track planning question

[streettrains]

I just came up from the basement after doing some plywood work on the layout, and thought came to my head. Now I have been trying to figure out what track plan I want, then something went off in my head.

Is it possible just to have an almost oval track plan that runs on the outside of the layout and then build eveything inward ( switches, yards, branchlines?)

is that one of the ways?

CUz I was thinking with the way my benchwork looks an oval would be nice to watch long freights go by.

[Jetrock]

The oval with spurs leading into the middle is a fairly common strategy for those who build a 4x8 loop-style layout.

Industrial spurs are a natural choice. Passing tracks are also common. A 4x8 is just about enough space to fit a small yard in the middle, if you don't try to crowd too many tracks inside. A branch line is kind of improbable unless you've got a really big table, although a "hidden" track (running into a tunnel, scenic divider or behind a hill) can be a handy way to add a limited amount of staging.

Keep in mind the limits of your reach--if your layout is 4' deep, make sure you won't have to reach farther than 2 feet at any point to maintain easy clearance. If you have access to your table from all sides, you could put a scenic divider (a tall hill, or backdrop, etc.) in the middle of the layout, to create two complete but separate scenes. Tricks like that really add to the apparent space modeled.

[Anonymous]

That sounds something like Atlas track plan #202 and #203. If you have isle space all around the benchwork, maybe put in a scene divider down the center.

[streettrains]

the layout is about 15 X 22 along the wall, walk in..with eventually a lift out/up bridge...

[Jetrock]

In that case it's even easier--in fact, it sounds a lot like my setup. An around-the-wall layout is best served by having its spurs behind the mainline--it means that the various structures of industries can be modeled as flats or semi-flats as part of the backdrop, and that those industries won't block access to the mainline. Be sure to leave an inch or two of clearance on the near side of the tracks, so a derailment won't end up pitching anything to the floor!

Other than that, the same rules apply, except an around-the-wall setup has lots more room to expand.

Here are a couple photos of my shelf layout--in each shot the mainline is the one closest to the layout edge, except for the middle shot, where a "peninsula" holds a couple of industrial spurs.


My yard--the line closest the edge is the mainline, the yard body tracks are farther from the edge.

My industrial area--peninsula allows industrial trackage on both sides of mainline.

Lowest track in shot is the mainline, still closest to layout edge, with entrance to engine servicing facility/freight wareouse farther from layout edge.

[dinwitty]

I always felt some kind of oval test/operating track is a benefit, but then go crazy with the rest of the layout...

I won't have that luxery, my new design is multi-level shelf, no real looping, realistic operation, but cheat continous operation possible, focusing on switching.

[nfmisso]

I like to have the mainline behind and the spurs in front. It is difficult to do switching while a mainline train roars by between you and your train.......

[Fergmiester]

One of the older Great Model Railroads had an article on a layout that was a big oval and had spurs going inward. If I can find it I'll let you know which one it is. 1996 comes to mind.

Fergie

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jetrock

Jetrock I really love the window air conditioner in that house toward the right side of the picture. Haven't seen too many of those - I guess they were not that common in the Transition Era.

[Jetrock]

KenLarsen: Depends on the place. The casting is of a swamp cooler, which were mass-marketed as early as 1939. My layout's era is the 1950's, and its location is Sacramento, California in deep summer. Sacramento is one of those places where air conditioning is more than a luxury, it is practically a necessity! So while air conditioning wasn't universal in the Transition Era, it was commonly found in places that got very hot.

Sacramento has other features due to its heat--all the homes in the older parts of town have porches to beat the summer heat, and downtown is legendary for its trees--this was a treeless valley before the Gold Rush, but residents planted trees to provide a little shade to stave off the summer sun. So, every house on my layout will have porches, most will have wall air conditioners, and I'll have even more trees...

[streettrains]

Jet great pics!!!

I am going for a continous run thing,,,,

it was so hard for me to imagine my layout, when I was trying to draw up something. Then as I did the benchwork and laid down some plywood, then I could start picturing things. Even this morning as I was on the treadmill, I could envision stuff.

I almost want to treat itlike a modular set up, I have seen some good plans with modular.

Like I said I hope to get some pics posted soon....

i may toy with the idea of maybe not running all the mainelines along the edge....
thanks for the info

Fergie let me know if you find that article./....

have a great day everyone....