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Modular layout for operations

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Modular layout for operations
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 4, 2004 9:48 PM
Good evening,

I presently have a 5' X 10' layout spagetti bowl type and found out that if I ever move, it would be difficult to dismantle. I am at the point to put money on scenery but wonder if I should continue investing in it since I am also a bit fedup of looking my trains doing circles. I now think that building a modular layout designed for operation could be interesting. I have a 12' by 10' room. Any suggestions ? I got in my hands on the Sept. 96 Model Railroader Magazine and found David Barrow's Cat Mountain's south plains district model railroad. Unfortunately I do not have the December Issue which is part IV of Mr. Barrow's article where he describes a typical operating session. Did anyone tried to built it ?

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Patrick.
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Corpus Christi, Texas
  • 2,377 posts
Posted by leighant on Sunday, January 4, 2004 10:45 PM
For your space, I would suggest not Modular but sectional.
What's the difference? Modular is a kind of layout with standard size and alignment pieces, more or less interchangeable so a layout can be assembled from different people's modules. Sectional is in pieces, but pieces are not necessary identical or interchangeable.
I have been planning a layout for space about 11 x 12 with closet on other side of room from access door, and other problems. I think a good scheme for that size room is shelf layout around the walls, twice around oval, with approximately 1 1/2 times around visible and remainder in layover staging behind scenery.

I think in this size space you want/need to have at least one continuous oval in order to see a train run a little. Might be single or double track. Modeled as two or more separate lines all the way around the layout is TOO MUCH for my taste-- simply allows almost no room for non-railroad real estate.

One plan I drew up and worked out in some detail is point-to-point but with a connection that allows continuous running. A "west end" staging yard is at the back of one side of the layout. The line comes out from that staging to the front of the shelf, runs around the room and crosses itself to go to the back of the shelf into "east end" staging. Where the two lines cross, there is a connection that allows continuous running when desired, but it looks like a crossing of two different railroads and cars can be spotted on the connection to represent interchange traffic from one railroad to another, and deliberately blocking the connection from being used as a mainline. Cars are placed on the connecting track between sessions so that the same railroad is not delivering to itself.
This layout does NOT have absolute scenic integrity-- mainline passing each scene only once. But it does have strong sense of direction, traffic moving a definite east or west.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 5, 2004 7:48 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by leighant

For your space, I would suggest not Modular but sectional.
What's the difference? Modular is a kind of layout with standard size and alignment pieces, more or less interchangeable so a layout can be assembled from different people's modules. Sectional is in pieces, but pieces are not necessary identical or interchangeable.
I have been planning a layout for space about 11 x 12 with closet on other side of room from access door, and other problems. I think a good scheme for that size room is shelf layout around the walls, twice around oval, with approximately 1 1/2 times around visible and remainder in layover staging behind scenery.

I think in this size space you want/need to have at least one continuous oval in order to see a train run a little. Might be single or double track. Modeled as two or more separate lines all the way around the layout is TOO MUCH for my taste-- simply allows almost no room for non-railroad real estate.

One plan I drew up and worked out in some detail is point-to-point but with a connection that allows continuous running. A "west end" staging yard is at the back of one side of the layout. The line comes out from that staging to the front of the shelf, runs around the room and crosses itself to go to the back of the shelf into "east end" staging. Where the two lines cross, there is a connection that allows continuous running when desired, but it looks like a crossing of two different railroads and cars can be spotted on the connection to represent interchange traffic from one railroad to another, and deliberately blocking the connection from being used as a mainline. Cars are placed on the connecting track between sessions so that the same railroad is not delivering to itself.
This layout does NOT have absolute scenic integrity-- mainline passing each scene only once. But it does have strong sense of direction, traffic moving a definite east or west.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 5, 2004 8:06 PM
Patrick,

I found a site a few days ago called www.layoutdepot.com

In that site, I looked at one layout called (I think...)Avondale &Tintangel. I thought this was a "modular" layout, though now better understood, it's a "domino" layout.

Anyway, this fellow has some neat sections, one or two of which I'm strongly considering using. His plans are easy enough to view by downloading Atlas's design program, RTS.

His design is N Scale, though I'll be building HO. Nevertheless, ideas are there!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 5, 2004 8:31 PM
Thanks for the info sav336 !

Patrick
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 5, 2004 8:34 PM
Leighant,

Could it be possible to get a link where I could see the layout you are talking about ?

Patrick.

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