Any layout ideas

[Autobus Prime]

GR:

There's nothing wrong with a 6x6 table if you allow for access to everything. You can do this in a number of ways: keep the tracks within reach of the edges; put in popouts or access holes (ducking under once in a while to do maintenance on something isn't a huge problem; we all have to duck and climb under the table once in a while to do wiring repairs etc.) You could even make an old-style central operating pit and turn it into an access hatch if the duckunder bothers you. The important thing is to try it, but not to get too heavily invested until you know what you want. I suggest that you sketch up a rough track plan, then put down a flat top and play with sectional track until you work the bugs out of the plan.

A large island layout has some advantages. With a lot of depth to play with, you can have a large scene, instead of just modeling the trackside. You are also more free to have tracks that branch off at oblique angles, instead of remaining alongside the main.

What sort of layout do you want? If you really don't know, I'd suggest a double-track oval, deformed so it doesn't parallel the board edges perfectly, with two crossovers so trains can meet each other, a city with a small yard and some industrial spurs, a branch line, and an interchange. I think you can fit these in 6 x 6.

Consider stretching a plan meant for N scale 4 x 6, or angling it diagonally, to suit your area. You want to avoid a mechanical appearance.

You could also build a 6x6 L-shaped table. This would allow you a longer run, as you could use the center more efficiently, and make the result less likely to look stilted.

I suggest you look up as many track plans as you can find to get ideas. Atlas has a bunch on their site. Don't neglect plans in other scales. An HO 4x6 plan could look very nice if built the same size, but with N scale.

http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/index.htm

[Anonymous]

A 6 X 6 could be hinged in the middle and placed on a movable platform.  When not in use it could be moved to the side of the room or placed in a closet.  This feature would also allow one to get to center sections without having to cut in popups.

[John Busby]

Hi Greatplains Railroader

First off flat ground isn't flat it sort of undulates so don't forget a few raised bits in the scenery even if its only the thickness of a couple of sheets of corrugated cardboard.

Six X six does seem a funny size but I would divide the space in half with a back scene, covering the mouse hole for the trains could get interesting if the scenery is predominantly flat

But this blocks the view of the trains allowing two totally unrelated sites that are supposedly hundreds of miles apart to be done  say the big city one side and the one horse town where even the horse has left the other side

By blocking the view of the trains and the other side of the layout you gain the impression of the train going somewhere and dont loose the realism of a scene because the next one intrudes into it.

If this is the first layout keep the track plan simple and manageable and have a point to extend the layout built in, these things tend to take on a life of there own and do grow it is better to extend rather than go back to zero operations.

Until it reaches the no choice point extension is the way to go.

Regards John