MainlineModeler wrote:Any1 know a good loco to run on this layout?
I run a small 40' switcher on my switching layout, an SW7. For varietly I'll sometimes throw on the GP35, but the SW unit fits much better.
Without a doubt, a small layout done well, outdoes a huge layout done half-heartidly.
You have done very well. Looks like a fun lil switcher!
-Don
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
MilwaukeeRoad wrote:What kind of turnouts did you use?
What kind of turnouts did you use?
Who are you asking (me - who posted a rough sketch or the original poster/layout builder) ?
And what are you asking (turnout size or turnout make or both) ?
For my quick and dirty sketch I used Peco code75 small turnouts (small right, small left, small wye). What the original layout builder used to build his layout I don't know. Whatever he used, it looks pretty good from my point of view!
Incidentally - to make something this small, you really would need to take the engine you plan to use (which probably should be fairly small - e.g. a GE 70-tonner or a 0-6-0T) and take the cars you plan to use (e.g. 40' boxcars) and measure how much space you need for the combinations loco+1 car and loco+2 cars to be able to use the turnouts.
You would not want to "waste" space on having leftover 3/4ths of a car length where you don't need em for clearance, while you are short on another part of the layout - moving things an inch or two left or right is potensially pretty significant for usability for a 7' H0 shelf switching layout.
So you would have to take your layout space, some turnouts and do some test fitting to find the exact location of turnouts.
Also - going to N scale would turn that 20" x 7 feet into a relatively big space - a 20" x 7 feet N scale layout would be roughly the equivalent of an H0 layout about 20" x 1.83 (160 / 87.1) = 36" deep and 7 feet x 1.83 = 12.8 feet (12' 9") long. For a visual comparison showing what that would mean:
Anyways - if what you were asking was what make and size of turnouts the original poster/layout builder had used, hopefully he will answer you too.
Smile, Stein
Wow, that is really coming along nicely! You need to find a way to incorporate that little structure into the layout, it's a beaut!
I too couldn't wait for the space to build a big layout and went with a version of The Timesaver. They are a great way to get modeling and running trains when you don't have the space to build an empire.
Keep us updated.
Mike
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Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
BRJN wrote: May I suggest (based on experience) that you find a 2 ft or 3 ft tall blue backdrop (I used a ceiling insulation panel) to put along the room walls? Besides looking more like sky, it will brighten up that dark back corner.Later on you can learn to paint clouds on it, maybe cut out a picture of a flock of birds and paste it on, find a distant shot of some landmark building and glue that on too. Something I haven't got brave enough to do yet is to stand in some tracks (what is that noise?!) and take a digital picture of the horizon, then computer-size it to match my tracks and paste it up so the track seems to go out of town and extend forever.
May I suggest (based on experience) that you find a 2 ft or 3 ft tall blue backdrop (I used a ceiling insulation panel) to put along the room walls? Besides looking more like sky, it will brighten up that dark back corner.
Later on you can learn to paint clouds on it, maybe cut out a picture of a flock of birds and paste it on, find a distant shot of some landmark building and glue that on too. Something I haven't got brave enough to do yet is to stand in some tracks (what is that noise?!) and take a digital picture of the horizon, then computer-size it to match my tracks and paste it up so the track seems to go out of town and extend forever.
How's this? I will try to add some clouds later on..
steinjr wrote:http://home.online.no/~steinjr/trains/modelling/fergus/index.html
That's a good one. I might need to plagarize that.
MilwaukeeRoad wrote:Do you have a track plan? I may have to resort to that sort of layout..
Do you have a track plan?
I may have to resort to that sort of layout..
Track plan is fairly visible in the pictures he posted. A quick sketch would be something roughly along these lines (it probably still could be tweaked quite a bit):
Stein, Thanks for the great comments on My layout, As for Your questions, The tracks are 3 inches apart. The item You asked about isn't a lineside structure it's actually a kit I'm building but don't have room for..I just happened to set it on the layout the other day and didn't move it for the photo.
Also In the Header I said My layout was 2x7 feet, I'm sorry it's actually 20 inches by 7 feet, Sorry if I miss led any one on that.
Great Western Rwy fan wrote:okay well, I am still working on most of the buildings, so here is an update of whats going on with My timesaver,or if You prefer You can just call it an Module. It will one day go into a larger layout. Notice I did put a backdrop painted sky blue, I still need to try my hand at cloud making.And here is an arial view showing the track plan,I used 6 turnouts total so I have at least some fun switching. I'm not good at drawing on the computer and don't have a program to designing a track plan so I hope this helps You see how it's layed out.
okay well, I am still working on most of the buildings, so here is an update of whats going on with My timesaver,or if You prefer You can just call it an Module. It will one day go into a larger layout. Notice I did put a backdrop painted sky blue, I still need to try my hand at cloud making.
Man, I love the way that layout looks ! Good scenery, structure and train modelling, even if you are not done with everything yet. It will probably be years and years before my layout starts looking anywhere even nearly as good as yours!
Hmmm - the way access to Rocky Mountain Warehouse and Cold Storage it is now is good enough for a small switching puzzle, but for a larger layout it possibly get a little bit annoying in the long run to switch those three-four cars in and out from RM one by one, after first having to remove the one or two cars in front of the small green building (the manufacturing company) on the back right hand side. Too many identical repetitive moves.
If you were to turn this into part of a larger layout some day, I guess the main change, apart from hooking it to the mainline past the tanks back there, probably would be to either create a longer switchback in front of the manufacturing plant, so you can take 3-4 cars at a time into RM, or change where that siding for RM comes off the main or runaround, perhaps having the tracks to the RM and the manufacturing plant cross each other.
