Over the past few weeks I have been tossing around ideas for my layout. In this time I have acquired a fair amount of material, and the design keeps changing. I have an 11' x 11' room available for this project. Initially I was thinking that a free standing island would be the way to go, but I have since been exploring both U-shelf and Donut with duckunder designs. I am currently sold on the Donut with duckunder. I am aware of the hassle of having to duck under to access the back, but I am willing to live with this in light of the extra potential the donut gives me for design. Above you can see a basic donut design I came up with a couple weeks ago, along with a U-shelf as well. I have heard a lot of different thoughts on my design here and on other forums, and I would like to see some actual plans as to what others would do with the space and budget that I have.
Here is the basic design criteria :
11' x 11' room with entry in lower right, closet to the left of this door.
Location is coastal Mexico, circa 1880's. S scale using 16.5 mm HO track, that is Sn42 or Sn3.5
Industries to perhaps include but not necessarily limited to:
Gold / Copper Mine
Building stone quarry
Harbor with ore loading , log loading, and fishing wharves
Cannery (Tuna and/or Sardines)
Sawmill provided with logs floated in rafts from California
~$500 total budget, about $200 of which is already spent. This does not include the base cabinets that will form the structure of the layout, they were part of the "Hobby Room" of our remodel anyways.
Here is a list of the track I currently have:
Nickel Silver:
3 #6 Left Atlas Turnouts
3 #6 Right Atlas Turnouts
1 #4 Right Atlas Turnout
1 Wye Atlas Turnout
2 - 30 degree crossovers
~20 Atlas Flex pieces (4 currently on hand)
Brass:
3 #4 Right Turnouts
3 #4 Left Turnouts
1 #6 Right Turnout
The challenge is this:
Using all or as much of what I have listed as you think is necessary, create a layout in the space that I have that includes as much of the industry as you think is necessary. This is obviously very loosely prototypical, I am not however aiming for a whimsical type of layout. I intend to use all of the NS turnouts, and may or may not use the brass as well. This is a photoshopped Anyrail plan showing the basic layout of the room with the donut I think works best.
If you think a shelf layout would be better, then by all means show me that. Here is the Anyrail Cabeza Dura Challenge plan on my skydrive . The free 50 piece limited version of Anyrail is available here if you would like to use it, or I also have XtrkCAD and SCARM if you would like to draw using either of those. Also, if you want to just sketch something on a piece of paper and take a pic of it, that would work as well. I have heard many suggestions as to what I should do, so now is your chance to show me what you would actually do with what I have to work with. Thank all of you that decide to help my design process and have fun!
James Stoker
Each of us has a particular preference of what he/she wants to do with the layout. For some, it's operations, while others prefer just railfanning. Personally, I'm a "Builder," and I get most of the fun creating scenery. Your layout should reflect the sort of thing you want to do.
The layout you've sketched has minimal operating potential. Even if you're just going to let trains run round and round, you should consider some sort of yard, and a few sidings for those industries you've described. Plan for these things from the start, because it may be too late to add them later.
I started with a free-standing (free-rolling, actually, since I put casters on the legs) 5x12 foot layout in HO. When I got access to more space, I rolled that section over close to one wall, and built a shelf layout to attach it to in an offset-T configuration. It's still a roundy-round loop, really, but it's longer and there's more space for industries. As retirement approaches and out time in this house likely grows shorter, I think more about shelf and less about island all the time.
I'll leave you with a final suggestion. Consider a lift-off bridge, a hinged drop-down or a swinging gate to cross that doorway. Building your layout will take years. If you have a liftoff, for example, you'll spend days or weeks where you never put it in place to run trains over it, but if you have a duckunder you will seldom walk in the room without silently cursing it. And, your curses will become quite audible every time you bump your head on it or rip the wiring out from beneath it.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I am not concerned about the duckunder, and you can rest assured that building my layout will not take years. I have single handedly built entire 1:1 scale houses in a year. This has already been hashed out in my previous posts both here and elsewhere. This layout will exist for a couple of years maximum, I am not trying to make the ultimate or most detailed one ever, just having some fun. I understand the desire to make "prototypical" switching layouts with no option for turning around, and I can tell you for certain I am NOT doing that . Watching a train go back and forth over the same 8 ft of rails has about as much attraction as watching ice melt to me. I have already heard all of these blanket negativity comments and they are as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Thanks for your input such as it is Mr B. , but I am asking for some actual useful suggestions in this thread.
