Rebuilt planned for my already new layout

[Anonymous]

I have about 70% track layed for my 8x16 layout but I'm not happy with my continous run layout. Only one smallish yard and no staging. Having watched trains "just roll by" since my kindergarten years this doesn't please me anymore. I want more of a prototypical feeling. Well while running my trains today I decided to measure out the size of my room and "dream up" a new plan.

Well after coming up with a new plan I decided I loved the possibilities. My plan is a point to point with a 6 and a 10 track yard at each end. Atleast one with a engine facility. Almost a mile of mainline track and 28 minimum radius. Possible ten foot stub end passenger terminal(still debating).

The operations are what is getting me most excited. Having to shuffle locomotives to have enough power at a given yard. That once a cut of cars are moved they are at their destination unless they are going out on the local. Actually having a place for my cars to go. The ability to have meets of trains in oppisite directions. And actually having a reason to having op sessions with more than one person. Because I was having trouble coming up with enough traffic to keep more than myself busy. Though I can still run it myself as long as I time my meets right. The only draw back so far is I'll have to cut down my longest trains from 20+ cars to about 15 which I can deal with.

So after some cleaning, desconstruction begins. I'm just glad I nailed the track down instead of glue. Then I will slowly build up till it's done. I'll keep you guys posted and post some pictures of my plan and constructing as it comes along.
Andrew Miller
(truly excited)

[sparkingbolt]

I can relate. As I am in the finishing stages of laying the track, there arises the possability of a larger room in about a year. Add on room, not moving. Anyway, I rather like my track plan, except some of the sections have too short of sidings, So I hope to simply expand on it. Very little ripping up existing track, just splicing in. I guess I would describe my layout as having point to point features but with a continous run surrounding it (around the walls layout), some to be hidden by scenery.

But as you say, you're glad you nailed the track, I glued mine when first starting to lay it on this layout. BIG mistake. Every time i needed to make an adjustment , RIP goes the 5 0r 6 dollar chunk o' Micro Engineering flextrack OUCH. Now, until all the track is laid and satisfactory on a given section, it's all lightly nailed. Dan

[Anonymous]

I applaud your effort to redesign. Many people such as me get caught up in trying to finish something that they stay in what ultimatly is an unproductive avenenue of modeling. While I have learned from each misadventure as you will, it was ultimatly a product of what I was able to do rather than what I truely wanted to do, and as such, have rebuilt after much time was ultimatly wasted.

I applaud you for finding this out relativly early and I congradulate you on a happy modeling carreer.

James

[vsmith]

I feel your pain. My large scale indoor layout started at 8' by 20'. It just got whacked down to 8' x 10' , OUCH! that hurt!

I just finished adjusting the layout and benchwork this weekend. Be happy you figured out what was wrong with your layout and being at a stage early enough to revise it. Imaging if you were ahlfway thru hardshelling the scenery and changed your mind!
Yikes!

[Anonymous]

v-smith- Ouch I feel your pain. When I was in middle school I had a 4x8 that was cut down to 0. About 6 years without a layout. Now I'm back in and loving it.
Student of the Big Sky Blue; Thank you for the applause. I agree about getting caught up in the what you can do instead of want to do is a hard hurdle to. What I've learned is just dive in and if it doesn't work you paid for the lesson not the material.

A quick update; Half of the benchwork is done, it went quick because I was just moving it around. the first yard is about done and the 2% grade is going to be finished tonight and I'll lay track on it tomorrow. I'm hoping that I can fini***he mainline on half the layout before I leave for vacation on the 19th, but I'm not going to do poor work.
Andrew Miller