Hello, I'm Leon from Iowa. I have been interested in HO scale trains for the better part of 30 years. I have built an 8'x5' DC table top layout and it has served me well. I have learned alot in many forms of modeling, and still use it as my test bed.
But now I'm interested in building a walk in within the space of a new room I'm finishinhg in my basement, 12.5" x 15" while also converting to DCC I have desided to use the NCE Power Cab system.
The Rock Island went right past our house in the town I grew up in, so naturally, it is my line of choise.But I also have great interest in the Great Northern, Santa Fe, PRR, And Delaware and Hudson rail roads.
My plans are to have a new layout up and running in 2018. Just need to find the right track plan for my space.
Thanks. L
Welcome to the forums Tinindian!
Mike.
My You Tube
Welcome Leon.
It sounds like you've got experience in the hobby and have started off with some informed decisions.
As far as track planning for your space, a few thoughts (and JMO of course):
First thing, there is no reason you can't run all of those railroads on a layout. If you weren't very specific as to topography, all could plausibly run through scenery with generic hills, deciduous trees, and common building architecture. The ATSF, GN, and RI ran through the midwest.
12.5 by 15 isn't a huge space. Running multiple long trains at the same time might get crowded, especially that you would probably want several staging tracks to do that type of running. Using the space for branch line modeling might make for a more realistic looking layout, if that is your goal.
Define your goal. Maybe its mainline running, switching, classification yard work, or even engine servicing for a large collection of locos. Again, with your space, it isn't going to allow you to do all of those things, but it should be able to allow you to do one or two very well.
Urban, Suburban, or rural countryside. Again, probably two can be pulled off well. Three not so well.
Era. Steam, transition, or strictly diesel. Steam locos might require the traditional turntable and roundhouse. A lot of plans you look at will have these elements almost by default and without any real reason, but finding ways to eliminate those space eaters might serve your space well.
A walk in plan in a 12 x 15 will require some fairly tight turnback loops, unless you do a drop in section or duckunder at the entrance. Tight turnback loops suggest tight radius curves, which tend to invite smaller locos and shorter cars.
Loco and car length, and possibly train length, is usually one of the first determiners of what plan will work for you. SD45s and bethgon coalporters would probably not be the best theme for a layout with several tight turnback loops.
That's all for now. Good luck and keep us posted.
- Douglas
If you do generic scenery, as stated, that follows the area around illinios and indiana, that will encompass all the lines except d&h. It will also cover a good number of similar industries. also allows a staging yard to be Chicago. if you are doing diesel era, d&h locos could be lease power for some reason for the PRR.
If you want to go a long way, it could be a threelevel layout Bottom chicago east middle chicago staging top chicago west. That is ambitious but no out landish for the space Something to ponder As it was a passing thought
Wolfie
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
Doughless Welcome Leon. It sounds like you've got experience in the hobby and have started off with some informed decisions. As far as track planning for your space, a few thoughts (and JMO of course): First thing, there is no reason you can't run all of those railroads on a layout. If you weren't very specific as to topography, all could plausibly run through scenery with generic hills, deciduous trees, and common building architecture. The ATSF, GN, and RI ran through the midwest. 12.5 by 15 isn't a huge space. Running multiple long trains at the same time might get crowded, especially that you would probably want several staging tracks to do that type of running. Using the space for branch line modeling might make for a more realistic looking layout, if that is your goal. Define your goal. Maybe its mainline running, switching, classification yard work, or even engine servicing for a large collection of locos. Again, with your space, it isn't going to allow you to do all of those things, but it should be able to allow you to do one or two very well. Urban, Suburban, or rural countryside. Again, probably two can be pulled off well. Three not so well. Era. Steam, transition, or strictly diesel. Steam locos might require the traditional turntable and roundhouse. A lot of plans you look at will have these elements almost by default and without any real reason, but finding ways to eliminate those space eaters might serve your space well. A walk in plan in a 12 x 15 will require some fairly tight turnback loops, unless you do a drop in section or duckunder at the entrance. Tight turnback loops suggest tight radius curves, which tend to invite smaller locos and shorter cars. Loco and car length, and possibly train length, is usually one of the first determiners of what plan will work for you. SD45s and bethgon coalporters would probably not be the best theme for a layout with several tight turnback loops. That's all for now. Good luck and keep us posted.
Thanks, and I must say, you are my new best friend in helping me with my project. You have already giving me things to ponder.
My intention is to have a continuis run type layout. Most of my equipment is diesel (SD-45s are some of my favorite locos) and the largest are the AMTRAK Superliners, so I know I will need good sized radious curves o fit in my space. I may be able to lengthen the availble space a few feet, but I am stuck with the 12.5 foot width.
I would like to do a mix of passenger and freight servive with yards and passenger stations. Mid west COOP grain elevators would also be nice to include. Undesided about any sort of grades at this point, although a bridge or two would add some interest.
I'm an open book, so speak your wisdom, and thanks again!
L
mbinsewi Welcome to the forums Tinindian! Mike.
Thank you Mike! I'm happy to be here!
Welcome aboard. Happy New Year. John Armstrong's book "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" is chock full of track plan ideas, tables of data about track spacing, easing into curves, clearances, lots of stuff. My copy was open in my layout room while I was building my layout. Put in the broadest curves you can fit in, in case you want to run full length passenger cars. Eighteen inch curves limit you to 40 foot freight cars and small locomotives.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Welcome Tinindian.
Good luck with your new layout.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
Welcome, Leon. You'll find this to be a dynamic place where elbows and opinions fly...sometimes. It rarely gets to the point where we have to cut off discussion, but you are sure to get a wide range of opinions here. There's always that nugget of both truth and useful information if you know when it flies past at a great speed of knots.
-Crandell
Hi Leon. The Armstrong book is an excellent recommendation. I am currently working on a similar layout and I looked at hundreds of plans before making a final choice. I don't know what is your financial situation, but if you can afford it, there are a few books about track plans that were really helpful for me (titled 101 plans, 101 more plans, etc.). Once you have a good track plan idea, you can post it here and there are top notch guys that can give you excellent advice about it. There is also software out there that can help you design a plan using the computer, although quite a few of us still use the old pen and paper...
Enjoy!
Simon
Hi Leon! Welcome to the forums!!!
I will also recommend 'Track Planning for Realistic Operation'. It really taught me how much I didn't know. My first layout designs were shown to be pretty useless once I read the book.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
, Leon. You're going to find a wealth of information here on the forums. Don't be afraid to ask questions! Like the old saying goes, "The only dumb question, is the one not asked." You'll meet all kinds of modelers from the beginner, novice, advanced and expert, and somewhere you'll find whatever information you'll need.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Leon, If you are a subscriber to the magazine, there is a wealth of track plans availiable to you explore on this website.
On the black bar at the top of this page, hover your mouse over "How To", and in the middle column, click on "Track Plan Database".
Have fun!