Hi, I normally model Japanese prototypes (my focus is commuter trains, but I don't yet have the space for a planned layout) but I now have a side project that is American prototype in nature. Last year I created my first layout, a very small Japanese steam layout of 30" x 19" to fit with the storage space I have. This was created with Tomix Finetrack and I was able to get some hands on experience with scenery and learn some dos and do nots. For this summer I'd like to build another layout (it will need to be even smaller!) and I want to base it around the Bachmann 44 tonner and some of the Atlas rolling stock I have lying around. My main learning goals will be some more advanced 'benchwork' and electrical (layout will be DCC, with a plug to connect to a Digitrax Zephyr), to weather and ballast sectional track and to build some proper kit structures. With the ballasting I want to actually raise the rest of the layout level closer to the rail height (both for a more industrial track look, and as a preparation for Kato track). For structures I specifically want to build some Greenmax kits – I have my eye on the No. 37 Plant Factory in particular. Overall dimensions of the layout would be 30" wide, and somewhere between 12" and 16" deep. For space narrow is better, but I think it will be closer to 15" to realistically put anything in. The minimum radius is 140mm (5 ½") which all my rolling stock handles. The layout would represent track owned by a single industry with perhaps a small piece of track representing where it joins to the railroad. The rolling stock includes a 44 ton switcher, a CP MP15DC road switcher, and an assortment of 'beer can' shorty tank cars. I also have some 40' CP 'Pacman' boxcars of various types and 11 CP 70 ton ore cars. I'm not big on the boxcars much, but it would be interesting a few ore cars could be used. I am not concerned about matching a prototype or having prototype operation. It's for fun and I'd more enjoy letting a train go round and round then fill out little cards. Some track features I do want to include: Continuous running is a must. It can either be visible, or through a hidden passage to hide the loop. Some light switching, hopefully with an excuse for the CP switcher to come by and drop off/pickup cars. I want to use up most of the spare Tomix track I have left over without spending a lot of money on new track. In particular I already have 5 Tomix switches. 2x Tomix 1231 PR140-30 (right 30 degree switch, 140mm curve radius, 70mm straight) 1x Tomix 1273 PR280-30 (right 30 degree switch, 280mm curve radius, 140mm straight) 1x Tomix 1274 PL280-30 (left 30 degree switch, 280mm curve radius, 140mm straight) 1x Tomix 1241 PR541-15 (right 15 degree switch, 541mm curve radius, 140mm straight) I've used AnyRail (the demo versions supports up to 50 sectional pieces) to push around some ideas, one of them is attached. Does anyone have an ideas on how I should such a layout? Things to do, not to do?
Food for thought: Used only the turnouts you listed. Had to go to 16" deep, but having the ore unloading dock right on the fascia would be worth it & interesting. Backdrop would make it a bit of a diorama / shadow box feel, though a single sheet across at the diagonal is all you really need if you want 3-sided viewing. All the rail-served industries are in light blue. Though the warehouse in right corner doesn't have to be used, but thought it's a place for a boxcar or two. For the ore dock you'd have to use some flex track or solder to pc board ties to get the "wharf-running" look. (or use scribed styrene on top, I guess). Hope there's some ideas you can use. Have fun!
The angled backdrop is definitely something I hadn't thought of, I was stuck thinking in terms of something square and a bit ackward to hide any rear track.
My "Lighter-than-air Railroad" is a military version of an industrial railroad, all "aboard" a Naval Air Station for Lighter-than-air crafts (blimps). It does not hide the continuous run, uses is as a "circulation loop" rather than a mainline. Track running off board is connection to imaginared mainline.
Micro layouts Are you familiar with Carl Arendt's Microlayouts website? You'll get lots of good ideas from his over 1500 examples. And your layout would be considered gigantic by his standards. Aurelio
Here's my online article on other micro-layouts: Model Train Resource: Micro-Layouts for Model Railroading Aurelio
