long and skinny

[nickt22]

I am excited that my layout will be 4 by 16 once the expansion project is done, but i am still puzzled as to what to do for a track plan. I know that i will have long runs and an oppurtunity to have two seperate town areas, but I have no good ideas

[Wes Whitmore]

I've been researching some track plans too in the 4' x 10'+ for the past couple of days.  I'm like you, I want some long runs, but also good operation, and for me, two trains.  Here is a post that has Lionelsoni offering a really nice plan.  It's made for a smaller board, but you could add some long straight in the center, and still have two towns some distance apart.  With the added length, you could raise the back long track up on a hill.  4' is wide, so you really can't push it up against the wall unless you have really long arms. 

Here are the direct links to the plans.  I also added the one that I have been working on.  It get's rid of the crossroad, and gives me diagonal tracks so I can turn my city streets on angle to I can see them a little differently.  Maybe you can take them both and make something even better.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e249/fooldancing/LAY39X66.jpg

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/weswhitmore/album/576460762377932354/photo/294928804160769276/45

 Wes

[envfocus]

Below is a 180" x 31" layout from an old Lionel reference I have on the shelf.  For long and skinny areas, many consider tunnels at each end (to hide the sharp turns) and multiple levels (for expanding).   Anyway, good luck and have fun.

[underworld]

With that length it would make for a great industrial area with lots of switching or an intermodal yard, maybe with a harbor link....or a great railyard.

 

underworld

[RR Redneck]

Heck you could even put small towns on the opposite ends.