So it has come to that time where we have to move again, and the old layout has already been taken down. As I get ready to move I am already planning my new layout. I am going to have about 16' x 16' space to build my next layout. I like to run long trains of auto racks, intermodel, and passenger so long main lines are helpful.
Type: I am either going to build an around the wall with a penisula or a walk-around. As with anything both types have give and takes; the around the wall would have more main line and possibly staging underneath the penisula while the walk around could allow for some great scenery and the ability to increase the effect of the trains "going somewhere".
Staging: My last layout had a "yard" off the main line that was supposed to be staging but it wasn't long enough and looked weird right next to the layout. So I need to plan some good staging. If I "double deck" my staging on the penisula, what is the minimum clearance for staging. The bottom would not have scenery, although at 4' to 5' foot wide I would have to be careful of reach distances on the penisula.
I know I am supposed to make a list of must haves and can live withouts... however I am focused on type and staging at this point. My main industries will by passenger and autos, and I would like to have a good size frieght yard too.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
NILE
Why should you mke a list of " must haves and can live withouts", you aleady know what you want in the raiload?
Roger Hensley= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html == Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =
John Armstrong called it a "Givens and Druthers" list and he was a professionaly layout designer.
As is usually the case, a picture is worth a thousand words. If you could provide a picture of the space, major dimensions and wall locations, those are a must for layout out where all the important design elements go like curves, yards and so on. My method of designing a layout is to start with a scale drawing of the available space (Walls, windows, doors stairs etc. all to scale) and then I can visualize using the scale grid, what can fit where. You have to rough in things like ilse ways, choke points, where turn-backs will fit using a minimum radius, maybe a helix (major space eater but allows a 2nd level), long runs for yard and staging yards etc.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
autoracks = large radii. Large radiii eat up 16' X 16' space quickly.
What minimum radius do you have in mind? 36"?
Steve
While the room is rectangular, my layout space is a 16' square. Other than that it is currently an open canvas, I've doodled a few ideas on paper but nothing that is really in the planning stage yet.
I would like to have 32" radius, as I think 36" would require to much space for the turns.
If you build benchwork that can support a long dogbone you can have staging tracks longer than the long side of your benchwork - but half the dogbone will be hidden track.
I get away with as little as car height + 1/4 inch clearance in some parts of my netherworld. Nothing is 'fiddled' (except waybills for closed cars) and careful tracklaying has resulted in zero derailments. There is emergency access - in one case it requires dropping the entire passenger staging yard to a lower level to clean up the results of an . Normally that yard occupies the space between the L girders under Tomikawa -19 feet (less end curves) across the garage door.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with more staging than visible track)