But be that as it may - your layout looks very nice. And I really like the nice touch of having a caboose track at the front there.
And having three of those tracks crossing the road, probably sometimes making it necessary to split trains with a couple of cars on the right of the road and the rest of the cars on the left of the road - if you chose to run with a rule that road cannot be blocked by parked RR cars. Would probably be a pain for a real railroader, but fun for a switching puzzle.
Btw - what distance do you have between parallell tracks - about 3" center-to-center for those two middle tracks ?
Btw2 - in that last picture - what is the object on the aisle side of the layout - across the track from the tanks, near the front of the train ? Is that an aisle side industry or just some stuff used to work on the layout ?
This is the local feed and seed for the area farmers This structures requires freight mainly brought in by Boxcars...
This is the "Rocky Mountain warehouse and cold storage" I am building this using DPM components,As I aquire more parts I will continue this project. This facility is serviced by Boxcars and Reefer cars..
This is a "Manufacturing company" that makes products from sheet metal. I modified this structure from a Suydam metal kit, I still need to add interior figures and more equipment.
This building utilizes Flat cars and Boxcars.Also it is serviced by motor freight.
Here is a tank farm which I don't really like too much, I think it has more of a european look to it so it seems to not fit the scene well. Of course it is used by tank cars.
And here is an arial view showing the track plan,I used 6 turnouts total so I have at least some fun switching. I'm not good at drawing on the computer and don't have a program to designing a track plan so I hope this helps You see how it's layed out.
Stein and Loathar,
Thank you again! Now I have good load of quality track plans to choose from.
My wall layout plan so far is looking to be 19 inches wide by 27 feet total length on 3 walls. It will be 53 1/2" from the floor as I want to operate trains from an "eye level" view instead of the traditional "helilcoptor view" of most layouts.
If I can change out the room's entrance door from a traditional swing door to a sliding door, then I can have a complete square that will allow continuous running with a total length of 37 ft (I have to re-measure to be sure). I'd have to employ 2 hinged "lift up" sections. One for the door entrance, the other for access to a closet. After looking at a photo of Driline's layout, I saw that 2 lift ups are feasible.
Maybe I'm too ambitious but basically I'm looking for the best of both worlds in a tight space: A mainline (2 track if possible) that will permit running of passenger trains and/or moderately heavy freights, while having a number of businesses in a small 1960s eastern town that will require switching operations. "Condensed" versions of the SCL's Champion and Silver Meteor will be regulars on the mainline. (likely 7 or 8 cars instead of the prototypes 15 to 18! )
That's why I have a very strong preference for DCC as I expect to be fequently operating 2 trains at the same time and want to be able to change routing, stopping, or switching manuevers without having to worry about cab route blocks.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
AntonioFP45 wrote:Great Western,Can you please post your track plan diagram? I'm currently building my layout's foundation (along the wall style) but have not finalized the actual track plant itself. Thank you
Great Western,
Can you please post your track plan diagram? I'm currently building my layout's foundation (along the wall style) but have not finalized the actual track plant itself.
Thank you
There is a lot of cool small standalone switching layouts out there. Some made mainly for the scenery, some made mainly for playing the timesaver or inglenook game, some prototype based, and so on and so forth.
A handful of small switching plans that have tickled my fancy over time:
Here is a handful of plans I've drawn up myself over time (but not built). I would really love to see someone build something based on one of these plans one day:
Anyways - just wanted to share a handful of other smallish switching plans. There is a lot more out there - e.g. have a look at Model Railroad Planning for 1998 and 1999 - Linda Sand has some neat industrial switching layout plans!
And I also agree that Great Western's layout looks sharp!
GraniteRailroader wrote:... I have to switch the equivalent of a "time saver" at work (with the exception of the lengths between the sidings and car capacities) and it's nothing more then a big pain in the... you know.
Here's an interesting link that goes along with what you're saying:
http://www.housatonicrr.com/timesaver.htm
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
thats an excellent way to get up and running and try your hand at everything the hobby has to offer. the timesaver was my switching area i had on my first serious layout...taught me alot!! your timesaver looks great!! maybe take some more pictures and do a write up...a day in the life of......(enter your railroad name here)
Joe
Modeling:
Providence & Worcester Railroad
"East Providence Secondary"
HO scale
To me, the "Time Saver" is nothing but a game of "How many moves does it take you to move this one here and replace that there?". The "Inglenooks" ranks right up there too....
With a 2x7 space, there are numerous other options other then a runaround with a switchback and two stub ended spurs.
I have to switch the equivalent of a "time saver" at work (with the exception of the lengths between the sidings and car capacities) and it's nothing more then a big pain in the... you know.
This space reserved for SpaceMouse's future presidential candidacy advertisements
The Timesaver is a great first layout. It can also be incorporated into a larger layout later. I did that with a Timesaver. I also built (track is finished, scenery in-work) a corner switching layout that is currently being incorporated into a larger layout. So when you get tired of this one, pack it up and build another switching layout with a different track plan. Then you have two modules toward a larger layout.
Good job on yours by the way.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Thank you Loathar
I've downloaded several good plans that will work well within my limited space.
AntonioFP45 wrote: Great Western,Can you please post your track plan diagram? I'm currently building my layout's foundation (along the wall style) but have not finalized the actual track plant itself. Thank you
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=timesaver+track+plans
Here's a bunch of Timesaver track plans you can check out.