Layout Choice

[Anonymous]

Hi

I went out to the hobby shops today and got everything i need to start my railroad. I just have to wait for my train to come in the mail.

Anyway

I am debating either doing a point to point or a continuos running layout. I want to make it interesting and include a turntable.

Any Suggestion / Plans

Many thanks

Pavariangoo

[selector]

I'll have a go, but you probably recall I am somewhat new to this.

Is it at all possible to incorporate both designs? If not, why not? Many here will urge you not to adopt an either-or stance on this. They will tell you that every layout needs a loop-type main so that you, or people to whom you show-off the layout, will experience the thrill of seeing a train at (scale) speed thunder past. This can only happen realistically on a looped main with WIDE turns..unless your point-to-point is over, say 18' long.. They'll also urge you to build in as much staging track and spurs to industrial "clients" as you can stomach/afford/fit in. Careful of clutter, though. Leave room for structures, cars, trees, etc so that there is a 'wow' factor for all onlookers.

Turntable? Yup, I have one, but I am going DCC. Apparently, DCC complicates turntable operations/wiring because it means that you are introducing a reverse loop. That's all I can tell you about that subject; I have to get my own feet wet when my controller arrives in a few days (GULP!)

Pavariangoo, 'interesting' means different things to different people. Your layout will be interesting, IMHO, no matter what! You will be interested in building whatever you decide it should have, and that will necessarily make it 'interesting'. As a word of advice, plan carefully, nail down a firm plan with careful measurments and estimates of all needed supplies and their costs (!!??), make a 'to-do' list in a sensible order (with written notes to yourself for each step on what the experts say to do/not to do), and then begin at step #1.

It's the way I did it, and I can honestly say that the only serious mistake I made was to neglect staging/passing track. Yes, Pavariangoo, it WAS a mistake.

I could add that I probably should not have stopped at a modification from 18" radius curves to 22"; it would have been better to have gone to 26". If you're really stuck with 18", so be it. If not, PUHLEEEESSE...go bigger.

I'd be happy to add more if you are interested.

[Anonymous]

Why not use a plan that has already been made public in one of the magazines? Most plans have already been well thought out with operating possibilities built in. Some authors such as Iain Rice whose work is often in MR usually give their thoughts and reasons for different facilities and features in their plans. Let the experts do the work for you.

Bob Boudreau

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector


Turntable? Yup, I have one, but I am going DCC. Apparently, DCC complicates turntable operations/wiring because it means that you are introducing a reverse loop. That's all I can tell you about that subject; I have to get my own feet wet when my controller arrives in a few days (GULP!)

Turntables are very EASY with DCC, just wire the turntable track through an auto reverser. (and I mean only the short section of track on the turntable that rotates).

[selector]

Well, if that's all there is to it, nfmisso, then you have just made my day! Thanks for setting me straight...and at ease.