Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

layout design decisions. more in fo added

6547 views
100 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Monday, September 26, 2022 6:36 PM

so far.   the pile of grapgpaper rectangles are the orfan industries in scale form with track locations. 

Shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Monday, September 26, 2022 6:30 PM

As design goes on, I have found a home in the new one for two good size pieces of the current one.   The rest goes, unless the farmers coop finds a home.     Most of the upper level is done acept for one stretch along the window wall.  The lower i was going to wait on since I figured, staging,  engine facility aand yard  were there.  But that blank area on the upper that i was thinking urban industrial got me thinking about the seven orfan buildings off the current layout. Wnat to find them a home.  That forced me think of designing the lower to see wht I have. Thats where it sits.   Now I am looking for pics of  urban industrial areas to study trackage ind industry layout.   Looking at old 30's and 40's pics to see what was. This layout is contmporary, so alot of "what once was" s being planned in. Should be very interesting with the locomotive facility.

 

Shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    August 2022
  • From: New England (Cape Cod)
  • 128 posts
Posted by DonRicardo on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 3:43 PM

Just ten cents from an amateur, one advantage of an around the wall layout is the ability to have storage cabinets (I use old Bureaus) under. If hardwired, with dual recptacles on the sides of the cabinets, it makes electrical hookups very easy. Though not an admirer of peninsulars, this also holds true for them as well.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,041 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, September 12, 2022 5:52 AM

Bear, I appreciate your continued pursuit of possible designs for the OP's layout. It is a tough task to design a layout for someone else. Good job!

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,089 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, September 12, 2022 4:36 AM

Doughless
think the locations and number of turnouts you have are more of a suggestion/inspiration than a precise design.  They seem to be very sharp and don't take up as much linear space as would be required.  Just my eyeball opinion.

A valid opinion, Douglas. Though I did set out the turnouts and some track for the yard on the table and took my measurements from the mock-up.
While the general layout of the yard fits in the area allotted, my rendition of the results has not translated well to paper and I should have added a disclaimer on actual accuracy.
This is where the ability of being able to use a CAD track design programme would be handy.
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,402 posts
Posted by Doughless on Sunday, September 11, 2022 9:00 AM

I think the locations and number of turnouts you have are more of a suggestion/inspiration than a precise design.  They seem to be very sharp and don't take up as much linear space as would be required.  Just my eyeball opinion.

- Douglas

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,089 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Sunday, September 11, 2022 12:11 AM

NVSRR by Bear, on Flickr

 

Legend.
 
Minimum radius, Main line, 24”. Minimum radius, Branch & Yard, 20”.  Track used: Peco Code 100 flex, (SL-100)
Turnouts used: Peco Code 100 medium radius, L (SL-E96) & R (SL-E95); large radius Y (SL-E98)
Maximum grade, (branch line only) 2.5%.  Aisle: 30”.   
*Locomotive Servicing. *Depot / Team track. *Farm Supplies / Gravely Distributor.
*Quarry (Stone). *Quarry (Lime stone). *Coal mine. *Steel Fabricators.
*Cement Plant.
____Scenery divider.   ____Vertical separation.
 
 
      Explanation. (Excuses!!)
 
This design has taken awhile as work and life have interfered.
 
As with most layout designs this has its fair share of compromises, but what I’ve tried to do is fill Shane’s prerequisites, as I understand them, and fit them to the “room”.
 
The aisle is for one.
 
To me, modern era means length, (I just hope Shane doesn’t have a large fleet of 89-foot auto racks), so I’ve kept the radius as large as I can, and extended the arrival / departure track to curve around the RH end, so there can be a reasonable (?) train length.
 
I’ve gone for Peco Code 100 medium turnouts because that’s what I use and had on hand to work out the yard. That said, I model the early 50’s when 40/50-foot box cars were the go, but they should work well as long as train speed is kept sensible. The Peco small radius turnouts would save space in the yard, and I suspect that I would also do the job, but…
 
I stuck with linear; easier to construct, but, for example, the inside end of the “peninsular” could be rounded off.
 
I rather suspect that I’ve gone more for running trains, than running trains through scenery, and with that in mind the two outside tracks could be used as separate tracks, or a double tracked main, or a single main with lots of passing loops though of course it does mean running through the scenery twice.
 
It’s been an interesting exercise, though I think learning a CAD track planner would come in handy; if I had the patience!!
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Friday, September 2, 2022 8:36 AM

I didn't see that thread Sheldon.   just getting back online after many months of recovering.  

sshane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,041 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, September 1, 2022 1:03 PM

Yes, I do realize that, and you are a good sport.  Yes

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,865 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, September 1, 2022 12:16 PM

richhotrain

 

 
Doughless
 

And my apologies.  I think I am responsible for being the first to type the words "lawn tractor" in this thread.

BTW, I think I saw a pic somewhere of a finished ceiling in the new layout space.  

 

 

Alas, I am not without guilt. In responding to your comment, I was the first to mention GRAVELY. Embarrassed

 

Rich

 

You do realize I took the bait just for fun?

