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What else is new - layout dilema (maybe)

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  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Thursday, February 12, 2009 9:10 PM

rrinker
Hmm, crazy idea - just put the foam on my benchwork and buy a bunch of Unitrack and build one layout, run it for a while, then change it to a different one... except this time I'd actually liek to try a...

I do that all the time.  I keep a huge box of all sorts and types of sectional track that I can layout to actually try things I see on paper.   Often what looks good on paper has "gotchas" one would never find without actually operating it.   I've also discovered lots of cool things I've never seen in books by just laying out track and trying different combinations.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, February 12, 2009 8:45 PM

OK, here are my drawings, slightly modified version of the above plan using Fastracks #4.5 specs (and an Atlas Code 83 Wye). The first one is the same orientation, the second is mirrored which as mentioned in my first post may actually fit my space a bit better, or at least not interfere as much with the use as a dining room.

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, February 12, 2009 6:35 AM

 Maybe it will work this way http://andrews-trains.fotopic.net/p10095069.html

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 1,752 posts
Posted by Don Z on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:20 PM

Randy,

Your link doesn't work....

Don Z.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
What else is new - layout dilema (maybe)
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:07 PM

 Good thing I haven't actually built anything. But now that I have a couple of locos, a DCC system, and a stack of car kits to build, I'm getting anxious to have some sort of track to run things, at least a little bit.

 In perusing Andrew Martin's site full of small switching plans, I found a whole bunch that look like they'd be plenty interesting to switch on, and would fit on the total 2x8 benchwork I've built to date. Only thing about all of them though, I'd have to get going with the Fastracks turnouts, because they are all designed for small turnouts and unless they've fixed them, the Atlas #4 in Code 83 have the annoying waviness on the straight leg - not going to use those ever again.

 But then I found this one. http://images5.fotopic.net/?iid=ysydek&noresize=1&nostamp=1&quality=70

It's almost exactly the concept I was goign for anyway, similar to what Stein drew for me in oen of my previous threads. Only Andrew has a yard/A/D tracks where my cement plant would be and an industry where the yard would be - no biggie there. Thing is, this is actually SMALLER than my maximum space - I'd only have to build one more 2x4 module and the benchwork is done. I might also mirror image it since 4' from the wall won't interfere with walking through the room and it would keep from blocking 4' of the window. That would take away from it being even somewhat related to an actual Reading branch line, but I sort of gave up on the idea of reusing anythign I build as a 'for now' layout in any future one (other than saving the benchwork). My primary goal is to be able to run trains and do some operation.

 I didn;t post any of the 2x8 (or smaller) layouts, there's literally dozens of them and most look like they would be fun. Hmm, crazy idea - just put the foam on my benchwork and buy a bunch of Unitrack and build one layout, run it for a while, then change it to a different one... except this time I'd actually liek to try and get at least SOME scenery done on a layout and actually have a 'finished' one for the first time in nearly 30 years.

 No, I didn;t ask any specific questions, mainly just talking out loud - if you have any comments, I'd love to hear them.

                              --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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