Feedback on Layout Design

[HCF]

Hello everyone!

My name is Holden. I've been active over on the Garden Railways forum but the garden railway has made me want to return to my first train love: O Scale.

I've put together a plan for a potential layout and I was wondering if you all would mind taking a look at it and giving me some feedback. This isn't a plan for what I'm going to start with, but for what my end goal is.

The design is 7 ft by 12 ft. I feel this gives me ample room and space and I've been checking clearances as I go. Of course, I submit it to you lovely people to see what I may have missed.

The plan uses gargraves wooden tie track and ross custom switches.

Because the layout will most likely be against the wall, I think I'm going to need an access hatch or maybe multiple access hatches to get to the back parts of the layout. I'm ~18 inches shoulder to shoulder so what do you recommend for dimensions of a hatch? Furthermore, based on the plan, where do you think a good spot for hatches would be? I put a square on the plan where I think a good potential spot may be.

The grade at the back is 3.7%. I know this isn't prototypical but I don't mind that. What I do want to know is, can locomotives handle that? I don't mind if I have to split trains to get up the grade, in fact I think that would be fun. I don't really want to do helper locos because for the foreseeable future I'm gonna be running trains conventionally and I don't wanna risk wrecking two loco motors due to them being at different speeds/outputs.

I'm not looking to to get this exactly in scale. This is more 3 rail scale than it is O scale. What I do want though is for trains to be able to run smoothly and to have fun, that's my goal.

Oh one more thing. I think if space allows it, it'd be neat to have a wye on the layout but I can't figure out a good spot. If you've got any ideas, lemme know.

Thanks so much for your help!

[fifedog]

Ok, lots to chew on here.

MTH 2.0 and 3.0, or similar speed control engines can make that grade.

Unless you are modeling an elaborate harbor scene, cut out the water and let that be your access in.

Isolate the small loop, so now you can run two trains. If you try running a long freight around that small loop,you will run the risk of string-lining the train.

Did you want a wye to turn an entire consist, or just the engine?

[Flintlock76]

That's a good lookin' layout!  I wish I had  7X12 feet to play with!

I can't add much to what Fife said, except if that grade's too much for the train the locomotive will certainly let you know!  I'm assuming you have a walk-around capability for the layout otherwise Fife's right, you're going to need some kind of access for the inevitable derailments and /or accidents.  They're gonna happen sooner or later.

[pennytrains]

I agree, making this into a u-shaped plan with a duck-under or a lift-out bridge(s) would give you greater viewing possibilities.  Think of it as being ON a boat on that river viewing the shoreline action.  (A chair on wheels would make that fun too!  )

Becky

[HCF]

Have you ever seen people make replacable cut outs for water scenes? I don't mind cutting out most of the water so I can stand in it, but I think it'd be an interesting challenge to be able to create the illusion of water. Perhaps a cloth of some type pulled tight?

@Becky I love the idea of a rolling chair and making it a boat eye perspective. Can call it a Captain's chair

@Flintlock I'll only be able to walk around 2 of the sides so I guess I will have to cut out the harbor.

By the small loop do you mean the loop on the upper level or the inner loop on the main level?

As for the wye idea, I think either would be neat. Whether for a full consist or a locomotive. If I were to fit something for a full consist perhaps I could figure out how to incorporate it into the mainline in some way? If I make it just for a loco maybe I could put it at a table edge and make an interchange.

Thanks, Holden

[fifedog]

Holden, you could easily install a wye off your outer loop in the lower left hand side of your plan, if you are willing to extend a little bit for switch length.

Yes, the little loop in the back. The way you have it elevated parallel to the body of water, would lend itself nicely for an ore dock, or coal/coke loader. 

[pennytrains]

HCF

Have you ever seen people make replacable cut outs for water scenes? I don't mind cutting out most of the water so I can stand in it, but I think it'd be an interesting challenge to be able to create the illusion of water. Perhaps a cloth of some type pulled tight?

How about using a sheet of plexi or wood (with water effects) that could slide in and out of brackets under the table or even have it hinged to drop to one side?  Those would give you the best of both worlds: having your water and the access too.