Wayne, have you been published? Because to me that looks like a layout visit needs to be in MR.
jim
Thanks for you generous assessment, Jim, but posting a few photos here allows me to show scenes which are relatively "done", while keeping the unfinished (or even un-started) portions of the layout away from the camera's probing eye. Most of the photos to which you refer were cropped to remove some of the unsightly support work for a soon-to-be-built partial second level of the layout and/or the accumulated mess of construction materials on the floor. Most here know that I'm not embarrassed to show those unfinished portions if it answers a request for information, but most of that stuff would make for a boring layout tour.
For someone like the OP, planning to build a layout in a similar space, it may offer some ideas or cautions about what might be accomplished and also demonstrates that I at least speak from experience.
Wayne
Hi all, here is the benchwork grid I have come up with. Each section will be around 1.2m by 60cm so I can easily take it apart if I have to move. What you think?
South African Model Railroader navigating the American model railroading world!
Keep in mind that if the NW corner of the benchwork is to have a loop of track, the radius of that loop will have to be about 22 inches maximum. (Edit: Assuming HO scale.) That will limit the length of locos cars you can run.
If you are concerned about having a degree of prototyipical accuracy, the types of locos and cars you can run will tend to dictate what theme of layout you have. For instance, you are probably not going to have an SD90MAC, 72' center beam lumber cars, or longer propane tank cars running over that portion of the layout....but you can always do as you want.
It will also limit your ability to reach in to fix derailments or perform other chores. You may need to cut an access hatch in the center of the benchwork.
- Douglas
I am assumming this is HO scale, I havent seen a mention of a scale anywhere in any post, Im just wondering.
Also have you given thought to what era you plan to model? Or any specific type of cars, locomotives you want to run.
The scale and type of equipment you plan on running determines your minimun radius, which direcly affects the sizes of benchwork under return loops, etc. Equipment type also affects your minimum overhead clearance for flyovers, tunnels, bridges etc.
I plan to model the 80s or modern USA, haven't got a specific area or railway going to make that up myself. Might go as far as creating my own railway company and spraying the trains myself. Oh and it's in HO scale.
Definitly don't plan to run big/long trains. Thinking more on the lines of the area as a branch line with a few industries shipping goods out of the area and receiving supplies.
Terence
I would recommend taking a look at the NMRA standards and reccomended practices. Specifically S-7 and RP-11 (S-7 is clearances and RP-11 is rolling stock and curvature). Unfortuneately these are not currently available as the NMRA website is being updated (I just checked 7/26/14 @ 7:10PM EST), but the cat page not found gif is hilarious. This will give you an idea of the recommendations for minimum curves for your rolling stock and the clearances necessary. An NMRA track guage is also an invaluable tool (once you start buying and laying track). It is a go/no go gauge that covers clearances, track, wheels and turnout clearances, with instructions on each measurement.
terencevs I plan to model the 80s or modern USA, haven't got a specific area or railway going to make that up myself. Might go as far as creating my own railway company and spraying the trains myself. Oh and it's in HO scale. Definitly don't plan to run big/long trains. Thinking more on the lines of the area as a branch line with a few industries shipping goods out of the area and receiving supplies. Terence
A branch line, of a class 1 or class ii railroad, not an independent shortline, in the 80's would probably run 2nd generation diesels or possibly some rebuilt or enhanced 1st gen diesels. GP35's, 30's, and 38's and 40's would be likely. GE u23b's and B23-7s too. A railroad like that would have probably have gotten rid of any Alco product, but I'm sure there would be a few.
More modern era would likley see GP38's, 40's, thier dash 2 sisters, U23B's and B23-7's. MP15's and GP15s would fit this time frame, but I think they were considered too light for most bigger railroads.
terencevs So I am in the process of planning my layout, and I think I have become a bit obsessive to the point where I cant see further than wanting multiple industries on my layout which will only have a single garage worth of space (16ft by 9ft). So I am stuck, and would really appreciate some advice: Should I have a staging area in such a small space Should I focus on one or two small industries and create areas that service these industries Should I just keep it a small yard? I wanted to have a yard withe a turn table, diesel servicing facility I have planned a wrap around the wall. 2ft wide. Any other suggestions would really be appreciated.
So I am in the process of planning my layout, and I think I have become a bit obsessive to the point where I cant see further than wanting multiple industries on my layout which will only have a single garage worth of space (16ft by 9ft).
