Hmmm....a detailed 3 dimensional GP30 carved into a headstone shaped like a RR crossing sign....
CTValley,
I took your advice, and bought a pack of each type of track and I'm going to trace each type out on card stock. I plan to cut them out and work on a layout that way. Thanks for the great advice.
Bob
colesdad The layout will actually be for me!!!
The layout will actually be for me!!!
See, you've just discovered the best use for children: an excuse to play with toys you've "outgrown". Of course, I won't outgrow model railroading until they put me 6' under.... and even then, I hear the layouts in Heaven are AMAZING.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
Thanks for the help. That will give me a place to start. I found a couple of track plans on the Kato website, that I could use.
Yes I have a son that is 5yrs old. He got a train set from his pop, but it only goes around in a circle, so he loses interest pretty quick. Trying to get him more interested, so that I can spend more time with him, and with the trains. It's either that or SPONGEBOB!
Thanks again.
As far as design software goes, you will find AnyRail about the easiest to use. It is a simple drag and drop program and has a complete inventory of all sectional track manufacturers including the Kato Unitrack you want to use. It has a free trial version for download off their website.
Have a look here: http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html
colesdad I'm not that computer savy. Does anyone have any other suggestions. If you find a track plan in MR can you e-mail them to ask for specifics like an inventory list of track components?
I'm not that computer savy. Does anyone have any other suggestions. If you find a track plan in MR can you e-mail them to ask for specifics like an inventory list of track components?
There are several good books of model RR plans out there, most of which have component lists with them. You might find some in a library, or Kalmbach Publishing or your LHS will have some for sale. For that matter, Walthers.com does too.
You can access MR's database of track plans on this website, assuming you subscribe to the magazine, but to my knowledge, you have to guess at the components you need (although this usually isn't too hard to figure out). Most of the time, these are diagrams of someone elses layout, and the editorial staff doesn't have access to the materials list.
My recommendation, though, since you're planning on using track with the roadbed attached, is to get a piece of graph paper, draw the outlines of your available space on it at a scale of 1" = 1' and photocopy it a few times (so you can sketch alternatives without redrawing the space). You already know what the available pieces are (or can find out easily enough), so you can draw them on your plan using a compass and a ruler. On a 1:12 scale, track width is only about 1/16", so it's not a huge factor. Alternatively, you can buy a template for about $15 (CTT Inc. makes good ones) and use that.
Another method that works is to buy one piece of each component you will need and trace it on to a peice of paper, then make copies of the full size pieces and do your own mock up.
I tried using a canned track plan for my first layout, and ended up modifying it so much that I really would have been better off just starting from scratch. It sounds like you already have a pretty good idea what you want, so if I were you, I'd just start playing until you get something you like.
Does the fact that your screen name includes the word "Dad" imply that you're trying to get something together quickly for your offspring?
Atlas has some free software that I found easy to use. If you pull an 18" radius you will need three feet on centers to turn around. The layout software will show you what you can fit just by playing around
I have figured out a spot for a layout, and the size I would like to make it. Now I just need a track plan. My space will allow for an L-shape type layput. Looking at the layout, the "short" side of the L would be on the right, with the "long" side dead in front of you.The short side would measure 2.5 x 3.5 ft. The long side would be 2ft wide x 6 ft long. I plan on using either blue or pink foam board,2inch thick. I would like to do a switching layout, with a small yard maybe on the short side of the L. I also thought about putting a loop at the short end also, but not sure if it will fit in 2.5 ft space? I would like to do maybe three small industries ie. scrap yard, transfer station, and a company that sells drainage pipes, culverts forms, fire hydrants, and rolled corrugated drainage pipe ( there is a place near where i live that has a large outdoor storage yard of these type construction materials).
I want to use HO, and some 4 axle Diesels (RS-2/3), and kato unitrack, or some type of track with the roadbed already attached. I would consider using sectional track, if it wasn't to difficult, which from reading on here isn't as long as you take your time, and are patient. Also I would use smaller gondolas, box cars, and flat bed cars for loads in and out.
Does anyone have any suggetions, or track plans to fit this space? I not sure I could make my own plan and pick the right turnouts, switches, etc. etc?
Thanks for any help.