Layout plans

[GDRMCo]

I like #1 because of its multi deck plan but I like #2 more because it has some double track main as well as a set of switchbacks. Your vote counts !!!

[Anonymous]

I voted #1 because it seemed to have the options for industries and such.
Reed

[orsonroy]

Plan one has more potential than does #2, but...

You're being overly optomistic with your lower level staging yard. Unless we're talking about N scale here, the switches look to be #3 frogs.

You haven't given the mainline enough run to climb from one level to the next. Take it from me: I have a 12x25 three level layout that's a strict point to point, and I barely have 8" of clearance where each level meets. This gets stretched to 12-14" in places because my grades aren't constant. Any less than 12" of clearacce really isn't all that fun. It looks like you'll have 3"-5" of clearance for most of your layout!

Hopefully, you're running 0-4-0T's and 22' ore cars, 'cause that's all you'll get around most of your curves.

The plan is a good start, but you really need to draw an accurate, measured plan of the real space you've got, and create scaled drawings from those measurements. Using some sort of cad program for the track plan might help, but paper, pencils and a $8 track template is actually much faster, and sometimes more accurate. After you reach a plan you think might be workable, start making a few mockups of tight areas on the plan, by using masking tape and track laid on the floor. If the mockups work, start building!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Number one looks more like a real railroad. Ray is right about the switches, but I think they may be #1 frogs. The problem I see with both plans is access. If they are built against the wall they are to deep to reach the back. Yoy should never design more than 4' deep, unless you have popups for access.

[darth9x9]

After seeing a dozen or so multideck layouts, you are going to need more room to get from one level to the next. Helixs will almost be a given unless you only want 6" in between levels.