Getting ready to finally get started with my next project a new wall around layout in my basement. This is version 5 with some possible minor changes on one end. Also possible hidden siding on the main level. But still kicking that around at the moment. This one will be all DCC.
4x8 are fun too!!! RussellRail
Lucky you - I wish I had that space available. Actually, my train room has about the same size, but due to door and window positioning, plus the fact that has a sloping ceiling, limits the use quite considerable - so my thread "Furnishing a train room"
This big a space opens a variety of possibilities of more "elegant" layout design. I have noticed that all of your track is neatly arranged and lined up the the sides. Second issue is that your layout appears to be double tracked, but in fact is more like to separate ovals connected with a crossover. Maybe just one track, but minimum 2 long enough passing sidings offer more operational possibilities. Just think of it...
Is this all track or are you planning to put buildings somewhere near the track?
There are a few sidings that you won't be able to get out of with your engine once you get in.
Other than that, I'd suggest you read my beginner's guide clickable from my signature.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
I'd do some more work with this plan, it looks pretty limiting. Some things you may want to consider are some passing sidings, especially to avoid industry switching areas. Some run arounds in industry switching areas. Map out where you want buildings to be.
Some specific problems include
Good Luck,
Greg
Greg Amer
The Industrial Lead
I sense no purpose here except to have two oval maintrack routes with several sets of short spurs to stuff cars and locomotives. There is lots of room for something you could find more interesting and satisfying. On the other hand, if this is your first layout, you might just go with what you have but make sure track can be removed without damage if and when you want to revise as your knowledge of railroads and the hobby evolves. Heck, I heavily revised my first layout twice within three years even though the wizard of layout design John Armstrong created the original track plan.
Mark
This was the original plan but it just did feel right.
markpierce I sense no purpose here except to have two oval maintrack routes with several sets of short spurs to stuff cars and locomotives. There is lots of room for something you could find more interesting and satisfying. On the other hand, if this is your first layout, you might just go with what you have but make sure track can be removed without damage if and when you want to revise as your knowledge of railroads and the hobby evolves. Heck, I heavily revised my first layout twice within three years even though the wizard of layout design John Armstrong created the original track plan. Mark
You know then where I'm coming from. I want to build some that is my own design. not something out of a book. I did that for my 4 x 8 and I made some changes to it too. I was looking for a branch line configuration with some mainline switching involed with it. Buy the way I've been in the hobby for 20+ years. I have 2 completed layouts that will hook to this one eventully.
gpa I'd do some more work with this plan, it looks pretty limiting. Some things you may want to consider are some passing sidings, especially to avoid industry switching areas. Some run arounds in industry switching areas. Map out where you want buildings to be.
Any ideas with a drawing would help.
SpaceMouse Is this all track or are you planning to put buildings somewhere near the track? There are a few sidings that you won't be able to get out of with your engine once you get in. Other than that, I'd suggest you read my beginner's guide clickable from my signature.
First of all I'm no beginner, this will be my 7th layout that I'm going to build. I have 2 that when to completion out of 6. 1 was destroyed by a flooded basement. So I'm no beginner with the exception of learning DCC, and that been a big learning curve too. I was looking for some advise of what I have in mind for my new layout. The bench work is done, it just getting the plan formulated for getting some track laid soon.
You gave us drawing for comment. It looks like it has no purpose or reason. It is track-based. You took the space and started laying down track.
A good design is image based. That means that with your 20 years of experieince, you have a pretty good idea of what you want your railroad to do and look like. Focus on that. What would it take? What do you need?
Do you want purposeful operations?
Do you just want to watch trains go?
Do you want a place to display your models?
We can't tell you that.
Maybe you aren't a beginner, but that doesn't mean that a refocus like the one in that article wouldn't help. Take you 5 minutes. (Now if it's online yet. been out since yesterday)
I like this plan better.
It gives you the ability to run opposing trains using both loops.
The lower siding/run around track will make it much easier to switch the industries in the lower areas.
