new layout suggestions

[Gandy Dancer]

so we'd like to have a layout where we have fairly long runs and nothing too twisty so we can get these long trains\cars going and let them run.

That seems to be conflicting goals.  The twistier it is the longer the run will be.

I was thinking of a dog-bone for the longest run possible something like this (but more stylistic of couse):

Some clever uses of scenic barriers & some more hidden track could break this down into 3-4 scenes.

So here are the queations:1 - if I want to go to an "upper part of the n-scale 4x8 layout, can I jsut make a grade to go up (and then one to come back down)?.... I do the math and it loks like a 3% grade to really make it fit.

???  A simple up and over with loop of 11" radius. PI * diameter of 22" = a circumference of 69".  Going to a height of 1.5"   1.5/69 = 2.17%.  This could fit into a small corner (1/8th) of a 4x8 layout.

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

It wouldn't hurt ot read my beginner's guide clickable from my signature. Takes about 5 minutes.

I can't believe I've never read it, Chip.

This, I like:

Now unless you have the IQ of SpongeBob, somewhere along the line you are going to get bored.

[SpaceMouse]

It wouldn't hurt ot read my beginner's guide clickable from my signature. Takes about 5 minutes.

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

You have brought up a horse that I enjoy beating.....

You are aiming at a 4x8.  And a 4x8 may be what you want.  BUT......a 4x8 takes up a space more like 8x12 (at least) in order to walk around it.  So if you really have that much space you might consider a U shape or an L shape, which could give you longer runs and broader curves.  If you have already thought along these lines, and still want to 4x8, go for it.  But sometimes we just do the rectangle because it seems easiest.

If you want to design your own plan you should consider getting John Armstrong's "Track Planning for Realistic Operation".  It gives a lot of info on what can fit, what standards to use, and generally the thought process from beginning to complete design.

 

[CSX Robert]

What you are describing sounds similar to the Atlas Gulf Summit Lines...Susquehanna Valley Ry. layout plan:http://www.atlasrr.com/Code80/pages/11018.htm
Here is a web site where someone is building a modified version of it:http://www.billbentgen.com/railroad/index.htm

[SpaceMouse]

You can do a lot in that space in N. Here's a layout 3.5' x 7' that has half the layout set up for rail-fanning in the mountains and the other half for switching in dense urban canyons. Notice the backdrop down the center.

 

I guess what I'm saying is you have a lot of room to do things a little more sophisticated than what you are talking about and still have effects you are looking for.

[nik_n_dad]

I really have two questions. But first the background stuff, as requested:

- we run things like the super chief and the zephyr, so 12 passenger cars and 3 engines isn't too unusual

- the bllet trains typically have the front & rear cars, and then anywhere from 1 to 9 cars between- and thse tend to all be about the length of a passenger car or a little longer.

- so we'd like to have a layout where we have fairly long runs and nothing too twisty so we can get these long trains\cars going and let them run.

- hence the idea of having the "big loop" (with some other interesitng stuff off of the main line, if possible), and then build the other layout in the "center" of the table with potential overhangs of the loop below, creating tunnels below, or having bridges cross.

So here are the queations:

1 - if I want to go to an "upper part of the n-scale 4x8 layout, can I jsut make a grade to go up (and then one to come back down)?.... I do the math and it loks like a 3% grade to really make it fit

2 - The other (bigger) question is looking for ideas on what we should do to have the "layout on top of the layout"...with the "basic" loop 9and passing, figure-8, etc off of the mainline below, and something more tisty\interestin above....and ideally, a way to move some trains between the layers.

[Gandy Dancer]

What's the best way to connect the upper & lower layouts?...Since the "upper layout" is only 2" above the "lower layout", and all we have is a 4x8, it seems a helix is overkill,

You are correct.  There is plenty of room on a 4x8 for a normal track to connect between the levels.  I did it easily on a 2x8.  A helix would be way overkill.

I might be reading between the lines so correct me if I am wrong but is the real question, "How do I make the track change elevations instead of just being flat against the board?" 

How long is a bullet train? 

[nik_n_dad]

Mom is letting us have a bigger layout. We are currently running n-scale on a hollow core door. When we strated (it was dad's first foray into a layout), Nik was 5 and so the layour was really just a loop inside of a loop. It was a good experience and fun for boht of us.

Now that Nik is 8, and Mom is letting us have a 4x8' sheet for the n-scale layout, we're looking for some layout plans to start with.

We've seen some layouts where it's sort of tiered....meaning there's a loop of some sort (or figure 8) wiht some sidings, etc, and then in the middle there's another independent layout...sometimes the upper layout extends over the lower one, giving tunnels and bridges. In a few cases the layouts connect.

On our next 4x8 layout, we'd want to have a fair amount of track. We like to operate in two ways, sometimes letting one or two trains jsut run the loop (very cathartic at the end of the day). Sometimes we like to switch trains and engines around and then let them run.

We do want to have, somewhere on the layou, a very basic loop with wide radius cuves to run our long passenger trains and our bullet trains (probably the "lower layout". Passing, optional figure 8 paths, etc are ok too, as long as we have a way to run those long bullets.

Any good (or half-good) ideas on layouts?

What's the best way to connect the upper & lower layouts?...Since the "upper layout" is only 2" above the "lower layout", and all we have is a 4x8, it seems a helix is overkill, and well, I'm not sure I'm skilled to build one anyway ;-)

Any and all sugestions are helpful and welcome.

TIA