Hello to everyone, i come to see if there would be anyone out there that enjoys the design aspect of model railroading and that might be interested in helping me "Re Design" or alter a track plan to accomodate my benchwork? The layout i am referring to is the "Salt Lkae Route" which was designed to fit into a 4'x9' layout. My new benchwork is an around the room shelf style design now measuring 12'x20'. My benchwork that i am currently building is like i said, a walk in style shelf around the room. The shelves are 2' wide with a planned turnaround at each end on each side of the room that will measure 40" to accomodate a nice radius turn around. I am not looking for every detail to be axact, rather just to take some of the nicer points of the layout such as the river scene, mountains, some continuious running with some double main line and i would also like to be able to squeeze some industry and maybe a smaller yard for switching/storage etc. if possible somewhere. As of right now i am working at just 1 level but i am not opposed to adding a second lever at some point. I am not necessarily stuck on the location or era as modeled in the salt lake route, i prefer the eastern part of the USA especially the Appalachian Mountain region. As far as era i am partial to the post steam era but not the newest or biggest locos, mainly the early SD and GP days of diesel. Also, i have no particular road in mind to model after but i am partial to the Chessie, B&O, C&O days. I would be willing to pay someone if that person thinks they might be interested in helping me. I have been messing around with AnyRail on my computer but i am in no way a professional with it yet. Anyways, i will attach a couple of pics of the originol layout as well as a rough drawing of my benchwork. Also, i am not set in stone on the salt lake route, i just like a few of the features of it like i mentioned so please feel free to suggest or reccomend any track plan that would fit my benchwork that might also have some of the things i like about the salt lake route....Many thanks!
Just a little update concerning my current track plan or my plan in general....I have decided that after much thinking and contemplation i am going to scrap the "Salt Lake Route" idea as far as designing my new track plan based off of it. I have decided that the only reason that i ever built the SLR was due to space restraints and being bored. I have decided that i want this new bench work to be home for an entirely unique and new design based on my givens and druthers as well as what equipment i plan to run. Also the era i really like will play a big role in my new design/layout. Anyways, i just wanted to let everyone know this just in case someone out there was to decide to work up a track plan based on the SLR. I still welcome any and all help, suggestions and comments working forward on my new layout.....Thanks again everyone!
I think your much better off designing a new layout with your new space.
Keep us posted with your layout designs. There a many on here that give good constructive ideas as you design your layout.
I take it you will still be in N scale?
Mike.
My You Tube
I would strongly advise you to have a track plan BEFORE building any benchwork. Otherwise you will be artificially limiting yourself to a predefined benachwork form which will most likely be less than an ideal use of the space.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Here is basically what im looking for. This was found searching the web but i really like the track plan other than my shelve being 24" and his is 28". Also his room size is somewhat smaller than my 12'x20' and the one turnback penninsula i have built is 40" where his is 33.5". What is some of your thoughts on me possibly expandind this plan to fit my needs and maybe omitting a few of the front tracks on the straight where his is 28" and mine is only 24"? I dont want to copy his exact track plan but i sure do like it. Anyways, your comments are appreciated!
I assume this is N scale? Can you effectively reach the back side in the 40" turn back areas from the "aisle"?
Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.
- Photo album of layout construction -
Looks like it is marked N scale in the diagram.
Hey OneWolf, how is the layout coming along?
rrinker I would strongly advise you to have a track plan BEFORE building any benchwork. Otherwise you will be artificially limiting yourself to a predefined benachwork form which will most likely be less than an ideal use of the space. --Randy
Yes. Design track plan first, then benchwork to fit. Horse before the cart!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
RR_Mel That layout has one thing I didn’t have on my “Must Have List”, a second long storage track. Looking back the more storage tracks the better.
When I designed and built my basic layout it was in the late 80s. I didn’t have any idea that I would have the ability to run multiple trains simultaneously. My layout is an HO scale twice-around, a connected double loop with 3½% grade and a 3½% helix, partially hidden in my mountains. Mel
Even if you aren't running multiple trains simultaniously, you can still leave entire trains on the track to simulate a day of scheduled trains, or run different trains as you feel like it.