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,865 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, September 1, 2022 12:14 PM

NVSRR

What is this about a finished ceiling in a layout space I am seeing1?

 

 

Are you asking me? Did you see my pictures in a different thread?

 

Yes, a finished ceiling in the basement for two reasons - less dust, better lighting.

The layout will fill nearly the whole basment.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,865 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, September 1, 2022 12:10 PM

richhotrain

LOL.

Sheldon, would you by chance have a photo of the underside of your Gravely? Smile, Wink & Grin

Rich

 

Really? How many do you want?

This one shows the drive shaft and lift system for the snow blower.

And for giggles the inside of the transmission:

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,680 posts
Posted by maxman on Thursday, September 1, 2022 12:09 PM

richhotrain
I was the first to mention GRAVELY.

Some people will never learn.

Image result for Pandora's box Meme

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Thursday, September 1, 2022 11:57 AM

What is this about a finished ceiling in a layout space I am seeing1?

 

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,041 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, September 1, 2022 8:48 AM

Doughless
 

And my apologies.  I think I am responsible for being the first to type the words "lawn tractor" in this thread.

BTW, I think I saw a pic somewhere of a finished ceiling in the new layout space.  

Alas, I am not without guilt. In responding to your comment, I was the first to mention GRAVELY. Embarrassed

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,402 posts
Posted by Doughless on Thursday, September 1, 2022 8:20 AM

richhotrain

LOL.

Sheldon, would you by chance have a photo of the underside of your Gravely? Smile, Wink & Grin

Rich

 

He's already got a new pic of it in front of the new house....

And my apologies.  I think I am responsible for being the first to type the words "lawn tractor" in this thread.

Smile, Wink & Grin

BTW, I think I saw a pic somewhere of a drop ceiling installed in the new layout space.  It might be time he updated his layout build thread. 

 

- Douglas

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,041 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, September 1, 2022 7:35 AM

LOL.

Sheldon, would you by chance have a photo of the underside of your Gravely? Smile, Wink & Grin

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,865 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 9:52 PM

 

NVSRR

Yeah Sheldon, my grandfather had farming implements that he used to til a quarter acre of the property.  I still have the single disk narrow.   And after that kind of use all these years later that cub is still turn key and almost factory new in that gear box. Surprised me when I tore it down to over haul it.   There was nothing to fix.         I do believe all the attachments for Gravelys are the same ones cub used since they had a three point as well.   Ever here of wheelhouse machines?  Supposedly the low budget line of Gravely

 

i have to keep from getting carried away with the design.  I could do an around the room. But to easy keep going" if I add a siding here".      Originally I had thought of that years ago.     Ore like the PRR corridor sort of thing.  I decided to make Ben work on the other layout instead of other stuff

 

shane

 

Are you talking about a rear three pont hitch? GRAVELY only made one tractor like that and only made it for few years.

While the looks changed and the features expanded, from 1971 to 2002 GRAVELY built the rear engine, gear drive tractor in my picture, all using the same transaxle design.

It is a gear drive tractor with 8 forward ground speeds, and instant forward/reverse by virtue of separate clutches for forward and reverse.

It shares no attachments with other brands, and Wheelhorse was a totally separate company.

A few pictures:

 

 

A good view of how the engine bolts directly to the transaxle, the silver/black disc is the reverse clutch, a similar forward clutch is on the other side.

The 200 lb 50" mower deck is driven by an automotive grade drive shaft, not by belts. There is a belt on the deck to drive the blades. It has a wet disc PTO clutch inside the transmission which is geared directly to the engine.

The 48" snowblower is also all gear/driveshaft driven, no belts.

Mine has optional individual rear wheel "steering brakes" like full sized tractors.

I repowered the tractor two years ago, rather than doing a valve job on the 25 year old Kohler 18 hp, flat head opposed twin M18. The new engine is an overhead valve Kohler CH730, 23.5 hp V twin. 

Other products made by their parent company Ariens have been sold branded with the GRAVELY name, but this gear drive rear engine machine, and the original two wheel walk behind tractor, remained their core products thru the 1990's.

They did make other attachments, rear tiller, front rotary plow, front cultivator, several out front mower decks, a larger mid mount deck, mid mount grader blade and more. I'm not a gardener, so I don't have any of the tillers, etc.

In the 1980's GRAVELY led the pack in the development of out front commercial mowers and zero turn technology. 

Today they are considered one of the best zero turn commercial mower on the market. They no longer make riding garden tractors, but they still provide considerable parts support to these 20 -50 year old machines.

Sheldon

 

 

    

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 10:14 AM

Yeah Sheldon, my grandfather had farming implements that he used to til a quarter acre of the property.  I still have the single disk narrow.   And after that kind of use all these years later that cub is still turn key and almost factory new in that gear box. Surprised me when I tore it down to over haul it.   There was nothing to fix.         I do believe all the attachments for Gravelys are the same ones cub used since they had a three point as well.   Ever here of wheelhouse machines?  Supposedly the low budget line of Gravely

 

i have to keep from getting carried away with the design.  I could do an around the room. But to easy keep going" if I add a siding here".      Originally I had thought of that years ago.     Ore like the PRR corridor sort of thing.  I decided to make Ben work on the other layout instead of other stuff

 

shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,402 posts
Posted by Doughless on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 7:57 AM

NVSRR

I have no pas through issu   since ity is a seperate building.       

