So David Smith drew up a fantastic plan for me late last year for an office layout. Unfortunately, after building the benchwork it became apparent that the inside corner was simply unreachable. Just too deep. So now I'm back to the drawing board. Did did want a combination of continuous running and switching, but that just isn't possible in the space given. What would you do with this space? Free-mo modules or continuous bench (shelf)? What would be a great switching setup? I'm still open to either N or HO scale. Both have merits. Suggestions welcome.
well, I went smaller...I have started a new layout, and I have set a budget based on what I have and what I will need. I have MOST of what I need, now I just need to follow Nike's advice and just do it. The problem that Ihad was that a lot of the track designers are on the east coast and think cramped New England style railroading, while I am in Arizona with a lot of open land. Here is the thread and the changes that the forum suggested and my thoughts. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...Scale-small-industrial-layout-please-critique
What I would do with a 2x8 would be to saw out some of the width in the middle and add it to the end to make it at least a LITTLE wider at the turnback loops. Maybe a lobe 30 inches wide at the ends or 36. I know that wasn't what you were asking, but...
Without looping back, it seems as though point to point might be a rather short movement. Could get a bit dull after a short time. The track plan shown is a good one. What about angling the benchwork in that back left corner, so there is an opening (pop up space) for access? As is that seems to be potentially dead space, scenery only.
So at the point of tear down, the background panels were in. It was curved at the back corner. You have a point, but I think by adding an access point it would disrupt the flow. I actually like a lot of detailed scenery. In any case, it's down now. I have to use this space as my home office where I work every day. I realized after installing all the benchwork that it took up too much space of the room and made it feel very cramped. Although I want a layout, we don't always get what we want. It may turn out, as it seems, to be completely impractical to put any sort of layout that will keep me continuously entertained. If only they build homes on the west coast with basements!
If being built in N scale, what about keeping it continuous running with 11" radius curves on both ends. I know some here will say that's too tight and will make the track basically an oval. I get that, but sometimes you have to make concessions to make something work. So if you had an oval with 11" radius curves, you could have a passing siding on the front towards the right end that the switching with the crossover could come off of. Then you could have a passing siding on the back toward the left end that the switching "town on slope" would come off of. Does what I'm suggested make sense/understandable? I'm trying to explain the idea without taking the time to create a track plan. If you like the concept, but want to see specifically what I'm suggesting, let me know and I'll try to throw something together for those that need to see it visually. One final note, 24" by 72" is very similar in size to a hollow core door (HCD). There are many interesting (visually and operationally) layouts built on a HCD.
