CSXFan wrote: I thought about building a layout identical to Dave Vollmer's Pennsylvania Middle Division and setting it in a modern era, but I just can't bring myself to copy someone else's work.
I thought about building a layout identical to Dave Vollmer's Pennsylvania Middle Division and setting it in a modern era, but I just can't bring myself to copy someone else's work.
Why not? I copied the layout from a Lou Sassi project from MR in the early 90's! He did it as eraly Conrail/Amtrak in upstate New York, but the track plan is essentially the same (I added two sidings and changed two turnouts such that the mainline didn't take the diverging route).
Have at it! Heck, even if I'd come up with the layout plan all by myself, I wouldn't have it plastered all over the web if I wanted to keep it a secret.
I'm flattered that you liked my layout design, but like I said, it's not all mine anyway!
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Thanks for the replies everyone,
I made an error in my original post. It is a 36"x80" layout
pcarrell, the layout is a walk around so I will be able to reach all sides. I'll see if I can add a connection to "the out side world". That's a very good idea. I tried tilting the plan but it moved some of the track too close to the edge.
Mouse, I see what you mean by the main shifting over, but I don't really think it does. I think it's just because of the way the crossovers are positioned. I'm going to change that because one of the crossovers is facing the wrong way.
concretelackey, no, I don't live in PA, but I do live in Michigan where the only two seasons are winter and construction, and both of them stink.
Chartiers, I thought about building more simple layout, but I don't want to get bored with it after just a few laps. The 20 turnouts aren't that big of a problem because I will be using the Fast Tracks jigs to create my own turnouts. I thought about building a layout identical to Dave Vollmer's Pennsylvania Middle Division and setting it in a modern era, but I just can't bring myself to copy someone else's work.
I'll rework the plan and post it in a few days, thanks again.
If it's a 30" door, 14" is not your minimum radius. At best, it's your outer radius of your double-track mainline (that leaves very little room along the edge of the layout for a ballast shoulder even at 14"). Your inner would then be 12.5" or 12.75."
I use a 36" wide door and I use 13.5" as my inner and 15" as my outer. This leaves me plenty of room along the layout edge for ballast shoulder, signalling, etc.
Reese
Modeling NS One Locomotive At a Time
I hope you get to build and finish your layout before you move-on to other interests. Someday later in life you'll probably come back to model railroading like the most of us.
Since you said you are limited in money, and maybe time, I would be concerned with doing a 30"x80" layout with 21 turnouts. Maybe it would be a good idea to simplify the trackplan so you will have time to finish it without costing you a lot of money.
SpaceMouse wrote:It's a little thing, but I don't like the way the main shifts in the lower left. It reminds me of the "New Traffic Patterns" on the highway when it is under construction. My guess is the prototype would not want their mainline traffic crossing over without need.
Space Mouse, you must remember that the OP does not live in pennsylvania (the land of perpetual road work where the state animal is the great yellow flashing saw horse, the state motto is "DETOUR NEXT 300 MILES, and where if they say a road is completed it REALLY means that in 3 years they will need to move it/change it/close it).
SM does have a point that could be easily remedied. Just place a LH turnout on the outer loop inside of a RH. You may need to widen the tunnel entrance a bit but it would add some flavor.
just my
[edit] Ok, I jumped the gun.............it has a RH already. It just may appear to shift over because of the pic?
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
It looks like a workable plan. Obviously you can walk around it and reach all areas?
I'd look at doing two things though.
First, I'd add a connection to the outside world. A turnout that leads towards the corner of the layout could add not only a outside world connection but also could serve as a place to add on to the layout for future expantion.
Second, it would add a lot of visual interest if you "tilt" the plan a little so that the tracks don't run parallel to the tables edge. Just tipping it a little does a lot visually. It makes the layout look bigger by forcing the eye to not calculate the size of the tables edge so much. Personally, I just think it looks more interesting too.
Other then that, looks good!
Hi all,
I had to destroy my old layout because my house is being remodeled and the new floor plan doesn't leave enough room for a layout that size. I've decided to go with a 30"x80" hollow core door for a few reasons. 1) I don't have enough room for a larger layout. 2) I want a layout that I can finish before I graduate high school and leave for college. 3) I don't want it to cost too much. To be honest I'm becoming more and more interested in trucks and the majority of my spending money will be going toward that.
What do you think? I don't really have an operating plan yet. It's just continuous running with occasional switching. I haven't really decided what industries will be included, but I do know I want a grain mill somewhere on the layout. Do you see any major problems? Anything that you would change? Thanks in advance.