I thought I replied but I guess it didnt go through. Thanks for the thoughts so far. This is what I have come up with so far, using the Atlas RR program.
Thanks for the responses so far. I did this from Atlas although I wish they had more track selections for some curved turnouts.
I was a semi-newbie just a couple of years ago. Your space should allow you to keep a 24" min radius as long as you don't get too fancy with the design. And if you don't need to make the layout movable then just plan in one or two access holes to solve the reach issue. If your trackwork is sound then you can always "plug" the holes with a liftout for occaisional maintenance.
If you are comfortable using computer software then I suggest downloading a layout design program. I use Xtrkcad which is totally free, very accurate and works well, but does have a bit of a learning curve. There are several others that are not free but may be easier to use.
Huntington Junction - Freelance based on the B&O and C&O in coal country before the merger... doing it my way. Now working on phase 3. - Walt
For photos and more: http://www.wkhobbies.com/model-railroad/
you have a great space to use. a nice folded dogbone with large curves will fit nicely. start to sketch up your main line on paper and post a picture of it then we can help guide you along nwith what will fit or not. I will try to post something later today from cad.
Steve
Hi Rob:
Welcome to the forums and back to model railroading!!
Five feet will allow for fairly broad curves if you go close to the edge on the loops, and you can put a lot of industry inside the loops. The only thing I would suggest for now is, like Brent said, think about how you are going to reach across five feet of table, first to build the layout, and then to retrieve derailed cars. Brent's idea of wheels is good. I would add that you might consider building the layout in sections that can be separated easily, like the modular guys do. Also, if you go with casters, take the time to make sure the floor is really smooth so the casters can roll easily.
Are you aware of the track plan data base available here? Scroll up to the top of the page and click on 'How To' in the black header line. You will see the data base in the titles. Tons of great ideas!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Texas Special wrote;
Hi, a semi newbie here.
I had trains when I was a kid, the old Tyco, and then my dad got my son and I when he was first born a Lionel O gauge. It was cool but it is just too big to keep me interested since I dont have a large spare room or a basement. (We dont have basements in Texas. LOL) So now I have decided to get back to HO scale and got the Zephyer DCC and some Locos and some Atlas 83.
I am making room in my garage in a corner since I cant fit my truck in it. So the area will be approx 10x10. But I am thinking of an "L" shape design with each side of the "L" sticking out 5 feet from the wall. So a 5x10 by 5x10. I would like to try and have a 24" radius mainline which would allow some passenger cars, and it be a continuous run. If possible have a second mainline as well, but that may be pushing it. And then of course have some industry to send some freight to.
As far as what I want to model, I am not sure. I just want to stay with Texas Trains so: MKT, Texas & Pacific, and UP, being I see those going through Austin.
I do plan on joining the CentraMod HO group which is about 45 minutes from me, and they have a great club layout, so I know I can get my fill on some long trains as I get them.
So if the 24" radius is not doable and just 22" then I am cool with that. Anyway if there are some suggestions I would appreciate it. Most of the layouts I have found are either too big or too small or are more of a "U" shape and not a "L" shape.
Thanks.
Rob
You have come to the right spot for help. If your lucky some of the experts might be able to whip up a track plan or two for you.
I'll start with suggesting, that if your tables are to be 5' x 10', you have the layout on wheels, this way the rear of the layout will be accessible if it is to be against the wall. Thirty inches can even be a challenge to reach when working on the layout.
With a 5' wide bench, you should be able to get 28" curves at the end, and by getting creative where the bench turns, maybe even larger ones. Also you may be able to add on a little bit of 1" x 4" or 1" x 2" along the edge in spots just to give you that teeny tiny bit of extra width.
Don't just think square or rectancle when it comes to benchwork. There are ways you can sqeeze out a little more realestate.
Here the bench on the right has a cutout to accomodate the door and angle's in to leave an unobstructed view of the fireplace. It also has an access hole in the middle as that was the only way to reach the rear of the 6' wide bench.
People on here have shown their creativity with layouts that lower from the ceiling with a pully system or others that flip up on end when not in use. I know one guy that built modules and stores them on a rack on the wall of his garage, much like the glass shop stores windshields for cars. He can then take one module in the house and work on it in front of the TV when the garage is to cold, or in your case too hot to work in. When the wife goes away for a few days, the whole layout gets set up in the house. In the summer when a long stretch good weather is predicted it goes up on the patio out back. It fills the garage in summer and comes down in winter as he hates cleaning the snow off if he parks the car outside.
Good luck and don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Hi, a semi newbie here. I had trains when I was a kid, the old Tyco, and then my dad got my son and I when he was first born a Lionel O gauge. It was cool but it is just too big to keep me interested since I dont have a large spare room or a basement. (We dont have basements in Texas. LOL) So now I have decided to get back to HO scale and got the Zephyer DCC and some Locos and some Atlas 83. I am making room in my garage in a corner since I cant fit my truck in it. So the area will be approx 10x10. But I am thinking of an "L" shape design with each side of the "L" sticking out 5 feet from the wall. So a 5x10 by 5x10. I would like to try and have a 24" radius mainline which would allow some passenger cars, and it be a continuous run. If possible have a second mainline as well, but that may be pushing it. And then of course have some industry to send some freight to. As far as what I want to model, I am not sure. I just want to stay with Texas Trains so: MKT, Texas & Pacific, and UP, being I see those going through Austin. I do plan on joining the CentraMod HO group which is about 45 minutes from me, and they have a great club layout, so I know I can get my fill on some long trains as I get them. So if the 24" radius is not doable and just 22" then I am cool with that. Anyway if there are some suggestions I would appreciate it. Most of the layouts I have found are either too big or too small or are more of a "U" shape and not a "L" shape.