I'd be careful with running track beneath any of the switches if you intend to use under the table switch machines.
Do you have an operating idea for this plan? Where do trains originate, where do they go? Also where to you intend to tie in your other 2 layouts?
Well I scraped version 5 for version 6. Hopefully this will be more to my liking. The main line is divided into 2 loops. the inner loop with switching is 4" higher than the outer loop with a connector between the 2. Its also 1 foot shorter on the length. It also conects directly to my yard on the left side. The grade between loops is only 2.0%.
I don't see a purpose to this laout. I don't see where traffic "comes from" to "go to". I see loops of track that don't accomplish much other then being loops of track.
I'm not sure I understand the four track "yard" at the bottom either? At most, you can use three tracks in that yard if you expect to classify anything. In flat switching areas, having more then 50% of the capacity taken up makes it a real chore to accomplish anything. Both "real world" and in the modelling world too.
I see lots of "stuff" but nothing really stands out as being part of a finished plan.
This space reserved for SpaceMouse's future presidential candidacy advertisements
But, that said, one way to evaluate a plan is to mentally run some trains on it, and here we quickly see a major flaw: You have a connector track from the upper, inner loop to the lower, outer loop, but what happens when a train runs down this connector to the lower loop? Now it's trapped down there in the lower loop, and the only way out is to back the train back up the connector - not so good. So, you could add another connector track to let it back out, or add a run-around track (or a whole station area) in the lower loop to allow the engine to switch to the other end of the train and head back up the connector.
You say this will be DCC, so presumably you will want to run more than one train at a time. Try to visualize how these trains will interact - the upper loop has a passing siding/run-around track at the bottom which will help, but you may want more passing sidings. Also, with this much space, some staging (yes, I know, it's everyone's holy grail, but it really will make running trains more interesting) would be a good addition; take the time to read SpaceMouse's Guide to Layout Design in his earlier post.
I have found that reading others' requests on this forum for comments on their layout designs brings out some good points for consideration, some things come up over and over again, there must be a reason...
You are going to invest a LOT of time (as you already know) in building a layout of this size, please don't short-change the planning process, because it will determine the pleasure and satisfaction you derive for a long time to come. And although it may not always seem like it, all the posters here want to see you enjoy your efforts to the best extent possible. Best of luck to you!
- Gerhard
Don´t get discouraged by some of the gruff comments you get in this forum from those who have just a little too much self-esteem. There are others, who are more helpful than these so-called experts, and it is always worthwile catching their comments.
Take your time and enjoy!
GraniteRailroader I don't see a purpose to this laout. I don't see where traffic "comes from" to "go to". I see loops of track that don't accomplish much other then being loops of track. I'm not sure I understand the four track "yard" at the bottom either? At most, you can use three tracks in that yard if you expect to classify anything. In flat switching areas, having more then 50% of the capacity taken up makes it a real chore to accomplish anything. Both "real world" and in the modelling world too. I see lots of "stuff" but nothing really stands out as being part of a finished plan.
First of all does it need a purpose. A long time ago someone told me that this is supposed to be fun. Have a place to have some fun, I like to run trains and I like to do switching duties. And for some reason it seams to me that you have not been to a rail yard like I have. I been in the trucking industry for 20+ years And I've been in all types of yards. Somethings have to been condenced to fit in some space that you have. We all don't have 40 x 60 building to build a dream layout, some of us have a bedroom and in my case a basement to do this.
There is a purpose here. I have 2.5 x 12 yard that I'm hooking to this. Freight comes out of the yard goes on a short journey to this place to switch out and return to the yard to switch out to the mainline. There is a purpose here. As I will restate, does it really need purpose always.
Sir Madog Don´t get discouraged by some of the gruff comments you get in this forum from those who have just a little too much self-esteem. There are others, who are more helpful than these so-called experts, and it is always worthwile catching their comments. Take your time and enjoy!
Thank You Sir M