5 x 8 layout connected to point to point, yard, and staging on the rest of the layout.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Joe Daddy

    Joe Daddy TrainBoard Member

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    The Road to Enchantment

    Hutch,
    Over the past month, I have looked at many pictures of your old layout, several times. You did some remarkable work! I found your other thread and found some similarities to your situation with my own. I built the Atlas Midland Central to operation in about 3 months.

    The inherent problems I built into the layout and the spagetti's nest result was as unacceptable to me as your found your work tobe. I even salvaged and reused 80% of the wood! I sure learned alot and 2nd version of Parkland RR is operating and about 1/3 done.

    I must say I strongly disagree on the only 24" isle way, My Parkland railroad has a 24" entrance into the operating bay which is about 40" wide and I can tell you I bump into the narrows frequently. I am a big fellow, 6' 2" and 250.

    Also I don't know where the walls are so I am concerned about a wide section that cannot be easily reached from the side(s). As you know, more than 24" is hard to reach.

    I found the layout 'The Road to Enchantment' page 84 of Kalmbach's old Track Planning Ideas (58 Track plans from past issues) by Bob Hayden sparked my new layout plan. Basically, I have a 7 track double ended staging area on the bottom area at 38" at a level I can sit or stand and the operational level of the railroad will be 50 inches with two long ramps connecting the levels. I looked long and hard at the helix and decided the nolix is the way for me now. To be operational, I connected the two oposing ramps together so I can run trains! After I deem the staging area mature and reliable, I'll proceed to the operational level.

    Good luck,

    Joe Daddy
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 19, 2006
  9. BALOU LINE

    BALOU LINE TrainBoard Member

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    Depending on the length of your arms 36" is a long reach. You don't want to have to lean on the layout to reach anything along the back. Try using a yardstick at bench height to determine your comfortable reach. Keep in mind you will probably have to rerail cars at that distance too. Although it is nice to have the 36" depth on the end for the biggest curve possible. This is one of the details you'll have to customize to your body size. Don't forget other operators (if there will be any) may not be able to reach the same so that should be concidered also.
    I like the shape, lots of potential. I always encourage people to concider camera angles while designing track plans. :camera: After all, we will all bug you to see pictures of your work (but you know that :wink2: ).
     
  10. denny99

    denny99 TrainBoard Member

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    Hutch,
    I remember you talking about not being good at planning from scratch, but you said you can draw a basic mainline and throw a yard in. I'd say go for it! this is a start and it's better than a blank page. :)
    then, post your drawing and we can talk about it starting from there.
     
  11. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    Here is a new drawing with the walls added.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. GregK

    GregK TrainBoard Member

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    Is there room in the closet to run a track or two through? I'm thinking that if you run your mainline through the back of the closet and come out along the other wall, it can make for a more interresting bench work , possibly longer main line, and possibly more scenery options.

    Somethingh like this:

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Joe Daddy

    Joe Daddy TrainBoard Member

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    Hutch, the room floor plan helped me understand your pictures and I see what you had done from an entirely different perspective.

    You are not going to like this, but I think you had it pretty right to start with, if you could keep the middle level, blow away the helix and the upper tier, perhaps raising the height of the middle level by a few inches, by jove, I think you'd have something to brag about!

    Best regards,

    Spectator from Colorado!

    Joe Daddy

    PS,
    The closet does not look as deep as your room diagram shows it to be.
     
  14. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    In the last layout pictures, there was a false wall that I built to hang the levels.... That false wall was directly in front of the closet door making it inaccesible.
     
  15. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    Greg,

    That is interesting. I am going to study your drawing some. I think I like it.
     
  16. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    Chris:

    The whole point of tearing down the first layout was to keep it smaller and more manageable.

    I think your second revised plan does this.


    Stay cool and run steam....:cool: :cool:
     
  17. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    Here is a new version based on Greg's illustration. PSG, I agree, but I feel as long as I keep it on one level, I will not feel so overwhelmed. What do you guys think of this?

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Hutch

    Hutch TrainBoard Member

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    I am starting to feel pretty good about this. What do you think?

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    All-curved benchwork - it's rare to see someone designing that way. It'll look good. There's good aisle space. Room for a ~16" radius turnaround by the door. But where's a good spot for a yard? Along the right wall? Or - leave no possibility out - around the end of the peninsula? There's enough room for many tracks around the curve...
     
  20. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    Ok how about just drawing in the room space and doodling on paper how you want your trains to run. Let your track plan dictate your benchwork.

    It is always good to ask yourself the basic questions:
    Do you like a continuos run? Sounds like you do.
    Do you want hidden staging? ?
    Single or double track line? Maybe with two trains running you do.
    Setting and Era?
    Realisitic operation?
    How many people will run the layout?
    What kind of trains do you like? (passenger/freight/unit coal trains/mixed/etc.) You said long trains, but if you are more specific it will dictate more things about your layout and lead you to more design ideas.

    I always look at track plans in MR and sort of get ideas of what appeals to me. Ye old xerox machine or scanner is handy for copying ideas to your plan.

    Have you thought about using a real prototype?

    As I recall you really liked mountain railroading. A good prototype is the GN line from White Fish montana to Marias pass. Maybe not this particular line but it might be a good resource for you.

    Regardless of time period, White Fish has a through yard. A large passenger station. Engine facility with turntable. Even today the station is in use for Amtrak trains. Lots of through train action with intermodals, etc. Lumber mills.

    Interesting place along the line:
    http://www.izaakwaltoninn.com/

    Just to help us out, what era and road do you like?

    I think a backwards Letter E would be a good plan. You could have three foot wide legs and three foot wide walkways into the E. Did I m

    BTW I thought you last layout was awesome.
     

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