 

I did relook and remeasure and realized any penisula coming off the 21 foot wall could reach 16 feet matching the depth of the current layout.       The existing layout goes 6 feet past the windows. 

My cub is 52 years old.   just rebuilt it and found only the 50 year old seals needed attention. 

Shane

 

If its just you occupying that separate building, I would think about an around the walls design. (It wouldn't have to be a complete loop if you didn't want a duckunder at the door).  If you plan a layout height of about 48 inches (and that may be too high for you), a twelve inch deep shelf in the dual purpose areas would not be intrusive at all, but could hold 4 tracks for something like staging.  

- Douglas

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,865 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 7:40 PM

NVSRR

I have no pas through issu   since ity is a seperate building.       

 

I did relook and remeasure and realized any penisula coming off the 21 foot wall could reach 16 feet matching the depth of the current layout.       The existing layout goes 6 feet past the windows. 

My cub is 52 years old.   just rebuilt it and found only the 50 year old seals needed attention. 

Shane

 

That is a real Cub, and they are great machines.

We only had 1 acre at the old house, but had 7000 sq feet of driveway to clear in winter.

Now we have a smaller driveway, at least until I build a second garage, but we have 2.3 acres to cut, and a dozen large trees.

The rear engine GRAVELY rider is a unique all gear drive machine with a long list of attachments and surprising ablity for its size. 

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 7:23 PM

I have no pas through issu   since ity is a seperate building.       

 

I did relook and remeasure and realized any penisula coming off the 21 foot wall could reach 16 feet matching the depth of the current layout.       The existing layout goes 6 feet past the windows. 

My cub is 52 years old.   just rebuilt it and found only the 50 year old seals needed attention. 

Shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,402 posts
Posted by Doughless on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 11:34 AM

richhotrain

 

 
Doughless

My current main layout room is in a walkout basement, shaped 29 x 13, but it has doors in three of the four four corners...a true pass through to other spaces like a furnace room and lawn tractor garage.

 

 

Lawn tractor?  Is it a Gravely?  Smile, Wink & Grin

 

Rich

 

It was a Cub Cadet that came with the house, but the lawn isn't that big so I sold it.  Now the garage holds an EZ GO, which is not a lawn tractor.  

And people walk through the train room all of the time.  An around the whole room layout is not an option.

- Douglas

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,865 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Monday, August 29, 2022 7:48 PM

NVSRR

Gravelys are nice. didnt think they made a lawn tractor quite as small as a lawn.  

 

Cannt see the links to the layout. Mr tells me i have seen to many articles.  which is wierd cause I havent see any so far this year. 

 

Some good ideas with interesting tidbits

 

How small is a lawn? How big is a GRAVELY?

Here is a picture of my GRAVELY in one of its many modes - this one, spring and fall cleanup mode.

This one is 26 years young, quite sure it will last me the rest of my life. 

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Monday, August 29, 2022 6:35 PM

Gravelys are nice. didnt think they made a lawn tractor quite as small as a lawn.  

 

Cannt see the links to the layout. Mr tells me i have seen to many articles.  which is wierd cause I havent see any so far this year. 

 

Some good ideas with interesting tidbits

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,041 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, August 29, 2022 4:46 PM

Doughless

My current main layout room is in a walkout basement, shaped 29 x 13, but it has doors in three of the four four corners...a true pass through to other spaces like a furnace room and lawn tractor garage.

Lawn tractor?  Is it a Gravely?  Smile, Wink & Grin

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Heart of Georgia
  • 5,402 posts
Posted by Doughless on Monday, August 29, 2022 12:47 PM

PennsyLou

 

 
snjroy

Lou Sassi's layout fits in a room 21 X 23. Is that not correct?

Simon

 

 

 
Indeed, however the OP has stated that half the available space (10.5') is allocated to other uses.  So 21' x 10.5' is what is available for the layout.
 

From the recent drawing, it appears that the open space is being used for train related things, like a workshop, etc.  That's different than truly being public space or a pass through room .  (My current main layout room is in a walkout basement, shaped 29 x 13, but it has doors in three of the four four corners...a true pass through to other spaces like a furnace room and lawn tractor garage).

OP could run a shallow shelf along the wall and over the work shop equipment.  Used for staging or possibly a loop for turning trains depending upon accessibility.

- Douglas

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,673 posts
Posted by snjroy on Monday, August 29, 2022 12:16 PM

Here are two other options for continuous running:

https://www.trains.com/mrr/how-to/track-plan-database/one-room-two-track-plans/

I like the one on the right. And plenty of room to add things as these plans are 9 X 15.

Simon

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,673 posts
Posted by snjroy on Monday, August 29, 2022 12:10 PM

Ah, sorry folks, I guess I need a picture like others have suggested. 

Simon

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!