Since you're already considering a logging railroad, take a look at the Oakhurst RR in the July 2016 issue of Model Railroader. This is a fairly compact HO scale layout that is very entertaining to operate (I am privileged to regularly attend operating sessions on this layout). Examination of the Oakhurst track plan shows that the lower level contains a saw mill as well as the town of Oakhurst with a small stub yard. A helix is used to travel up and down the mountain with the logging camps on the upper level. The best thing about this layout is that the railroad has a readily understandable purpose for being, mainly the transport of logs to the saw mill. Although the Oakhurst RR layout does include a couple of mills, mines, and even a hotel for tourists to add operating interest, there really isn't a need to invent additional industries.
Your layout could also include a saw mill and town on the lower level with logging camps on the upper level. Trains would haul empty log cars and other supplies up the mountain and loaded log cars down the mountain to the saw mill.
Hornblower
The distance between levels dose not scale down much at all. Do you have any starage area available under the layout, then you might be able to build a helix that attaches to an end and you could then run both lower and upper as separate layouts or hook up the removable helix and operated as a whole layout. Also you could avoid the bite off more than you can chew that a two level can bring (with little experiance).
Hi All,
Finally getting serious about building a layout after years (decades) of false starts. I have been able to secure an area 4'-6" W x 2'-6" D.
After poring over all of my layout books and searching online, I have decided to take the GG&N from my very first book "Six HO Railroads You Can Build" and adapt it to N scale. I bought this book for $2 in 1975 and fell in love with this plan as a kid. However, it seems to give me what I want now - the ability to run multiple trains thru rugged senery & if I do is right I will even be able to build in a trestle somewhere (probably along one outside corner.)
Of course, one of the big problems with the GG&N is lack of industry/yard. I was thinking about building a single track helix to an upper level, hidden in the mountains that already exist in one corner of the plan. On the upper level I would be able to model industries that would then run on the lower level. Essentially a point to loop set-up.
Given that I'm in the NW USA, a small logging operation would certainly be in order, perhaps feeding to a small sawmill on the lower level. Also maybe a coal mine serving to a coal fired generating plant. (I actually worked in one for a month when I was 19! Yuck.)
I know that it will be tricky but I think doable. I will have 9 3/4" max radius & will be using Atlas Code 55, #55 turnouts leftover from previous attempts along with Atlas Code 55 flex track.
Thoughts? Advice? Thx, BH