There is a lot going on in this one! I can run 3 trains independantly. One Line (uppermost) is completely seperated from the rest of the layout, the middle tier and lowest tier can swap trains - long transitions means these trains can be long (12' +). The town (lower right) is at 15 inches off the base, the passenger station is 10 inches off the base. Not sure if you can see them, but there are 6 or 7 bridges in this setup...1. 30" long trestle (14 inches off base)2. 30" long stone under-arch bridge (10 inches off base)3. 13" long girder bridge (0 inches off base)4. 13" long curve stone under-arch bridge (10 inches off base)5. 14" tall water fall (I may make this taller by putting the upper track on a bridge making the falls 20 inches high).6. Will be where the K-Line 'man fishing on pier' animated accessory is located - will be the foot of a double bridge.The brown house at the bottom of the hill from the passenger station is going to be a farm. The oil field across the river will consist of a Lionel Oil Field, pumping station and oil derrick. The hill above the oil field will house a coal mining operation, complete with coal mine... I have a few extra accessories to place, but you get the picture! There will be a lot of track for trains, loads of scenery, and quite a few animated accessories (some on constantly {oil field}, and some with switches around the perimeter for visitors to control {will also be able to turn them on constant as well}).Let me know what you think - I'm 75% certain this is it! Brent
Frank53 wrote:I'd happily give my opinion, but I got the red x of death where the photo should be.
Hey, that really looks great. I especially liked how you added animation of a train going thru the Hell Gate Bridge.
Oh. Sorry. Hee.
Brent,
Don't know what's happening now but when the image loads it degrades to the point where the image is barely recognizable at track plan. I was able to view it clearly during mid-loading though. Looks like tons of running fun!
Bruce Webster
Edited.........sorry Brent...I forgot to click on the image. Everything is fine!
I'm working on placing some additional accessories that I remembered that I have...I think I've decided to forego the milkcar/platform and the cattle car/stockade. Not sure how I am going to incorporate the trolley either... have decided to not get the budcars too... I already have 3 passenger trains, so I don't think I really need another.Question - where did the RR companies 'store' passenger cars when they weren't in use?Also haven't decided if I NEED the turntable/roundhouse or if an engine house would be more appropriate.
Another question - I have a Gantry Crane, has anyone used the gargraves gantry crane track? Is it worth it?
Sorry for the mixup earlier. Please take the following comments as constructive. By no means do I have the wealth of experience needed to develope the "perfect" plan. I do see some obvious areas of concern though. Looks like lots going on in this layout design and that in itself could lead to difficulties and compromises in convenience once completed. Here's what I observed.
I see you've chosen to use 3 separate levels, I assume to keep things simple? Unfortunately what this has done is burried a lot of track inside mountains. This could lead to no end of problems once scenery is done and trying to access stalled or derailed equipment raises it's ugly head. Another less important issue with having separate tracks is you'll always be handling equipment if you want a change of consist. Maybe a less busy track plan, perhaps on only 2 interconnect levels would give you more flexible operation ( all trains can access all the layout ) while leaving more of your track plan out in the open. I understand though...the urge to use every available bit of realestate is powerful.
The yard/service area could be made more interesting ( and prototypical ) by including one or two more lead in tracks to the turntable. You have the ideal situation already....simply extend the 2 tracks on either side of your main lead in track to the turntable. This way engines have a straight run into or out of their roundhouse stalls without having to move the turntable bridge with the engine on it to align it to an outgoing track. Adding one or two tracks along side the roundhouse would also allow for more loco parking. Add a switch or 2 in the yard area to connect 2 dead end tracks near their ends. Basicly this creates a passing siding. This can contribute greatly to using your engines to shift cars into different configurations, effectively eliminating the need to lift cars off the rails by hand to mix 'em up.
Again, this is not critisism. Just some thoughts on how to get more enjoyment outta your new layout.
Maybe down the road you will want the Budd cars again !! I only have the MPC ones but I sure enjoy them from time to time !!
I had the Lionel crane with just the hook, in the 90s with that section of Gargraves & it just seemed to make it all the more interesting for my son & I !! You can have a car run down the middle of that track underneath the crane & can move the crane anywhere on that track. Just a nice extra touch !
Everyone likes a nice turntable & roundhouse if you are going to have the space for it !!
You're going to have a great layout !! Just my opinion !!
Thanks, John
Hello Brent:
Very nice! I am envious. My only suggestion is to think about adding a reversing loop (or 2) somewhere in the layout to allow you to change directions without having to go back to the turntable. Keep us posted on your progress.
Regards,
John O
WOW! Thanks guys!All really good suggestions... Bruce, I hear what you are saying on the 'hidden' track issue! I have tried to steer clear of that but to do what I want, I can't find a better solution. I wanted dramatic level changes and no grades over 3%, to obtain that I had to go with hidden transitions and switches. Hopefully I will not have any problems! Thanks for recs on the yard! I will put them in if I can... turnouts takeup a lot of space... but I should be able to get them in there!Fife - sounds good when does the tour start? John - yeah I hear you on the TT/RH! I have always wanted one on my layout and everytime I remove it I start missing it! LOL!John - I'm not a big proponent on reversing loops... my problem with them are that they take up so much realestate... that and I've never really wanted my trains to change direction... guess I'm odd that way! LOL!And definitely! This will be documented with pics and videos... Hopefully some of you fellas will have a desire to help a buddy out!?!!?Brent
ok - now that I can see it, I can tell you what I think.
I think I am jealous of all that space!
Thanks to all for the input... I changed some stuff around and added some stuff that was missing (the coal line, accessories, etc), added three sidings near town, and added a passing siding down below, and connected some of the yard sidings.wish I could get the 3d viewer to work correctly, but all in all this is really taking shape!Oh also noticed I duped a building in town... removing it helped to open up some space so it doesn't appear as cramped. I really like the idea of adding an Ice House to the front town siding and probably a lumberyard as well. The distances may make it possible to do this and have some animated accessories up there... so that led me to add a sawmill and an ice platform... this is the 3D overview (terrain is messed up), but I don't think the sawmill and ice platform block the view of town. Probably add the tireswing somewhere near the farm. Also have a roadcrew - that will be over near the RR yard...Brent
Looking REALLY GREAT! You already have a reverse loop built in if you can connect the reverse in the bottom left hand corner to one of the two track sidings.
I think you could live without the reversing loop since your trains change directions as part of the loop, but I always try to get at least one in.
Also, to store extra unused cars I have a "stub" railine not connected to any other track (usually between connected loops or sidings (near the turntable?). Yes I still have to lift the cars to put them into operation, but then I can slip in a ton of more "on the rail" storage.
Jim H
I really like the way you've designed your layout. For the space you have...it really looks like you're getting the biggest bang for your buck. My bench work is going to be very close to the look you've went after. I have an area that is about 17'x17'. You've given me some very good ideas....so many that I've completely restarted my layout plan. It won't be an exact copy of yours...but I really like what you've done with your yard, TT and RH.
If you don't mind me asking...what track are you using? And...what is the switch setup starting at the turnoff going into the yard area? I've tried playing around with a few combos, but can't get it to flow as smoothly as you did.
This is just awesome...I can't wait to see the progress as you start making it reality.
Jerry
The latest revision adds lots of operating interest and flexiblity. And a 4th loop! Somebody's gonna need MORE POWER! ARG ARG ARG! WTG.
Bruce,Yeah I'm thinking I will need 2 more 180 power blocks for the ZW and another ZW with 2 additional 180 power blocks. Then I'll also need TMCCII and DCS... nothing like spending $1,000.00 on power and control!! Brent
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