New Layout

[Anonymous]

[?] Hey guys .. I'v just built a room in my garage 14' x 12'.. I want to put a new layout in. How can I best use this space??

[lionelsoni]

Build around the walls, not in the middle.

[turbine682]

Agree with around the walls. I am looking at similar dimensions in basement and am considering yard with wye into peninsula. Around the walls will provide max mainline with siding / passing options (curved turnouts provide longer siding, passings) peninsula at angle gives longer yard. Make sure you have run-around (escape) with yard. Check out Realistic Track Planning by John Armstrong.

Have fun! [8D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Around the walls is probably your best choice, but don't forget the entry door to the space. That's one of the reasons I asked to see a drawing of the space. Duck unders, lift outs, and swing bridges are all options, but the best choice may be to stay away from the door completely. An "E" shape might also work well in this size space.

[turbine682]

Good point about the doorway - I'm not sure if I want to fool with lift outs - but would certainly consider duck under as I am not extremely tall.

Another cool thing that can be done is to run staging tracks behind the visible part of the layout. An HO railroad in Great Model Railroads 2004 does just this. 60 feet mainline - 20 is visible, 40 used for staging.

My better half would prefer (and me too!) if I just moved all my stuff outside to a garage/shed/workshop (yet to be built)

[Big_Boy_4005]

Duck unders don't work well with inward opening doors.[:D] Actually they are more a function of the owner's age, than his height. It gets old quickly to have to crawl into your layout every time you want to play. In some cases bad design could be worse than no layout at all...... think before you build!

Five years ago I drew the plans for my layout, today I am finally building it. Already modifications have been made, and I'm sure there will be more as things progress.

[turbine682]

Also hear what your saying about age. Room is unfinshed and no door. 2 years ago I used 3rd planit CAD software and designed a small 14 X 36 layout (O-Scale). I hear what you're saying about getting around to building layouts. I'm really good at planning layouts (ROFL). A section of N-Scale layout # xyz is sitting in the room next to me. One good thing about N-Scale (if you have the room) is you can actually do the track plan full-size with real track.

Everyone have fun!

[pbjwilson]

You may want o consider an island portion - somewhere to run loops of track for small motorized units. While trains are running around the perimeter of the room you can have a trolley or small switcher providing action on the island portion of the layout. Also consider what type of layout you want. Is it hi-rail or toy train? Islands also give you space to display plasticville collections or operating accessories. Also you may want to think about multilevels, trestles, etc. And the best advice I ever recieved in building a layout, K.I.S.S., Keep it simple stupid. No offence.