jkinoshHas anyone ever ordered from Standard hobby?
Also what ground throws would I need to use with these? ... the Caboose Industries 218S
Very nice track plan with a lot of options available to you.
Not sure what you plan to model, but if city/industrial I see a lot of potential for this plan.
I made a sketch of something I would change on the track plan, though. If you want to run a road through the long center of the layout, with buildings on either side, that would help break up the views so that you see half the layout at a time. To do this, you just bend the small yard down a bit by switching from a left to right hand turnout at the beginning of the yard track. You also swap out a right for a left, so the lower two tracks fit insode the main still. I would also move the inner loop on the right, outward, so that it is closer to the outer loop.
I drew in some roads, to show why I would make the change, and how it would give a nice traffic pattern, and more space for square buildings rather than triangle shaped structures. The rectangles are just to show how the buildings would fit once the track was adjusted a little.
Changed my mind on the trackplan as this one seems to fit my space better, and fill quite a bit of it. Looks like I can also build it in 3 stages to be able to get up and running sooner. Going to build the outer Loop with the 4 turnouts, then move onto the inner loop and finally the inner spur tracks.
I have started checking some of the local hobby shops, but I can order direct from Atlas for what the shops are charging.
Has anyone ever ordered from Standard hobby? They have the 2750 / 2751 for 7.89 each, which seems to be pretty reasonable.
Also what ground throws would I need to use with these? Standard has the Caboose Industries 218S in a 5 pack for 13.39.
Going to try to get my son involved as much as possible, but we'll see, as he is only 2 1/2. He just loves to watch the trains go around. Really like his Geotrax though.
Sorry for all the questions, but your help is appreciated.
Jacob
A good choice, Jacob! You will have a lot of fun building and operating this layout together with your son. Do get him involved as much as possible. Unfortunately I was not able to get my son into this hobby - he was more into computers and started on some sort of modeling only after he has left home.
As for the selection of turnouts, Atals offers a free trackplanner, so you can test, whether your choice fits into the plan.
I do not have a cheap source for track and equipment. I do a lot of ordering through the internet, as most hobby shops in Germany do not stock US prototype equipment.
jkinoshHave decided to use the Havaphew Central Trackplan,
The trackplan calls for Atlas #2750 & 2751 Standard Custom Switchs, could Atlas #2702 & 2703 Standard Manual Switches be used instead? or are they a different angle, and would I have enough room for them?
Have decided to use the Havaphew Central Trackplan, and have started doing some of my layout work.
Now a question about the switched that are needed. The trackplan calls for Atlas #2750 & 2751 Standard Custom Switchs, could Atlas #2702 & 2703 Standard Manual Switches be used instead? or are they a different angle, and would I have enough room for them?
Any suggestions of a good source would also be appreciated.
dantejkinoshAt this time, I would like to stick with something a little smaller than a hollow core door. Need to be able to move it easily around the basement, and there really isn't much room for storage. Thinking of sispending it from the floor joists when not in use. Jacob You can get narrow door blanks, even only 1' wide (for bifold doors). Dante
jkinoshAt this time, I would like to stick with something a little smaller than a hollow core door. Need to be able to move it easily around the basement, and there really isn't much room for storage. Thinking of sispending it from the floor joists when not in use. Jacob
At this time, I would like to stick with something a little smaller than a hollow core door. Need to be able to move it easily around the basement, and there really isn't much room for storage. Thinking of sispending it from the floor joists when not in use.
You can get narrow door blanks, even only 1' wide (for bifold doors).
Dante
jkinoshPlanning a small layout for myself and my son to work on and enjoy together. We both prefer the rail fan approach to switching operation. Will probably run a mix of steam and Diesel.
I see two places where there are two curves in the opposite direction attached back to back. This is what we call an s-curve. Probably not a huge issue with N-scale since the hooks are truck mounted but it would probably look better to put at least a short straight between them. The one place under(over?) the bridge could be fixed by replacing the two curves with straight and then remove sufficient straight from the right front and/or left rear straights to make them line up.
The biggest change I would make in the track plan would be to somehow make the loop connect back on itself so that a train leaving the yard could loop as many times as desired and then go through this missing piece of track and be headed the opposite direction. It could then go forward into the yard instead of having to back in.
Personally I would add another industrial track or two and a run-around (double ended siding track) somewhere. That way trains from the yard would have more than one place to take the cars too.
OK, I see a single track main line, a couple of spurs, a yard and an engine terminal, with the yard and terminal for future expansion. Plus a crossover. First you want to check your grades going to/from the crossover. You will regret grades over 2%, the trains will just struggle to get over the main line. Next, consider adding passing sidings on your main line. That permits you to have two trains on the layout, one running on the main line and one waiting on a siding. You will find that rolling stock accumulates, and this lets you put it on the layout and run it. Have you considered going to a double track mainline? This lets you run two trains at the same time, one in each direction. Children love this.
Can you fit in more spur tracks? Each spur can serve one or more industries, offer a place to stash yet more rolling stock, and let you operate a peddler freight that trundles around the layout picking up and dropping off cars.
You should check the spacing of the yard tracks. You want them spaced wide enough apart to allow fingers to reach in a rerail cars, without knocking more cars off the track.
You ought to read "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" by John Armstrong. It's full of ideas, track plans, photos, tables and charts, invaluable book.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Is a Hollow core door an option for you, or is that too big?
You mentioned easy to move, and doors are extremely sturdy, don't warp, and light.
They are inexpensive and convenient.
I looked at the Havaphew Central earlier today, and think that may be the way to go. I already have it redrawn in Right Track, so I could print it fullsize and do some basic mockup to see how it will fit into my space. My main concern is that I need to be able to move it easily when not in use.
Jacob,
why don´t you check MR´s track plan database? There are many excellent layout ideas in there that you can easily adapt - for instance, the Havaphew Central is sized 2´6" by 5´, uses set track and seems to be an ideal beginner´s layout.
Forgot to mention, Yes, it will be N-scale
Hi, Jacob
What scale will you be modelling in? Looks like N scale to me...
For the space this layout will occupy, it offers very little operation possibilities - mor or less just 1 train circulating the track. Why don´t you just get one of the introductory books to layout planning - that will help you to develop your dream layout1
I would like the expert opinion of everyone.
Planning a small layout for myself and my son to work on and enjoy together. We both prefer the rail fan approach to switching operation. Will probably run a mix of steam and Diesel.
N scale
The Yard and Turntable would be added at a later date.
Please see attached track plan for the currently unnamed railroad.