If you could utilize more space, eliminate the closet, move the workbench and change the door to outswing, an around the wall layout will work much better within the space. Normally, most are concerned w/ tearing up and relocating walls, etc, but this should be a simple task as a builder. BTW, what's up w/ the in-swinging 36" door to such a small space? If the entry door is placed in an alcove can it be moved to the "closet back wall" also? All these mods can be returned to existing if nec.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
Stoker I have already heard all of these blanket negativity comments and they are as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Thanks for your input such as it is Mr B. , but I am asking for some actual useful suggestions in this thread.
I have already heard all of these blanket negativity comments and they are as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Thanks for your input such as it is Mr B. , but I am asking for some actual useful suggestions in this thread.
That's the problem with guys like Mister Beasley who tends to offer polite, courteous and helpful advice. Better to cut it off early rather than implement any useful suggestions that could get in the way of your planning.
Rich
Alton Junction
Take a look at Scott Perry's HOG plan:
It gives you a know plan, just change the scenery and industry list. Here is the parts list other trackplan images can also be on the yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOGRR/
It can be portable if you bolt the sections together, with the narrow benchwork you should be able to get the scenery done fast.
Chris
Check out my railroad at: Buffalo and Southwestern
Photos at:Flicker account
YouTube:StellarMRR YouTube account
richhotrain Stoker I have already heard all of these blanket negativity comments and they are as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Thanks for your input such as it is Mr B. , but I am asking for some actual useful suggestions in this thread. That's the problem with guys like Mister Beasley who tends to offer polite, courteous and helpful advice. Better to cut it off early rather than implement any useful suggestions that could get in the way of your planning. Rich
Doesn't this remind you of another recently departed poster?
Joe
My suggestion, which I would like to consider useful, is to go to an around-the-room with a removable bridge (rather than a duckunder) that will allow free access to the closet/workbench area when not operating, combined with a swing-down curve on the back of the entrance door. The, "Other end of the bridge," curve, if built at a normal around-the-room height, should allow plenty of clearance above the workbench. Suggested bridge structure? A 96-inch steel stud, installed open side up like a rain gutter.
Beyond that, my choice of prototype, scale and operational, "Givens and druthers," wouldn't be of much use to you, and I'd rather suggest a potential career path than try to design a layout for a stranger based solely on the available space and available pre-manufactured track components.
And, believe it or not, there is a use for a screen door aboard a submarine. I leave revealing what it is as an exercise for the dolphin-wearers among us.
Chuck (Ex-USMMA Cadet-Midshipman, Retired USAF MSgt modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
JoeinPA richhotrain Stoker I have already heard all of these blanket negativity comments and they are as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Thanks for your input such as it is Mr B. , but I am asking for some actual useful suggestions in this thread. That's the problem with guys like Mister Beasley who tends to offer polite, courteous and helpful advice. Better to cut it off early rather than implement any useful suggestions that could get in the way of your planning. Rich Doesn't this remind you of another recently departed poster? Joe
Well, it was getting kind of boring around here
Jim
Stoker,
Do yourself a big favor and design your own layout. You have everything set out to work with, and the only plan out there that will work is the one you create to your own satisfaction. No one else can do that.
One suggestion I have........... design your layout without considering what turnouts or whatever else you have. A layout (usually) is a long term thing, and having to go buy a couple more new turnouts should not be a deciding factor.
Remember, those leftover turnouts often can be used for sidings and such.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
IMHO, you are asking for a little bit too much. Designing a layout of the size you are asking for is not done within a few minutes - it´ll take hours if not days to do it. You won´t find many people in here who are willing to dedicate that much of their precious spare time for just a "How nice, but ..."
If you are not sure how to design a layout, get one of the excellent Kalmbach books on how to design a layout, make your first draft and post it here. There will be a lot of folks helping you to work with you - on the basis you have provided.
Sir Madog IMHO, you are asking for a little bit too much. Designing a layout of the size you are asking for is not done within a few minutes - it´ll take hours if not days to do it. You won´t find many people in here who are willing to dedicate that much of their precious spare time for just a "How nice, but ..."
Ulrich, are you saying that you are not going to accept the challenge and show him what you would actually do with what he has to work with? LOL
Apparently Stoker has posted his "challenge" on another board and castigated us for being us.
