Very nice layout! I can't imagine the hours of work building this. Congratulations.
Don't wait another ten years to update us again. Speaking for myself, I'd love to see more pictures.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
Thanks, glad somebody enjoyed them.
Randy
Great looking layout. Thanks for sharing those photos.
Rich
Alton Junction
The next aisle over.
Untitled by RSeiler308, on Flickr
Kinda looking back toward the entry and where you were standing in that last pic.
Ha, thanks. Here's a view down the first aisle near the entry.
C&OCheviot A view of part of what it looks like now: Untitled by RSeiler308, on Flickr
A view of part of what it looks like now:
Doggone it, that is simply spectacular. I need to spend some time looking at the whole layout. Can you provide us with some more photos at different angles and locales? And, don't wait 10 years to reply.
Very impressive. Quite a change from your orignal plan! Looks like you have a 32" or 36" minimum radius now.
Ray
Thought maybe an update was due. It's only been ten years, lol.
Here is the lower deck of what I wound up building:
Track Plan - Lower Level1024_1 by RSeiler308, on Flickr
This is the upper deck:
Track Plan - Upper Level1024_1 by RSeiler308, on Flickr
Kinda boring, but this is the staging deck:
Track Plan - Staging1024_1 by RSeiler308, on Flickr
This is the current track plan.
This is a rough sketch, sorry, of what I'd like to do, adding a section 2'x8' with a 4'x4' square for a reversing loop, and a section in the bottom right about 2'x6'. Here the reversing loop goes under the 2'x8' section which would be industrial/yard trackage of yet to be determined configuration:
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/
C&OCheviot I hear what you're saying, but I currently have all the track down, wired, and working. I can run trains over the entire layout, which has taken me some time to get to this point. I also have about half the track balasted, and some scenery completed. If I start all over, I know that it will likely be years before I get the new layout to this point. My original thought of adding extensions on each end without doing too much destruction is something that I can see getting done in a reasonable time, especially since the extensions are basically flat yards. I like being able to run trains, work on scenery, add rolling stock, and do whatever seems fun at the time. If I start all over I won't be running trains for years. I have very little free time. In five years, my kids will all be out of the house, and maybe I will start on the dream layout then.
I hear what you're saying, but I currently have all the track down, wired, and working. I can run trains over the entire layout, which has taken me some time to get to this point. I also have about half the track balasted, and some scenery completed. If I start all over, I know that it will likely be years before I get the new layout to this point. My original thought of adding extensions on each end without doing too much destruction is something that I can see getting done in a reasonable time, especially since the extensions are basically flat yards. I like being able to run trains, work on scenery, add rolling stock, and do whatever seems fun at the time. If I start all over I won't be running trains for years. I have very little free time. In five years, my kids will all be out of the house, and maybe I will start on the dream layout then.
Instead of messing with the layout that is running can you move the layout? I am just thinking moving it a few feet to free up the space you want to use for the new layout. This way while you build the new layout using the bigger space. Then the current layout is still there and working for times you want to see trains run. Then you can focus your construction efforts on the bigger layout. Once the new layout is up and running you can dismantlement the old layout.
For the new layout I would recommend going to a bigger min radius (like30"), this way if your tastes change and you want big passenger trains or big steam you are not rebuilding the layout to fit your new passion.
Chris
Check out my railroad at: Buffalo and Southwestern
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Ok, let's try this version:
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0]
C&OCheviot I did a simple sketch of the room in AutoCAD, copied it to MS Word, but for the life of me I can't get it to post here for some reason.
I did a simple sketch of the room in AutoCAD, copied it to MS Word, but for the life of me I can't get it to post here for some reason.
Place it in photobucket as you did the image in your first post (you'll need a different format than MS word, probably).
Then reply to the thread and click the icon that looks like a piece of film. Paste in the URL and your photo should appear.
Some browsers may have problems with this, but most seem to work. Good luck.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
If every piece of equipment that you have now or expect to buy runs satisfactorily on the 18" radius curves, then you don't need to worry about it. You are fortunate, because I've seen folks have trouble with some typical 1970s-era equipment like trailer-on-flatcar and auto carriers with 18" curves. Not to mention passenger cars, which may not be of interest for you anyway.
As Paul mentioned, a view of the full space, with entrance(s) and obstructions, might help others help you by suggesting interesting alternative approaches.
C&OCheviotI know they aren't the most prototypical, but if you travel through Cincinnati there are some sharp turns in the tracks after they cross the river and make their way toward Queensgate.
I actually have done a bit of railfanning in the area when I was in town for the NMRA convention some years back. Even those sharp prototype curves are much broader than 18" radius, as you know. But there are always trade-offs in layout design and (especially) in layout building..
