I too had to take my 2nd layout down and now in the process of starting my third layout. The big thing for me to concider is accessabilty to reach everything on layout. Other two layouts had problem with this. I want to reach out and move things and also will help with the cleaning of layout once or twice a year. I no longer want a gazillion trains running at one time, maybe 2 or3 for now but thats about it. Hope this helps?
laz57
Sturgeon-Phish: Brianl027: Boyd: And all....Thanks for the posts.....Luv a thread that sparks interest!
Since I have no operating accessories and few buildings,,, I designed something that was coming from one place and going to another. I get bored with round n round very fast. I like switching. The main table is about 10'x 4' 6" and has a yard with a turnaround loop. There is an upper level with a small yard. My layout is also my bedroom. Its about 13x11 plus a small closet. I"m 6' tall and my feet are under part of the upper yard but it clears my feet by about 2 feet. I drew about 40 designs for the layout before settling on what I basically have now. It took me about a month of thinking of every design possible. You can see videos of my layout and sometimes messy room on youtube under the name "mustangstrainsmowers".
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
This is a subjective thing Traindaddy. I built a new layout 4 years ago which still isn't finished (I work way too much, though I'm fortunate to be working... still way too many hours).
I built my layout on foam insulation board to be light weight and movable if need be. My layout is small, but very creative. For example, I've chopped the bases off the Lionel 027 switch, leaving literally just the track. Losing the big foot print of the 027 switch allows for many more possibilites on a small layout. Mountains are made from the same blue foam board insulation, which is much easier and lighter than the traditional plaster made mountains.
Operating accessories needing participation, like barrel loaders are at the front of the layout. Others like operating junction towers, changing billboards, and other of the like repeat action accessories are at the back. I've also made some of my own accessories to optimize my space. I designed and made my own icing station where the train pulls beneath the structure, thus saving space.
Operating crossing gates, banjo signals, etc. are operated by push button switches, so they don't operate every single time the train passes... a plus on a small layout. Lots of lights in buildings too. I use mini-CHRISTmas lights because of their low volatage and cheap cost. Plus I can power more lights on one small transformer.
I take liberties with buildings too. Small buildings like the Plasticville Fire Station and the K-Lineville Police Station have been modified into small factories. Most buildings have smoke generators in the chimney which are operated by push button. When folks see the smoke coming out of my diner building, I joke that their meal is now "well done."
I like sidings and switching and wish I had more room. Still I have 4 sidings and sometimes leave an operating car on one of them for more action, like the modern Lionel operating brakeman car, where the man walks back and forth. Having cars like this can optimize your operation action in a minimal space situation.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
AND please establish a thread on this forum to keep us all updated on how you are progressing. I just love to see guys actively involved in building! I personally wouldn't mind if there were dozens of active threads with dozens of guys actively building. A thread never really goes away, although you may have to go back a couple of pages to retrieve it when you want to update it. I know I have to look for mine sometimes when I have something to add to it. Hope to see some progress on your build in the near future!
Regards,
Timboy
And most important, have fun building it and not set a date of completion as a goal.
Jim
I had to tear down my layout and I have a lot of operating accesories, people cars etc. I am planning my next layout, and I started with a list of objectives. For example, this my my list so far:
Modular so it can be taken apart and moved if needed,
kids friendly,
ALL American Flyer "S"
More "toy like" than "high rail" I think that is the term
Minimal switching, more on operating accesories
Bullet proof wiring
All areas accesable that is within my reach from the edge of the table.
From this list of objectives, I will see what space I have then determine the track layout. After that, the table design, wiring scheme and baseline assumptions, black base, yellow lights, green primary function, red secondary function, yellow with blck tracer track verible power.
I am still at the point of establishing the space!
TIMBOY: Good point. MIKEBERRY: Thanks.
I love the Post War accessories. I designed my layout around the trackside accessories.
HI: Nope. Neither. First up is what you want the RR to do. Then form follows function - IMHO. I may be wrong. I'm just sayin'...
Assuming that this is not your first new layout and you have accumulated a number if items (ie accessories, buildings, scenic necessities etc) over the years.
How would you approach the design of your new project? (Space, not in the equation)
Do you concentrate on the number of track lines first and accessories next OR do you consider the number of accessories first and work your track lines in and out of the scenic stuff (sort of building lines through virgin territory)? As always, many thanks.
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