Which layout design do you like better?

[Anonymous]

Which one do you like better?  Feel free to offer suggestions.

[1688torpedo]

 Hello ATSJer!    The first layout looks more versatile & fun. How many trains do you plan to run on your layout? Take Care.

[spankybird]

The First one, hands down!

[Anonymous]

 Hello ATSJer!    The first layout looks more versatile & fun. How many trains do you plan to run on your layout? Take Care.

I only plan on running one train at a time, I'm also only planning to use standard transformer control.

[traindaddy1]

I like the first one.  (The second one does, however, look as though a platform station might be able to be shared by trains on either track)

[willpick]

Of the two, i'd pick the 2nd one, as it has more room for trackside operating acessories. For operating a train, No.1 is better.  Too bad you can't do both---

[kpolak]

First one!

Kurt

[fifedog]

To me, honestly, they're both kinda busy looking.  You will be limited to running really short trains.  That being said, I like the top design better.  But I would eliminate the lower left 90 degree crossing, as well it's two conjunctive switches at left and bottom.  That leaves a clean looking run with the ability to change direction.  Perhaps a siding or two in the now open areas at the bottom and left...

[sir james I]

The first, if you just want to watch a train run. It would make a good show layout.

[nitroboy]

first one!!!!

[Brutus]

First one - I'd do what Fifedog said, but add a spur on that side to an industry or something...

[PostwarMan07]

I like the first one better.  I always see track plans with 1 reverse loop and wonder why not 2 so you can reverse again.  This one has 4 and looks like a lot of fun to run.  You are limited to smaller trains, but who cares when you have all this action.  I would try to throw in a siding later on for an operating accessory.

[USNRol]

I like the top design better.  But I would eliminate the lower left 90 degree crossing, as well it's two conjunctive switches at left and bottom.  That leaves a clean looking run with the ability to change direction.  Perhaps a siding or two in the now open areas at the bottom and left...

second reversing loop is redundant...trade it in for some sidings/industry.  Nice 4x8 layout.

Roland

[Brutus]

I can see 4 reverse loops on the first layout.  So, I think I'd axe 1 or 2 of then (one small and one large, or the two large ones) and put in sidings - you could still reverse in 2 directions.

[USNRol]

I can see 4 reverse loops on the first layout.  So, I think I'd axe 1 or 2 of then (one small and one large, or the two large ones) and put in sidings - you could still reverse in 2 directions.

I see 2 cw-ccw loops and one ccw-cw that can be entered two ways (just as any rev loop can) I'd only get rid of one of the cw-ccw loops cause I really don't like having to back through loops to change direction!

Roland

[Anonymous]

The first one!

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone, and thanks for the tips. 

Ok I made some changes to the first one, I took out one reserving loop and added a long siding that works as an inner loop.

[fifedog]

ATSJer - I can see you really favor 2 crossing tracks.  The new diagram is more free-flowing than the first 2.  Now, you have to ask yourself,"What kind of structures do I want on my layout, and how many?"  You still have a lot of track down, and this could limit you on that avenue.

Can you fill us in on what you would like to incorporate?

[Anonymous]

ATSJer - I can see you really favor 2 crossing tracks.  The new diagram is more free-flowing than the first 2. 

Yeah, I'm trying to work as much action into the track without it being too cluttered, and with my 4x8 layout this becomes quite a balancing act, and the crossings help with that a lot.

Now, you have to ask yourself,"What kind of structures do I want on my layout, and how many?"  You still have a lot of track down, and this could limit you on that avenue.

Can you fill us in on what you would like to incorporate?

Ok, the plan is a rural setting, the left and top walls (on diagram) will have Ameritowne building fronts to simulate the main street through our town, I'm also going to follow Frank53's lead and build something similar to this in the NW corner.

Throughout the remainder of the layout it will be mostly farm land with a few other smaller structures similar to some of these. (none of the following measures over 10.25 inches in length, and most are around 4 to 6 inches some are 9 inches long.)  I will also be adding a water tower too, but no coaling operation since there was never anything like that in our town.

[fifedog]

Well, Kentucky is pretty hilly, so you may want to build your town on top of the upper left (or NW) portion of your pike.  Most railroad depots/stations tend to be at the lower elevation of a town anyway.  You can taper a hillside down.  It'll give you a couple tunnel bores to help "increase" your run visually.

[Anonymous]

Well, Kentucky is pretty hilly, so you may want to build your town on top of the upper left (or NW) portion of your pike.  Most railroad depots/stations tend to be at the lower elevation of a town anyway.  You can taper a hillside down.  It'll give you a couple tunnel bores to help "increase" your run visually.

Yeah, I've been considering elevation on my layout, but I haven't figured out just how to incorporate it yet.  The main town (NW corner) in reality is right next to a creek and is in the low part of town, and the tracks used to run straight through the town and along the creek, so I won't be raising the town.  However I am thinking about buidling up some of the interior regions to create hills and I'll cut through those hills or replicate one of the still existing tunnels that the train used to run through.

[Anonymous]

Here's a bit of a mock up with some structures and ideas on scenery.

[Brutus]

(OOPS - my mistake, 3 it was...!)

Looks great!  I like it a lot better this way. 

[fifedog]

I agree with Big Jim, looks great.   That depot and water tower fit that spot like a glove.  Can I suggest a couple of those small WEAVER switch towers to guard your crossings?  Also, your firehouse looks a little lonely there.  You could place it near the lower left edge opposite the gas station, facing the viewer, pack it with small details, thus creating a scenic view block for the trains.  That leaves that nice space adjacent to your pond for an industry (say a logging camp?).

[dsmith]

I really like your revised layout plan.  It offers lots of switching options and can reverse in both directions.  If you are familiar with Lionel antiderailing switches, you could even link certain pairs of switches together and automate a particular pattern.  On my layout, I use this feature on 2 pairs of switches that will repeat a pattern or if the linked feature is turned off, you can operate the switches as normal.  Lots of action in a small space, much better than an oval or two.  I love it!

[Frank53]

the upper right hand corner would make an outstanding baseball field.

Place everything from the pitchers mound to home plate on the layout in the corner and use a photo backdrop on the wall to signify the outfield, fans in bleachers, etc. You can end up with something really nice out of a previously wasted space.

You can all your dugouts, on deck circle, umpire, tail gating, chain link fence, bleachers, even parking on each side of the first and third basepaths.

[Anonymous]

I updated the layout photo, just refresh the screen.  I added a farm and a tobacco barn I will also be adding some wooden fences.

[fifedog]

You could bore a little underpass (big enuff to fit a tractor & wagon) thru your cliff to connect your barn & farm.  There are a lot of examples of that in MD & PA.  Some of them rather rickety but full of charm.

[Anonymous]

That's a great idea!  A nice little ad hoc bridge would be great!  I was thinking that the barn would belong to a house on the south east corner but with a little wooden bridge would be a great detail feature.  Perfect!