Storage/staging tracks is one of things I neglected to consider when I built my small layout.
riogrande5761 RR_Mel That layout has one thing I didn’t have on my “Must Have List”, a second long storage track. Looking back the more storage tracks the better. For sure. I went a little nuts and had 11 staging tracks on my 10x18' layout. When I designed and built my basic layout it was in the late 80s. I didn’t have any idea that I would have the ability to run multiple trains simultaneously. My layout is an HO scale twice-around, a connected double loop with 3½% grade and a 3½% helix, partially hidden in my mountains. Mel Even if you aren't running multiple trains simultaniously, you can still leave entire trains on the track to simulate a day of scheduled trains, or run different trains as you feel like it.
Onewolf I assume this is N scale? Can you effectively reach the back side in the 40" turn back areas from the "aisle"?
Yes Sir i can reach the back side of the 40" from the aisle but i also have access from the end of the turnback also so getting to the back of the layout at the 40" turnback is no problem and yes, it is N scale.....Thanks!
The signature feature of MR´s Salt Lake Route project layout was the front part with the track "snaking" through the breathtaking scenery. Somehow, this gets lost in the layout idea you show us, making that layout yet another visually boring layout filled with way too much track!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Like you, I am a fan of Appalachian railroads. The mountainous terrain guides the twisting trackage. Unfortunately, the Grit City plan is so linear that changing it to a mountain scene by erecting mountains over the tracks would certainly be disappointing to anyone familiar with such landscape.
I suggest you look at plans on Dan Bourques' website appalachianrailroadmodeling.com for inspiration (includes N-guage). Also you may enjoy reading Tony Koester's "The Allegheny Midland: lessons learned" and the classic design guide by John Armstrong "Track Planning for Realistic Operation."
Hope this helps,
JimW
Tinplate Toddler The signature feature of MR´s Salt Lake Route project layout was the front part with the track "snaking" through the breathtaking scenery. Somehow, this gets lost in the layout idea you show us, making that layout yet another visually boring layout filled with way too much track!
You sir are correct and i see what you mean. I am just desperate to try and get some kind of layout going is one reason i picked the track plan that i did. I think i will go back and do some more reading and give it some more thought....Thanks again, it sure is easy to loose sight of what you want on a layout and get drawn into doing just any old thing.....
Trainzman2435I am just desperate to try and get some kind of layout going is one reason i picked the track plan that i did.
With the risk of angering some posters who have given you advice, I'll give you my advice.
Don't overthink.
Don't over plan.
Don't obsess over over drawings.
Build a table, get some flex track, and start laying it out on the table. Turn it, reverse it, and get a loop of some kind laid out. Join the sections, add some wires, and get a locomotive running.
You can then change things you don't like, add to sections, add another section of table and extend it, and add some more sections. After all this, if you don't like it, then take out what you don't like and try something different.
After you've done this, you will have learned what works, what doesn't work, what you like, what you wish you would have done, etc. If you are completely unhappy with it, then junk the whole thing and start over. Some of the people posting here are working on their 3rd or 4th layout.
Now, that's my opinion, and for many, they probably think I've given you bad advice. But it's your hobby. Do what you want. Enjoy the process and the work.
York1 John
York1 Trainzman2435 I am just desperate to try and get some kind of layout going is one reason i picked the track plan that i did. With the risk of angering some posters who have given you advice, I'll give you my advice. Don't overthink. Don't over plan. Don't obsess over over drawings. Build a table, get some flex track, and start laying it out on the table. Turn it, reverse it, and get a loop of some kind laid out. Join the sections, add some wires, and get a locomotive running. You can then change things you don't like, add to sections, add another section of table and extend it, and add some more sections. After all this, if you don't like it, then take out what you don't like and try something different. After you've done this, you will have learned what works, what doesn't work, what you like, what you wish you would have done, etc. If you are completely unhappy with it, then junk the whole thing and start over. Some of the people posting here are working on their 3rd or 4th layout. Now, that's my opinion, and for many, they probably think I've given you bad advice. But it's your hobby. Do what you want. Enjoy the process and the work.
Trainzman2435 I am just desperate to try and get some kind of layout going is one reason i picked the track plan that i did.
Thank you sir and i do appreciate your advice. I am going to go ahead and get a few things laid out and at least get a train running....Then from there who knows? Thanks to everyone, i do appreciate all of your commensts and suggestions!