After much discussion upper managements (Think they were tired of the mess) permission was obtained to relocate a wall, move the water heater and remodel the designated “TRAIN ROOM” aka “THE MID LIFE CRISIS AREA” (My sons term Note to self have to deal with that “MY SON WHERE YOU ARE I HAVE BEEN, WHERE I AM YOU WILL BE ; ONE DAY GOD WILLING”) into an aesthetically pleasing environment. Permission came with conditions, roughly translated into cleaning out and painting a spare bedroom, creating a craft area in said bedroom with shelves and all the trimmings. Some how I was convinced management does need a recreation area as well and after all this to be a small price to pay. The designated finished area will amount to just over 140 square feet which in my estimation is large enough to finally get the empire going. The area will have a door way entrance with another door required for entry into the utility closet contained the relocated water heater and the furnace. These I will have to work around which at this time will require a minimum 30” walkway to accommodate access to the room and the utility closet. The room will be studded, drywalled, with a drop ceiling. I have come up with two bench work plans on one I have completed a layout plan which although a little cluttered offers the elements which I would like to include in the empire. The second bench work plan is bench only, I have tried to complete a layout plan on this bench plan and have been unable to come up with a layout I can be happy with. Since the remodeling starts next week and will take 5 days, I will need to complete the management recreation area and decide on the empires bench plan and layout. So I post Layout one, which is a complete plan bench work and track. The grades worked out and all seems quite plausible, a turntable area is even a possibility. Layout two is only the bench work, which is appealing as it is more open and accessible. However for a lack of better words writers’ cramp or in my situation layout cramp, a reasonable layout plan escapes me. I must admit I have toyed with the idea of an around the room wall shelf with some peninsulas, however this option would need to include some ability to run trains while gates are absent at the door locations. I will have to think on that as well. Well I am off to the paint store for supplies for the management recreation area, the faster I can get started and completed the faster the “Force of the Empire will be realized”. Thanks for looking your suggestions and opinions, good bad or ugly all are welcomed. “May the force be with me/us Layoyt Plan One I liked the overlapped reverse Loop, there is room for a Round house (I Think; on The Right side) Layout Two - (Layout Cramp)
Owen- How about conducting a seminar- On how to negotiate model RR real estate deals. Since you've had success in this endeavor..... Boxcab E50
Looks like you have made a significant gain in available space. That new benchwork design makes me happy. As I don't see a duckunder. Am sure you'll be happy that way as well. Boxcab E50
Owen, That plan is superb. The only changes I _might_ make are: 1) Moving the yard closer to the edge of the table as that is going to be a stretch 2) Add more industries scattered about - can be done later 3) Add an engine terminal - later 4) Redesign the yard to be at least semi compound - see below The yard is “semi abstract”. I know you can fit 6 tracks in there I see the yard as a “Staging Yard” where most of the train makeup is by hand. If it is to be a “Switching Yard” where more is done by a locomotive then you need a run-around-track Pictures using Kato Track to layout yards: My "Disertation on Yard design with Kato There is a long straight track to the right of the yard. Is this for staging?
