Suggestions and good practices for width of layouts needed!!

[grayfox1119]

I am getting ready to build my 1st layout. The room will be 11.5' by 26.5' finished walls. My first thoughts are to place the tables against the outer walls, but I am concerned about the "reach-in" width for repairs, derailments, etc. If I go to the walls, then I can have a nice backdrop, but if I move away from the walls by 3' for walk around the outer edge, then the backdrop loses some effect I feel. And, what about min radius for curves? I have some larger engines like 2-6-6-2's. I believe these can only operate on 22" min. radius curves, so obviously the width of the tables is a major consideration.
I really would like some opinions from those who have done this before through the school of hard knocks and have the experience.

Thank you in advance,

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[rvanparys]

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I suggest that you get ahold of one of John Armstrongs books. I am also building a new layout and John's suggestions are always in style. His book "Track Planning for Realistic Operations" is especially good as it allows one to adapt real world railroading to modeling.

For my part, I am trying not to exceed 30" at a heigth of 42" for the first level and 12" for the second level at 60".

I hope this helps and good luck!

One of the things that pops up all the time is leave sufficient room for walkways. I am trying to stay at a minimum of 30".

[mike33469]

My around the room layout is 54" tall and 24" wide all the way around.

[CBQ_Guy]

You can generally make the depth of the layout up to a maximum of 30", which is what an adult can reach comfortable. Keep in mind this reach distance gets shortened the higher the layout is.

Personally, I add a fudge factor of 6 inches to bring the total depth to 36", if I need to. My thinking is that that extra half a foot would be used by buildings or scenery anyway, so I wouldn't actually need to reach back there for ops on a regular basis.

Hope this helps . . .

[Jetrock]

30" seems like it includes the "fudge factor"--24" is generally more practical for a shelf layout. 30" is not a long reach, IF there isn't a cluster of buildings, trees, plaster scenery and other delicate things in between you and the thing you want to reach 30" away.

A benefit of a shelf layout is that you can have broader curves than an "island" layout of similar footprint, and you get to see the trains from the inside of the curve (where they look best.)

If you are running articulateds, try for a 36" mainline minimum radius. This would make your corners somewhat broad, but you could either provide nice rounded corners on your backdrop, or provide a small "cut-out" in the corner for rear access. Your corner "modules" would be roughly L-shaped and 4'x4', assuming the mainline would run at about 12" from the wall--with proper shaping of the module, all track could be within reach, and you'd still have 5.5' straight running in between those curves--plus you could add industrial spurs or other operational features in the corners if you wanted more than just the mainline curve.

[grayfox1119]

Thanks guys, this is real helpful, and hopefully I can avoid some time consuming aggravating mistakes.

Have a great evening!!!!

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[rrinker]

A good idea - take some cardboard boxes and tape, and mock up what you want to do, and see what works for you and the people who will be working and operating on your layout. That way you know before you commit anything to wood.

--Randy

[grayfox1119]

Thanks Randy, another real good idea. That can really save time too. Easier to change cardboard layout for sure.

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[Anonymous]

My new layout has a maximum width of 30" except in the corners where I keep the width to 24" because of the longer reach. Height is 48" to 52" with most track within 24" of edges. Aisle width is 36" except at a couple of pinch points where it drops to 30". My room is slightly larger than yours so I have staging tracks on either side of the door which lead to two penninsulas, one on the east wall and one on the west wall. A hidden return loop under the east wall penninsula allows continuous running.