Hey guys!
OK I think I have finally convinced my wife to allow a 4x8 layout so long as I can move it as needed. This is the reason for the 4x8 design. I know 5x9 gives me alot more room but I have 2 problems with 5x9 One the rooms I can place this is are 12 x 8 and 12 x 9 each so a 5x9 is going to be cramped, the other thing is my Avalanche only can fit a 4' wide piece of wood when I have to take the layout to storage.
So here is the track plan. I remember a Woodland Scenics kit that had an around the wood twice that still allowed for operations, so I based this layout on that. Trains will move counterclockwise only on this layout due to the grade on the smaller loop being 3.5% The western side of the layout is desert and that starts the climb into the mountains which is on the east side of the layout. In the mountains will be a lumber yard that will supply the Barrel factory with wood. A small depot near the barrel factory is there to handle some freight that comes in every now and then. There is another spur but I have yet to decide what to put there, I have a couple of ideas but it will have to wait till I get the models out and place them to see.
In the eastern part of the layout will be a couple of houses and some activity there like some one fishing off a dock and maybe some other domestic activities. My DCC equipment will be in the south east corner under the mountain, I am not sure if I should put power districts in or not but maybe only on the spurs to prevent all the trains from stopping if I short over a switch. I am hoping for the ability to run 2 trains at a time but no more than that.
Benchwork is going to be 1x4 outer box with 1x3 inner braces and the legs I am planning on making fold inside the underneath for storage.
Any thoughts on making this better? did I plan this one OK. Please let me know.
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Not bad....not bad at all.
The 3.5 grade is pretty steep, but downgrade won't be as bad. Limiting your layout to one direction might get old though.
BTW, you didn't mention........what scale are we talking about?
If HO scale, those curves will limit you to smaller equipment.
If N scale, the curves are fine, but you're going to want to MU for the grades.
Personally, I think N scale would make the layout seem bigger as all the rolling stock and buildings would take up less physical space for each piece. The scenery that you describe would work well in this scale.
If you're going HO scale, an urban layout would make the layout seem larger by limiting the ability to view the whole layout because of buildings blocking the views. It would also support the idea of smaller loco's and rolling stock. I'm not saying the scenery you describe couldn't work in HO, but it might be harder to pull off without looking cramped.
Just my
Thank you for the comments Phillip, My scale is HO, and I was planning on using GP type locomotives and 4 to 6 cars at a time max.
I was thinking that one way only running would get tiresome after a while but I could not get the grade any lower in this configuration.
I thought about an urban layout in the past but never have I been able to make a layout that flows well to me. I usually try to stuff too much into too little space.
Having been in the deserts of the southern US a few times I love the scenery there and also the way the desert seems to end ubruptly at a mountain. This is the reason for the desert to mountain scenery choice I took here.
Again thank you for your comments
Your layout is very similiar to the Cactus Valley which was in MR in Dec 98.I think you should take a look at that one for comparison.
The 3.5% grade won't be a problem for a 4 axle diesel with 6 freight cars.
Bill
hi,
The Cactus Valley plan, you can find it in the track-plan--database, contains a good lesson: it has a passing siding. With some good planning you can make such a siding at the same spot on your layout as well; the siding can even be lengthened. I like the future-expansion-track in your design. With a cassette added to it you would have a place to swap trains or cars.
Due to the passing siding you can have trailing and facing spurs; this is making switching more challanging. If you could transform one of your spurs into an interchange and make another a teamtrack you will have a pretty good layout.
Now a train comes in from the cassette, switches the spurs along the way; then runs around the train using the passingsiding, set out his cars on the interchange track and is ready for the return trip to the cassette. This sounds more like railroading then just doing some laps in one direction only, especially if your cassette is named e.g. Sacramento.
BTW if I used to much RR-slang please ask.
Paul
Well I played with the idea of the passing siding in the middle of the layout, no joy. so I tinkered with it in other locations and I found a 3 foot section in the south part of the layout to make it all work. I still have one direction travel, the siding is on an incline so parking cars here is out of the question as well. I am beginning to wonder if it is worth putting it there. What do you think? I know the end decision is mine but I would love some help in making that decision. Here is the image of what I was playing with.
I also took a look at the Cactus Valley layout and yes it is alot like mine. I like that layout.
Have you allowed for a vertical transition between level and inclined track? A very rough calculation suggests that once you do, the grades will be steeper than you expect, but I could be wrong.
If you think about sectional benchwork rather than a monolith 4X8, you could have more space to ease grades (and thus avoid one-way running), improve curve radii, add more operating interest, include a decent passing siding for two-train operation, etc., while still being able to transport the layout. In fact, it would be even easier to transport it.
Best of luck.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I am planning on putting the vertical easments in place. I put the total rise to 3.75 inches to allow for the easments. (I didnt feel like getting too detailed with the CAD program).
Building a sectional layout was my first idea but my wife would not have me taking up the entire dining room. This layout allows me to load it into my truck intact, I have 2 rooms in the house I can set it up in, and it will fit into storage just fine in one unit. I have tossed many ideas around with her and this is the only one that we can agree on.