Oh well, after "slamming"someone as decent as MrBeasley I gave up on any working w/ this guy. Happy Trails
Always a good strategy to make friends: Come in and make nasty comments to well liked forum members who offer up help
Like Joe said, he has his "challenge" posted on just about every forum available. I wonder what the winner gets?
Before this thread gets locked, may I add..........
I've been playing with trains & building layouts for almost 60 years. The design, benchwork, track laying, wiring, etc., etc., are as much of the hobby to me as running trains on a finished layout. I just don't fathom why folks would want others to design/build a layout for them. That learning process, and skill development is all part of the hobby experience.
Of course we can help our fellow MR, and trade skills or advise or critique. And, I understand that there are some folks that literally can't do certain things due to handicaps or "whatever", and of course they need and should get help. But I don't think this thread relates to that situation............
Let it go.
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
CTValleyRR I guess because we are a bunch of idiots over here, and we get a little annoyed with rank newbies who slam folks who are trying to be helpful.
I guess because we are a bunch of idiots over here, and we get a little annoyed with rank newbies who slam folks who are trying to be helpful.
And therein lies the problem.
Folks who know me also know, that I like to design layouts, if I can be of help. I have done that a number of times - for good friends in here and other forums. Quite a few of those designs were (or are being) built, which I deem as an honor.
There are others in here - Paul, Byron, the late Stein, just to name a few, who have spend hours of their time to help forum members to come up with a layout design (more than just a track plan) which will give their builders hours of joy and entertainment.
But simply stating "this is the room I have, this is the track I have - now do the work I should do, or ..." is not really inviting the help and support the OP may be looking for.
Good luck to the OP in his endeavor to find someone foolish enough to hitch a ride on his train.
tomikawaTTGurgle And, believe it or not, there is a use for a screen door aboard a submarine. I leave revealing what it is as an exercise for the dolphin-wearers among us.
AH-OOO-ga AH-OOO-ga
"Take 'er down! Dive! Dive! Dive!"
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle, ....
"That's a wrap, folks. Roll the closing credits..."
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - half a kilometer above sea level)
You want me to design that ??????????????
I could design a layout for the available space, but the $500 budget is a layout-killer (sorry.) The buildings and scenery on the layout will come close to $300, and the track will be another $100, even using all the track you have. Roadbed will be about $100, depending on how much track there is and what material is used. Benchwork and plywood subroadbed will be another $100, Next you have electronics and train control. A DCC system will cost about $150-200, plus $20 per locomotive for motor-only decoders. $100 per locomotive for sound decoders. A DC block system would be time-consuming and difficult to wire, and the price of the power packs, rheostats/cabs, and all the block control switches would easily be $150. Plus wire. Plus figures. Plus details. Plus rock molds. Plus more plaster when you run out in the middle of a hill. Plus trees when you realize that the "forests" are too open. Plus........
The good news is that this price will be spread out over 2-5 years depending on how much time you spend working on the layout. I would plan to spend $300-500 per year on the layout and have it done in 2 years. Rolling stock and DCC system sold separately.
S&S
Modeling the Pennsy and loving it!
OK, since everyone is up for a challenge, in two weeks my better half will be away for about 5 days. My challenge to you is to come down to Hooterville, build some of my scenery, paint some of my undecorated rolling stock, and then clean up the layout room before she returns.......while I drink beer, watch the Stanley Cup playoffs, and offer constructive criticism from time to time.
No doubt, I'll have to come up with some system to deal with the onrush of takers to that challenge.
On the bright side, there is a TV in the layout room.
- Mark
Mark, if I accept the challenge, would you be willing to share your beer? Can you make sure that you have plenty of Fritos on hand? And, if the Blackhawks are still in the playoffs, can i watch TV instead of working?
Hey, the wife is going to be gone. This work project could take a lot of different directions! The only limitation is the TV downstairs won't get the game unless it is on NBC. For their various subsidiaries we have to sit in the family room, in front of the flat screen, and think through how we are going to attack the projects (aka planning).
Oh, and the flat screen is visible from the deck and grill.
Hooterville, eh?
Don't know why people were quick to poke fun of Hooterville. Compared to most places, its percentage of "talent" was always very high.
- Douglas
No kidding! I always wanted to have a big drink from that water tank :-)
Bryan B.