OK - well not yet. I have 1x10 feet I think the width is negotiable. I'll see how we go. At the moment I am thinking about a modern version of the famous John Allen Timesaver switch puzzle. It's not prototypical, but it's fun to operate. My other idea is a team track diorama. I remember an article not too long ago in MR with a bulk loading team track arrangement. Looks like a fun scratch build. Third idea - Intermodal yard. Long is all you need but I don't know if I have enough width. I guess what has got me thinking this isn't a good idea is I don't think I can have enough room to do any switching. Guess what I have to decide is do I want a place to display my most common models (IM) A place to operate (timesaver) which will mean I will need to get some more various rolling stock. Or a place to super detail. The bulk loading team track from MR looked like a lot of fun [ 02 September 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]</p>
Since you now have permanent residency here in Australia then it is about time you did have some type of layout. I do like the idea of an intermodal yard but you are right in assuming a limitation of space UNLESS you were to go N scale hehehe. Keep us informed on what you decide
It took some digging, but I found the MR article for container car loading. It was in the November 1999 MR (page 88) it's a simple siding on a rural main line in NY State. It would be fairly easy to make but a bit less complex than I thought. I could incorperate it into the 'timesaver' idea. hmmmm - however I do want to try out some prarie grass scenery techniques.... hmmmm
"Track Plans for Sectional Track" By: Linn Westcott. In it it has 144 track plans including list of pieces needed for rug, table and custom layouts for HO, O-27, S and O gauges. It was made in 1991 by Kalmbach Publishing Co. If anyone of you has this book for track plans look up page 34, track plan 152 "A most popular plan", that's the layout I'm going to build. It's a 10 1/2' X 7 1/2' layout!
Yankinoz, I had to live with a board that had one crossover and four short sections of track, for nearly ten years. All brass track. It did let me run an engine and a couple of cars, and kept me from going nuts! Its a layout though!
Is there some way you can adopt some kind of fiddle yard to your layout Rob? I know there are some excellent track planning books out of England that would be useful for something your size. I use to own a couple but then sold them when I got into N scale. One of the hobby stores here gets magazines from England, maybe yours does as well, check out the layouts in there as well. You will find a better of track plans from Europe than the US when it comes to smaller layouts. [ 06 September 2001: Message edited by: rsn48 ]</p>
Yes I have been looking at some British plans. The space is two bookshelves on eitherside of my workbench - and the 'air rights' over my workbench. The shelves are each 3 feet and the workbeanch is 4. As the plan is taking shape I am looking at fiddle yard track on one three foot side, and small intermodal yard on the other three foot side and a 'timesaver' arrangement in the middle using the fiddle side for a switch lead. I'm gonna try and post what I am doing this weekend but I still have some things to sort out.
Yankinoz Take a look at www.ModelTrainsInternational.co.uk There may be some items in the layouts section that would be of interest. I help run the site, so I'm declaring an interest! Shortliner(Jack)
Here is a small booklet out of England with some good track plans: The Railway Modeller Book of: 60 Plans for small locations By: C.J. Freezer Pbulished by: Pecon Publications and Publicity Printed by: Matthews Press This is out of England. There are a group of "books" in layout design all in this series. English designs are more "spaghettis" like, but that is understandable given the smaller spaces they are dealing with.
coming soon... I had a plan done up in 3rd PlanIt and was gonna post it, but I just needed to tweak a couple of things and well, long story short, I didn't keep a backup and completely screwed up the plan. And well. I measured again and 10 feet won't fit (just a couple of inches too long) I did pick up a Mi-Jack crane to see if it will fit into my plan - the crane is wider than I expected and it was a tight fit in 12" (with Main, siding and lift track - the crane needs 8 inches) sooooo - I took my case back to the office of land management and have secured a 14" width I'll get the plan posted this weekend.
OK, here it is. I sorted a couple of things out. With the Mi-Jack I needed a couple more inches of width. This actually works out well because I have some extra room for a background area now. I also measured my '10 feet' and it turns out to be more like 9'8" so I ended up converting my plan to metric and it is 2900mm x 250mm (sounds big doesn't it?) Anyway - I'm not sure about track one, two and three. One the left side, I plan a large industry (flour mill, brewery, or maybe paper mill) and on track 3 I am thinking a scrap yard (good place for gons) or a team track (anything goes.) The interchange track and the main on the left side will be the 'fiddle' area where I can take things on and off. At this point, track 4 is the engine track but I might designate it something else. What to ya'll think?
Forgot to mention, I'm planning to handlay track to the improbable looking crossing is doable. [ 07 October 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]</p>
Like the plan - very nice. A site that might have another good plan for you as well is http://www.naisp.net/user/mfischer/m_train2.htm There is a VERY neat switching layout on there in N scale (4' x 6" shelf) which would be about 7' x 10 in HO and give you room for staging. Have fun Shortliner (Jack) Edit - fixed link - yankinoz [ 07 October 2001: Message edited by: yankinoz ]</p>
Catt - ya know I'm actually reconsidering it. Moving the IM turnout to the left more will make the crossing easier but that will make switching the IM track harder. I have an idea for version 2 that removes the crossing and a switchback connecting track 3 with the IM track. Then I may ust connect track one to the runaound... I'm not quite sold yet. Gee I would love those extra 4 inches tho - do you think the wife would mind if I cut a hole in the door?
Rob, I would have though installing a point from the IM to track 2 in front of the crossing would simplify the track work??? although it may reduce the length of the IM track
Here's v2. I think I like the first one at this point. I may put in wye's from the runaround to the IM track. The turnouts on track 1 and 3 are number 5. the rest are 6. the grid is 50mm.
Rob,I may just toss that crossing into the mix on the new GVR.It should rattle a few minds in opps sessions. By the way I just copied your drawing for a little inspiration. [ 08 October 2001: Message edited by: Catt ]</p>
OOPs! Sorry missed out an "s" - try <http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm> Me big Wally shortliner
