Hi, I'm back to the well for some more layout design help. I need help thinking outside of the box, or maybe it's outside of the oval I'm building an "N" scale shelf layout. The look I want is Anthracite Coal Country of Central PA, Think, mountains, mines, grades. I had (2)Net-RR's offer up a real nice plans, but it may be beyond my scope at this time. I've had (4) back surgeries, the last 0ne unsuccessfull, so I mostly try to work, and try to sleep, and every other weekend I get time for trains. I don't have too much free time that I'm not laying on an Icepack or working I've managed to build the basic benchwork, and have built a basic loop with some woodland scenics grades to allow me to run some trains for sanity. But I want to stop playing and start building. What I have is an "L" shaped benchwork that is 2' wide and each leg is 10' long. At the end of each leg is a bulge, dogbone of 32" to allow for turnaround. The frame is 1x3"s with 1/4" birch on top, and 1" pink foam on top of that. I have a good selection of Woodland Scenic 2% grades and risers, plus a 3% grade. My risers are 1/2", 1", 3/4", 1", and 2". I'm also using Kato Unitrack and have a pretty good selection to get started. Here are some links to a sketch, some rough pics, and the (2) designs. http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/basicloop.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/rightleg.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/middle.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/leftleg.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/anthraciteCreek.jpg http://www.saycheesephoto.com/model_trains/stclair.jpg This is what I want which maybe too much to ask. I want at least one continous run to show off the layout to friends and family. If I could get (2) continous runs all the better. I can get past just (2) parallel loops. I want one or two mines. At least one tunnle. I would like a small yard and if space allows a turntable. I'm 43, this is my first layout since my teens and I always wanted a TT. I would like at least one area where track crosses over track ( a bridge, not a crossing ) This is where I get stuck, I always come back to two parallel loops, and I would like one to cross over the other. If a crossing is needed also OK. Power for now will be block and DCC, the future will most likely be DCC, but I already have 3 power packs and none of my engines is decoder equipped. Thanks in advance for any advice. And if you have already offered me advice, please don't feel slighted, It is just beyond my talents for now. Thank you all, Dave
Dave, Anthracite Creek looks just the number. Your turntable could go inside the loop at the end of the right leg. I think the St Clari plan isnt viable for 'around the walls', because the reach on the top section would be horrendous, especialyl with yards each side and the almost mandatory requirement for 'the hand of god' in those situations. Anthracite creek is one neat layout for that space!
