Hi everyone,
Finally getting back into model railroading again. Great site and good info here. Well I'm working with a layout 8' X 8' L-shaped and it's 4' wide. I used Xtrkcad and the Atlas track. My plan is to use Bachmann EZ-track. I'm putting an elevation on the left side, second track in, which will lead to a coal mine. The two sidings at the bottom left are for container trains. The questions I have is this too much for the size? Does anyone see problems with the track design. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!
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Welcome back to the hobby and the forum.
Your pic is too small (even when I click on it) to see if there's any issues to address. Any chance there's a bigger pic?
There's something wrong with the image link:
src="http://thumb17.webshots.net/t/62/462/3/9/67/2920309670054173097GOewPz_th.jpg"
Remove the "_th" at the end, and maybe it will work.
Svein
EDIT: Here it is:
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2920309670054173097GOewPz
Don't mention it. Wasn't sure if I was allowed to do it that way, but anyway it worked out OK...
I don't have time to comment on the layout per se other than to say if you lay it out in Atlas then go to EZ track, you need to add about 10% to the dimensions. I found out the hard way.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Welcome to the forum. Is this a design for a currently available space in which you'd like to build a layout or a more generic design exercise?
I am sorry to say that I see a lot of concerns with what you have drawn compared to what is possible in that space if this is intended to be an operating layout. The first is access. That huge solid table will require a number of pop-up "prairie dog" holes for access, especially if you can't walk all the way around it.
The switchback industry spurs are a common model magazine gimmick that is usually a bad idea.
The Bachmann Easy-Track is often problematic and will not fit in the same space as the Atlas track.
Dogbone-style loops are often a better choice in this kind of space. Often new designers think of using a space by plopping down rectangular tables (one or more, as many as will fit). More experienced designers look at how to best use the overal space for layout surface and for asisles for the builder and viewers.
You don't yet have a yard and no staging. These are not absolute requirements, but a lot of folks would recommend them as good elements for a design this size to help it continue to be itneresting over time.
If you are motivated to design your own layout, I would strongly suggest that you take a step back from the CAD until you have spent some time digesting some design concepts. A great source is John Armstrong's book Track Planning for Realistic Operation (Kalmbach).
If you want to start building right away and don't wish to invest the time first in design background, you might want to pick a quality published design that can be adapted to your overall space.
Good luck and have fun.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
afboone wrote:The space is a corner in the basement, 12 x 9, not a large basement. I thought about a dog bone but still trying to keep a 24" radius. I want to keep the L-shaped. No rush on build. Just want the most for the area. Thanks.
I'll second the advice on getting and reading Trackplanning for Realistic Operation, at least twice. Look at the alphabet of shapes, I think you can do better than an L. I think a U will fit, and still have 24" curves at the turnarounds. I also think the switching puzzle should go. I think you can do better. And you are probably really going to want some kind of yard. OTher than that, it's fine!
You can get a better image of your layout to post by printing to bitmap, and then using your favorite image manipulation software to convert it to a jpg, and then post it.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
I have to admit, that's a very creative use of track.
However...there are a few problems to work out, not the least of which is being able to reach your trains.
Byron pretty much has it nailed. In addition to Realistic Operations, take a look at my "Beginner's Guide" clickable from my signature. Takes about 5 minutes to read.
This probably won't work with your space exactly, but it's an example of what might be done in a similar space with 24" minimum radius on the main line. This very quick sketch has a couple of issues of its own (like the turnout under the bridge), but hopefully it will give you some ideas as to alternatives to explore.
I couldn't tell from your drawing where the access was to the 12X9 space, this assumes it is from the right side of the sketch. If there is not also access from the bottom of the sketch, you need the access space at the lower left, otherwise you could be more flexible in this area.
Hope it helps a little. I would again strongly suggest the Armstrong book I recommended earlier.
And for anyone reading who would like to dive into greater depth on layout design topics, you can do no better than the Layout Design SIG.