Ok, now that you folks have given me the idea to make a switching layout indoors so I can model in the winter you can help me plan it and critique it as it progresses. It will be a 10' x 2' switching layout. CN is my railroad to model. I will post the track plan tomorrow (hopefully) because my dad has to scan it in at his work (as our old scanner doesn't work on the new computer). Benchwork construction will begin on the weekend. I'm using this http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/001/389evpgm.asp benchwork and placing 1" foam on top of it. Please post with your thoughts and suggestions. One major question: How tall should a switching layout be? Thanks in advance for all the feedback I'm sure I will receive.
Skipper, I would build it in two segments, 2' x 5# and 4'' tall. This would be a frame from 1/2 '' plywood. That's the way we build modules. Wolflgang
Skipper, At the local modular club (www.hotrak.ca) we have the railhead at 45" above the floor. Some of the tallest members find this a little low, but it is a good height for most everyone. Andrew
Thanks for the quick post guys. Wolfgang, do you mean 4' tall? I'm building it as a 2' x 10' along the wall because I want to only use the lumber leftover from my last layout (there's a lot of it) and it's not going to be portable. Making modules (I know, it's easier than it sounds) would slow it down too much. I can only work on the weekend with my dad as he's the only one allowed to use his circular saw and other "toys".
My current layout level is 46'' up to 54''. At my European layout I've had three levels, "Naumburg" was at 59'' ! This was only 16'' wide. Here you see another part of the room that time, but with top level about 60'': ZOOM IN Wolfgang
Here's the track plan. All feedback appreciated. I'm using Bachmann EZ track (this is one thing that is non-negotiable) #6 turnouts.
Skipper, Check out Bob Boudreau's Fundy Northern (featured in many issues of Model Railroader). http://www.geocities.com/fundynorthern/ Looks awesome for a switching/shelf/modular-type layout. Maybe you can get some ideas from it. Hope this helps! [ January 07, 2006, 12:36 AM: Message edited by: LongIslandTom ]
Skipper, nice trackplan. However you might be trying to cram in a bit too much into 10', in HO. You have 7 turnouts on your main running line. Normally I allow a 1' footprint for each turnout, which also allows for clearance beyond the point frog, so you can get past a parked boxcar. Therefore with 7 turnouts, you won't have any room left for trackwork. For instance, the three turnouts in the picture below occupy nearly 3' Also you need sufficient track for a loco and at least 1 car (at least 15"), beyond the 2 turnouts nearest the ends of the boards, otherwise you won't be able to operate the runround loops. Hope this helps, Jon [ January 07, 2006, 05:00 AM: Message edited by: Jon Grant ]
I saw what you saw Jon and even while my dad was scanning in the first track plan I revised it so there's room at both ends of the layout. I'll repost the track plan after every 5 changes or so. Since this is only a switching layout I don't mind if things are a little tight. But I'll see if I can loosen it up a bit. I'm going to download the Right Track freeware from Atlas tomorrow so I can accurately test the plan.
My advice for what its worth: 1. Layout height. How tall are you? You want to be able to comfortably reach your hand and arm over things to: uncouple cars, throw switches manually, rerail cars, place scenery objects, etc. 2. Trackplan. Instead of drawing the plan, get your bechnwork done and then start setting out track to see how it fits. Since it is easy track you can practice with your track plan as much as you want till you get just the right plan. Thats the beauty of sectional track. 3. Make sure to examine spaces for structures. The biggest problem I've found is that I just assume structures will fit a certain area and then they don't. ARGH!!!! Walthers corner stone kits actually provide foot print measurements so you can plan a spot for where the model will go before you even buy it.
The benchwork will be finished tomorrow. It's 48" high. Thanks to everyone who replied to that question. I will post a revised track plan next week. TGB, the plan is just a guideline. When I get the track on the layout if something looks weird I'll test out different combinations. Thanks for tip #3. I'll check that once I have the track in place. Speaking of structures . . . does anyone know of a HO model of an autorack unloading ramp? In Great Model Railroads '06 they said that Walthers made one but I can't find it on their search.
Here is track plan V. 2.0. I made this with RTS so it will fit and there is a ft. between the end of the layout and the first turnout. [ January 25, 2006, 12:20 AM: Message edited by: Skipper ]
There are just times when you have to be able to haul a car around a cut of cars with your loco. I would consider first that you have to take the length of one train car and en angine to determine what your minnimum lead length is before a switch. I think a foot may not be enough in HO scale, but I could be wrong. Then again you do have that middle cross over where an engine can slip around a cut of cars so you may not need all that lead space on the ends. There is a small HO switcher called a critter that is sort of a industrial switching power house. It would be tempting to operate one of those on this layout. Or else an old tank steam switcher like the bachmann 060. There is an old book called 101 trackplans. It can be found in libraries for check out. It has a lot of plans worth seeing in it that are designed for shelves. It is a good reference for ideas. Overall I do think it looks like a good plan. Now you may want to draw it out with buildings to show where cars go during switching.
Since he wants a autorack-loading ramp and is intending to use #6 turnouts on a switching layout, I gather this is modern CN with large diesels and up to 89' cars. A single car can be 12" long. 12" beyond the points works if you're using only 40' cars and a switcher. Many shelf switching layouts are designed for these conditions. Therefore, I suggest you look at a 2x5 or 2x6 plan of such nature and stretch it lengthwise - longer spurs and runarounds and broader turnouts to fit large modern equipment. At least look at such plans to get an idea of how much you can fit.
HI SKIPPER: When it came to choosing the correct placement of a structure or industry, we always used a CARDBOARD MOCK-UP of each actual structure we planned to use. They're easily made from scraps of cardboard[corrugated, cereal boxes, etc.] and masking tape. Moving them around gave us a variety of scene perspectives and showed us what would work best for our op. sessions. My 2 cents...Old Tom in NH
Ok, I think, to fix the space at the end problem, I will use two Shinohara Code 100 Nickel Silver #6 Three-Way Turnouts to start both the passing sidings at either end. Does anyone have experience with these turnouts? Are they DCC compatible? Are there any better options for a 3-way turnout (as in brand)? It must be code 100 otherwise it isn't compatible with EZ track. Old Tom, I have MR Planning '05 and they have a detailed article on mock-ups. I will be using them once I have some track. Thanks for your tip.
Lots of changes have been made to the track plan. I've added another industry. The plan will be up this weekend. If you can, please answer my questions in my last post and about the autorack plant. Thanks
Here it is: The buildings are: 1. Walthers Bulk Transfer Conveyer. 2. Walthers Auto Distribution Facility. (Ret. Will buy on ebay) 3. Walthers Bud's Trucking Co. 4. Walthers Walton & Sons Lumber Company. 5. Walthers ADM(R) Grain Elevator. There is also going to be a highway overpass through the middle of the layout. As usual, all feedback is appreciated.
I don't want to rain on your parade, but that plan won't work. The turnout angles are much too sharp. Individual #6 turnouts are very long.