So I am stuck, and would really appreciate some advice:
I have planned a wrap around the wall. 2ft wide.
Any other suggestions would really be appreciated.
Hi terencevs
Well my current layout is 4'6" square
I have a fiddle yard (Err Oop's thats English for staging yard), small loco depot (Very small it caters for one Loco)
and a two track freight yard with stock race and a small goods shed and a passanger station.
So thats all three on your list covered plus one extra
Industry is covered by the stock race for loading sheep and the goods shed and crane cover a whole host of freight types both incoming and out going
What you need to do is make the facilaties and industries on the layout appropriate for the type of railway and area you are modelling.
Having two industries that serve each other is not a problem if your layout is large enough to do it properly and have other industries for the switching crews to work as well.
Using the power plant for example (the oldest trick in the book) you would need at least a thirteen car train of just coal hoppers and thats just for it to look right then one empty of the same size these would go back and forth all the time
As you can see it would soon get monotonos without the other industries in addition to the mine and power plant.
If your yard is large enough you could perhaps have a running shed close by rather than a full blown loco depot
it takes less space in that no storage area for large fleets of loco's as they go in get fuel oil sand and water a quick look over and then back out to traffic.
Oh! and incoming fuel tankers and sand containers and the odd box car of consumables so adds to the freght movement if set up properly yes very short freight trains do go into loco depots to deliver what's needed
Its all about what type of railroad you are building.
As much as we would all love to have that monster dream layout with everything not that many of us have the room for it, so compromises of one sort or another have to be made.
regards John
DoughlessA branch line, of a class 1 or class ii railroad, not an independent shortline, in the 80's would probably run 2nd generation diesels or possibly some rebuilt or enhanced 1st gen diesels. GP35's, 30's, and 38's and 40's would be likely. GE u23b's and B23-7s too.
I will add I've worked with brand new Chessie SD50s on mine runs-these runs was usually held down by 4 axle Geeps or early 6 axle SDs or 4 or 6 axle GEs..
For ease of motive power selection I would opt out for a short line with 1 or 2 engines-probably GP7s or RS1s .
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BRAKIE Doughless A branch line, of a class 1 or class ii railroad, not an independent shortline, in the 80's would probably run 2nd generation diesels or possibly some rebuilt or enhanced 1st gen diesels. GP35's, 30's, and 38's and 40's would be likely. GE u23b's and B23-7s too. I will add I've worked with brand new Chessie SD50s on mine runs-these runs was usually held down by 4 axle Geeps or early 6 axle SDs or 4 or 6 axle GEs.. For ease of motive power selection I would opt out for a short line with 1 or 2 engines-probably GP7s or RS1s .
Doughless A branch line, of a class 1 or class ii railroad, not an independent shortline, in the 80's would probably run 2nd generation diesels or possibly some rebuilt or enhanced 1st gen diesels. GP35's, 30's, and 38's and 40's would be likely. GE u23b's and B23-7s too.
And that's a good point to consider. That mine run was probably a good money maker for the railroad, so they could afford to put new equipment on that run. A less active branch might have older equipment.
Because of the OP's sharp curves on the loop, he should probably not consider using six axle diesels.
DoughlessThat mine run was probably a good money maker for the railroad, so they could afford to put new equipment on that run. A less active branch might have older equipment.
Probably lack of 4 axle and older units at Russell Ky..I know C&O preferred older units on mine runs.
A less active branch may see any available locomotive being used as long as the assigned locomotive's weight on the rail isn't greater then the rail and bridge(if any) weight limit of the branch.
If you google search NMRA S-7, and NMRA RP-11, they should show up as the first result. Just the Website links are broken.
Hi terences
A thought just came to mind.
If your stuck on industries to model.
model secret squirrel industries you run a line to the industry it goes through a gate, then ducks behind a rise that hides the train and all you can see from the normal viewing angle is a couple of factory
chimeny stacks, pocking up from behind the rise it could be anything down the line
The main thing is the train is out of sight and the base of the stacks must not be seen iether or the illusion will be destroyed.
If it is definatly military and Stargate Command or some equaly secret area is down that line you have the gate a guard post wth armed men and a good security fence with defence department property trespassers will be shot ect signs on the fence.
Again make sure the train goes right out of sight from normal viewing angle.
Not my Idea unfortunatly.
I read it in one of the many monthly model raiway publications I get.
It might even have been an old Model Railroader
Its one of those ideas that grabs you and you remember it because it might just come in handy later on.