WHICH TYPE OF LAYOUT TO BUILD

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

Ho scale
I have the garage to do it in 19'-0" x 19'9"
shelf layout?
module type layout
I have to share the space with my kids
or one with big return loops on each end
36" maximum radius
#8s on the main
#6s in the yard
code 100
any suggestions

thanks

[SpaceMouse]

List out your givens and druthers. These will determine the direction you will head.

What has to be?
What would you like to see?

[dknelson]

A layout that size could be point to point and focus on local switching, no return loops (perhaps hidden staging) but the central question really is .... what kind of model railroading do you like?
If you have older Model Railroaders from the 1960s try to find their project railroad called the Sierra Pintada. It was a dual level western themed layout that i continue to think was ahead of its time
Dave Nelson

[pcarrell]

Seems to me that an area that size might lend itself well to a multi-shelf type layout with either a nolix or maybe a 2 or3 turn helix (or maybe a combination of the two). The whole thhing could be set up as a point to point that way while still giving a pretty long run. If you were a little more ambitious you you could put another nolix / helix at the other end and now it's essentially a loop.

The reason that I suggest this (even though a lot of people don't seem to care for a helix) is that having a multi decked layout provides not only a longer run in a given area, but also lends itself well to vastly different scenery on the different levels.

To illistrate, the layout that I am now building (N scale) models an interchange between a mainline class 1 railroad and a branchline on the lower level. There are also a couple of towns set out on some wings in the benchwork just for variety. This is set out in the countryside in Maine. The upper level is the other end or the branchline as it comes into the seaport through a large town and drops down to the docks.

These are very different scenes and by using a multi-deck design I don't have to model any transition from one scene to the other (although that can be fun too).

I also get to pack a lot of action into a pretty small area. Just think of all the action these industries would generate. A port, complete with a fishery.....a couple of small farming towns...and an interchange with a major railroad. Now realize that all this is in an area that is 9 foot by 4 foot and you start to see what I mean i think.

Just my 2 cents. [:D]

[IRONROOSTER]

With kids, I would build a shelf layout around the walls. Leave the center open for them to play in, plus you get more layout. If you attach it to the wall high enough, they can play underneath it as well as store their toys there. BTW I would finish off the garage at least with insulation, wall board, and some kind of floor finishing - even if it is just paint. Also seal the garage doors. If you heat and cool it you can use it year round.
Enjoy
Paul

[orsonroy]

If you have to share the space with family, go with a shelf layout. 19x19.9 is a BIG space, and you could easily build a two level around the walls layout with no helix. A 12" space between levels would work out to only about a 1.2% grade, which is pretty mild for most layouts.

[Anonymous]

Depending on door and window locations, and whether you would ever need to open the garage door, I'd start with an around the walls, point to point, layout. In a few years those kids will be leaving home and you can add peninsulas with return loops for continuous running if you want that capability.

[selector]

I agree with the start simple with shelf and add later crowd. If you think this through carefully, right from the start, you could do the layout in two or three phases. Phase one could be the immediate shelf, and tinker with it for the next several years, learning as you go. When the kids are rarely around (from about 12-14 on), kick in phase II that will mate very nicely with an open end of phase I. Make sure you build it so that it comes apart easily into about six or eight sections that can be horsed into a moving van, if that is likely to happen within the next 10 years. I say this knowing that many would love to move and have to rebuild from scratch, but others might have a great fondness and pride in an exceptional layout, and would hate to part with it.

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

Well I got a prelim sketch
around the walls
I was going to build it sectional
nice big yard, steam facilitiescoal mine opposit side of room with a few leads and passing track
bridge over a river
seems it should be okay

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

[selector]

UP, you tried to post a pic. If you attempted to use one of your own, stored on your computer, the MR server can't reach it. You can get a free membership at www.railimages.com (it'll take a couple of days to get registered), and then the MR server will be able to retrieve your image(s) from the webhost railimages.

[ereimer]

i get the 'broken picture' icon when i look at your message , but when i click on the icon i get the trackplan . odd , but i guess it works [:)]

the plan looks very good , i know that a lot of people like making up a train in the yard and then running it around a loop back to the yard and then breaking it down , and your plan looks perfect for that style of operation . also leaves plenty of room for the kids to do whatever in the middle of the room

[selector]

I like that plan, too. It is straightforward, relatively simple, and has variety.

[NZRMac]

Heres the track plan you fellas!!

Ken.

[LuthierTom]

ONE THAT RUNS! (sorry, couldn't resist)

Keep it simple but expandable.

[pcarrell]

Thats quite a yard! Man, the damage I could do with a yard like that!

Any more industries in the planning stages? [8D]

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

I know there are cattle pens at the beginning of the yard
maybe I will do those
other than that no

[West Coast S]

Keeping it true to protoype..There is virtually no online industries on this section of the UP. You could work in Potash and coal movements to suggest that revenue is generated from a unmodeled location. Green River was a crew/engine,caboose change point so you could also swap locomotives and cabooses, say every other lap to simulate different movements. Normally, i'm not one for continous running or loop type designs, but for a UP layout your'e plan is fantastic.

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

Well there is a lot to model there. The station looks pretty challenging and the pedestrian walkway, I could put railfan on it taking pictures. Just the backdrop with the castlerocks that are known in that area. I already took the 500 ton coal tower and kitbashed it into looking like the Green River one. Needs some sand towers some stairways. The 96' roundhouse and all of its added on stalls
so its not as barren as it sounds.

[chateauricher]

UP,

Looks like a good plan. But I do have a couple questions for you to consider.

How do you plan to access the center of ther room? A duck-under? Lift-out bridge? I would suggest some sort of lift-out, swing-up/away bridge rather than a duck-under. Eventually, you're going to get tired of bending over to get under your benchwork.

I also suggest you make sure you have enough room to access your fuse panel. I can't tell what the dimensions are; but I suspect its a little tight.

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

Yes a lift out is being considered.
As for the fuse box the layout I am tearing down now sits in the smae area and I have ad to take the cover off to access fueses no sweat.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

UP
Have you looked into a figure 8 inside itself? If someone cares (who has the mag) to put a pic of the track plan form the MR September, 1973, vol 40, nu 9 up, it has the UP oregon Division in around the wall style with a nice yard (no turn table though).
Q is how much are you going to stick to prototype?

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

I cleaned up the sketch and worked the yards over pretty good to include as mouch of the prototypical track work as possible. So I guess sticing to prototype is a requirement. I have the coaling tower is done I will scrach build the roundhouse and a few other structures.

[UNIONPACIFIC4018]

Now I am thinking maybe I should do Cheyenne WY modern day
show whats left of the round house and back shops. I can also do modern motive power. could be really intersting
I could take it to fantasy level and get a big bo number it 4023 and show it running steam exscursions.