Hi!
I'm currently designing the rebuild of my 11x15 HO model railroad which was built in the early '90s. I'm experienced in scale drawing, and have been in the hobby since the '50s. While others drew planes and cars or just doodled, I was sketching layout plans. My point is that I am not a "newbie" in this area.
The new layout is two connected (via 2 1/2 % grade) levels, with the lower being staging and storage. The lower level is not too different from what I have now, and the scale drawing is pretty well set. The upper level is basically a "fill up the room" layout, with a duck under and opening in the center - again not too different from what I have today. The upper level has dual main lines, a steam/diesel terminal, and a 6 track yard, all of which are pretty well set.
Minimum radius for the mains are 28", sub main and terminal is 26", and the freight yard and industry sidings are 24". Turnouts are #8 for the mains, # 6 for sub-mains and terminal, and #4 for yard and industrial sidings.
The remaining challenge is working in the industries & structures (most are completed on the existing layout) without ending up with a non-sensical bowl of spaghetti (being 1/2 Italian from Chicago, I guess that isn't too bad). Frankly, I could use another 20 or 30 square feet, and could use one of those fabled "room stretchers" I read about once. Anyway, I'll be "pickin and chosin" priorities for structure usage, and know that some will end up in storage boxes. That's pretty sad, but maybe I could switch them out periodically and give them all a chance.
Hey, ENJOY - for that's what the hobby is all about!!!!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Having interchangable industry buildings sounds like a good idea. Just need to decide which ones would be appropriate for the surroundings and have the tracks work for them.