My layout

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure whether or not it's okay for me to make a thread like this, but hopefully it is...
I'm 15 years old, and space is at a premium on my HO scale layout. I have a single-track main line long enough to satisfy myself, and an adequate amount of sidings, but no real yard. This is okay with me though, as I am mostly concerned with continuous running, and railfanning. Here is a pic of my current track plan (not to scale):


And here's one of how the layout should eventually look:


Tomorrow I will post some pictures of the layout, and statistics. Sorry if there's someplace else where I should have posted this.

[SpaceMouse]

Here's okay. The Layout forum is also good. I like the ideas of over-growing with weeds. There was one like that next to my store, then the Buffalo and Pittsburgh tore it up and rebuilt it. Nearly put me out of business. Now they run coal to the power plant 3 times a week. Must come late at night. Iv'e not seen it yet.

[Anonymous]

Hello Captain Punjab, and welcome to the forum. SpaceMouse has been elected our official welcomer since he got to you first on this.
I have a friend that just recently got into the train hobby. One of his layouts is N scale and the other is HO. Both layouts are on 4 X 8 tables, and are nothing fancy because he's still learning the dos and do-nots. We're talking this guy is 36 years old and still isn't allowed to drink out of an actual glass drinking glass yet because he's so clumsy...
Anyway, you've got a pretty nice plan there. Wish you lots of luck with it, and you picked the right place for any advice or pointers you might need.

trainluver1

[selector]

I agree with all sentiiments above, Captain P. Welcome from me, too!!

I might add to what the other gents have stated that you can always look at your first layout (as you have described above) as the first 'installment' in a bigger layout. It could be the first of two more more modules that will come later and which you could attach to the first one.

Happy building and train-running.

[Anonymous]

That's good! But, how big is it?

[Anonymous]

Welcome,

What a great start! I am working on my first layout. I have not gotten to scenery yet because the track plan keeps evolving (started 2 winters ago). If I can stop adding track maybe I will add some trees and buildings.

I really want to know how you did your diagrams. I would share my track plan if I could do diagrams like that. (If the answer is too detailed, just email me). Thanks. Jeff

[Train 284]

Looks great, what size is it? Also what program did you use to create the track plan? Can't wait to see the pics 2-morrow!

Matt

[tstage]

CP,

Welcome aboard! [:)]

I like your layout. My only suggestion is that you might create a longer vertical straight section between your "dog-bone" - i.e. the one on either side of the "empty space" . It seems a little short and it appears that you should have enough room to do that.

What you want to avoid is creating an "S"-curve when you are coming out of one curve and immediately going into another. A straight section of track, as long as your longest locomotive or rolling stock car, between the two sections, will keep you from having derailments problems when you train goes through that section. What is your radius right in there? It looks terrific otherwise.

Keep us posted on your progress...

Tom

[Anonymous]

You might want to add more industries instead of the stations so you can get more frieght cars

DRew

[Anonymous]

Im assuming that is a 4x8???? Anyway depending on your era many passenger cars wont run well around the radius that can fit on a 4x8. Might consider scrapping the station for a couple more industries.

[Anonymous]

I'm glad that people are responding. Unfortunately, I have to recharge the batteries in my digital camera, and so I can't post pics today. The curves are all 18 inch radius so far, but that doesn't seem to be a problem, as most of my rolling stock is very small. The only problems are the passenger cars of course, but I have seen some smaller ones which I will buy soon.

The track plan is not to scale, as I just did it in MS Paint.[:D]

So far, the locos on the layout are:
0-4-0 (unknown brand, I got it 2nd-hand)
0-6-0 (Bachmann, it's the newest addition to my layout, runs incredibly well.)
2-8-0 (Tyco, it runs badly and I bought it for a really low price a while back)
4-6-2 (Rivarossi)
...and three diesels. I'm not sure what classification of diesel they are, but one is by Mantua, one by Model Power and one by an unknown brand.

The layout is freelanced, and is set during the steam-diesel transition. It's not 4 by 8ft, it's more like 4.5 by 10ft.

PS. I just finished weathering my first freight car, and I'm delighted with the results!

[Anonymous]

Here are the screens, after all this time. Please, don't make any rude comments about how bad the scenery is, I'm still learning the basics! And most of the scenery is just mock-ups.


The second station on my layout.






A weathered freight car.


A row of weathered freight cars next to some unweathered ones.




Don't worry, this is not supposed to be finished scenery. It's just a "tunnel" I made several years ago (and am going to replace).


The first station on my layout.


A weathered TYCO Chattanooga 2-8-0. I chose to weather it because if it didn't turn out well, it wouldn't really matter, as I rarely run that one anyway.


All my steam engines.


All my diesels.