I have posted my layout at www.minilur.com with minor details. I am not sure how to post image in this forum. Comments?
barrydmd - it took me a second to sort it out but I found the big folded dogbone. One word of caution with the dogbone layout style - crossovers are return loops and need to be wired accordingly. (with DCC it's easier) The plan reminds me of Colonel's layout. He is one of the Admin's here at trainboard.com and lives near me. Anyway you can see his layout at http://users.bigpond.net.au/railroad2000/ and he is also using a folded dogbone design. If you check out his extension - it might give you some ideas. The big advantage of this design is centered around rail fanning your trains - you stated your first objective as long continuous run and that is accomplished. You have a really long main line run in a small space (as does Colonel.) It's possible to fit in some industry for switching and you can do some basic operation. If you are looking for realistic operation you might want to consider changing it to a loop to loop - this will give you more room for sidings and staging and such. I am not keen on the four track main line section - this is a really rare beast these days. Have you considered stacking the main line there so two of the tracks are hidden? IMHO - you can ignore me if you wish. The curve on the left side of the industry looks a little 'optimistic' - that is to say it looks like it gets really sharp to fit. Make sure you get that lined up correctly because once you start laying track you may find you can't get that area to fit right. So far so good - it looks like it meets your objectives really well.
I forgot - to post a picture use the "Image" button found below the text box (where you type your post) a window will pop open and ask for the URL of the image. Just paste the URL http://www.minilur.com/layout.jpg and the image will appear.
O.K., so once again back to the drawing board, I changed rooms, so now I have a 12' by 8' area, with a 2' by 4' area in the SW corner taken up by a furnace. Thus I have an L shape. The west side being 6', the east side being 8'. there are no windows or closets now. I was thinking of a U shape, with maybe a narrow bridge across the U where the door is, in the SE corner. When you mentioned a loop to loop, would that be with two reversing loops then, and one main trackline between the two?
Barry, Firstly welcome to trainboard it is always great to see new members. Looking at your plan it seems you have similar aspects of model railroading that I do. Long continuous running with the ability for switching. If you have looked at my layout you will notice the mainline is a large dogbone, this enables long continuos running while I can switch other section simultaneously. Looking at you plan I noticed there are no staging or through yards. I believe this is a must to enable varied operations. Is the future yard a stub ended yard? I look forward to seeing how your plan progresses, once again welcome to Trainboard.
ahhh - back to the old drawing board... By loop to loop I do mean a single track main with reverse loops on either end. It's the same as a dogbone but without the double track sections. The reverse loop wiring can be made easy via DCC but that's a different forum. You might want to check out The Layout Design Primer - it's a Layout Design SIG web site and may provide some insperation.
