Looking for suggestions on my layout plan

[Anonymous]

I am working out a layout plan to build in N scale. This is a first attempt at it. I initially drew this up about 22 years ago, but it was a little inaccurate [sigh] so I am redesigning it in XtrkCad. I had considered putting some Nn3 on it, but I think it makes it too busy. I am wanting a mountain railroad, so short trains and smaller steam engines. I am not modeling any particular line or area. Thanks for any feedback...I can use all the help I can get.

(hope this link works)

http://mysite.verizon.net/res7dnh3/modelrailroad

Martin

[dgwinup]

Hi, Martin.

The link works, but on my computer, I really can't see the trackplan well enough. It looks interesting for what I can see.

You might try posting it to railimages.com (you need to set up an account to do that - it's free.) Then post the railimages link here and maybe that will improve it enough.

I'll watch for you next posting.

Darrell, quiet...for now

[Anonymous]

If you download the linked gif, it is much clearer. I am trying to use trainimages.com, but so far I can only log onto trainboard forums...not sure why I register at trainimages, and end up on trainboards. I will work on that some more.

Martin

[SpaceMouse]

[SpaceMouse]

IT does look like an older design, one that would have been designed 20 years ago. The layout as an island, takes up a lot of room. You could get more layout out of an around the walls layout.

What you have is a few good industrial spurs and that makes for fairly good operations. However, that being said, you could get a nice yard and as many industrial spurs and more trackage with an around the room layout.

That said, with what you have, you might want to put a runaround near your switchback spur in the center so you can drop cars off in both spurs.

[tstage]

Martin,

You're layout is very similar to an Atlas HO layout (#16):



Chip's suggestion for a yard and runaround track is on target.

Tom

[ereimer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

That said, with what you have, you might want to put a runaround near your switchback spur in the center so you can drop cars off in both spurs.

make it a nice long runaround and you could call it a passing siding so trains going in opposite directions could meet . i see there is a passing siding on the left side of the layout , but i think you need at least 2 . another posibility is to lengthen the runaround you have at the lower right , i'm guessing it's too short to hold a complete train

[Anonymous]

thank you for the feedback. I will definately look into the runaround track. The reason I am making an island layout is that the space I have to build in is temporary, so it needs to be moveable. I have a guest house in my backyard, but my wife isn't ready to let me turn it into a railroad room just yet. =( I will be building it in a spare office at my business for now.

Martin

Martin

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer
another posibility is to lengthen the runaround you have at the lower right ,

[#ditto]
That was my first thought as well. With two passing sidings you could then run two trains simultaniously. I think the easiest way to do this is to move it to the other side of the main. You could then use the diverging leg of the turnout to repleace the last part of the existing curve (on the left).