Best of luck with your layout.
hi Byron,
sometimes you are not reading the whole thread, already adding a 12 x 4 addition to the left was beyond his possibilities.
I agree, when he could use the whole 21 x 13 area a real great model railroad is possible, with bigger radii and easier turnouts. Even without reach in issues.
Anyway, the better way to go is starting with a drawing of his room, and more clearly descriptions of his railroad wishes. Of course limitations like doors and negotiated bounderies should be included.
Paul
cuyama C&OCheviot: The area that I can use is about 21'x13'. It seems a shame to me to have that much space and be forever limited on your mainline to a minimal 18" radius from keeping the trackwork from the existing layout as the mainline. Up to you, of course, but it seems to me that incorporating the existing layout as the mainline in the new space could be a false economy. Byron
C&OCheviot: The area that I can use is about 21'x13'.
It seems a shame to me to have that much space and be forever limited on your mainline to a minimal 18" radius from keeping the trackwork from the existing layout as the mainline.
Up to you, of course, but it seems to me that incorporating the existing layout as the mainline in the new space could be a false economy.
Byron
I model the 70s and haven't had any trouble with my current rolling stock on the 18" curves. I know they aren't the most prototypical, but if you travel through Cincinnati there are some sharp turns in the tracks after they cross the river and make their way toward Queensgate. Are there issues with the 18" curves that I am missing?
C&OCheviotThe area that I can use is about 21'x13'.
Paul,
Wow! That is awesome, thanks for all your work. Yes, you have my dimensions exactly correct.
I really like the way you have to make a couple of loops to get from one point to the other, and that it isn't just a simple loop. I also like that the train comes back into the lower yard in the opposite direction from what it left.
My only problem may be with the larger upper extension being as wide as the original. I was planning on only coming away from the wall about 24" or so with that extension rather than the full 48" which is also currently sitting 18" off the wall itself to allow access. This plan would take up most of the rest of the area, which is possible, but maybe not so popular with the rest of the family.
I'm at work right now, so I can't really think about it a lot, but I am really impressed with the track plan and really appreciate your input. I will look at it more tonight and look at the room itself some more.
Thanks!
hi,
yes it is, though when the connection is made a foot earlier the system becomes an out-and-back with a lap connection. I would probably choose this option.
In order to return to the P2P terminal (lower right) a consist will have to make at least two full "laps" around the layout to return??
Alan
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
a drawing of your space would have beeen a better starting point. Hopefully i did understood th dimensions well.
Some ideas, a saw and some cutting is needed. Not drawn to scale with 24"squares
I can put a turnout in the bottom right-hand corner of the above photo to get to a 2x8 extension, but then trains might not be running in the best direction for the other extension. I could place another turnout on that same end coming off the curve or maybe just before the curve on the inside of the L, so that trains could enter/exit in the opposite direction. I wish I could draw this out.
My other question is for the other extension on the other end of the L. I had originally thought of adding a turnout in the upper left corner, but could instead extend the spur in that direction over the tracks in that corner to an extension that would be about 2'x12'. Are there any thoughts on one of these being better? The extension off the spur would make the trip from one yard area to the other seem longer.
Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
The area that I can use is about 21'x13'. The layout is currently in one corner, 18" off both walls. I could go another 12' off the upper leg in the photo above, and about 5' off the lower leg of the L. I would prefer to keep a sort of L shape or at least keep most of it on those two outer walls of the room. Access to the area is on the 21' side opposite the corner of my current L.
One of my ideas was to make a narrow extension on one leg with background buildings as industries. The current layout has a harbor in the middle, which I thought could be a tributary or small area off the Ohio River. I didn't plan to model much more of the river, thinking that the river could be the area off the layout where you are standing while operating. Maybe just enough for a couple of barges to load coal.
You have major challenges since you are trying to get the feel of a linear, water level prototype on a layout that is all curves will multiple overs and unders. If you try to insert a river in there, the railroad won't run along side the river it will be mostly running over the top of it, crossing the river on multiple bridges on multiple levels, most of which will not be high enough to let a barge under the bridges. Its kinda an unfortunate choice of trackplan for the prototype you favor.
I would make extension A a switching/classification/staging yard and extension B a barge terminal with a two or three track yard and several barge docks. I might even make A purely staging and not worry so much about switching there. Operation would be running trains from staging to the barge terminal and back, either delivering cars to the barge terminal or switching the existing industries along the way.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
You don't say how large an area you have to expand to. I currently have a 5 x 8' layout I am expanding off of the short end with shelves to go around a 14 X 14' room.
Thanks! I feel like I've been here forever because I read the posts frequently, but I've never posted.
C&OCheviot - Welcome to trains.com!
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
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