Hello everybody,
it is time to start thinking about the type and kind of layout to build. The space will be in a 24 by 24 loft, have hidden staging and two levels of scenery. That is the easy part. Was thinking of the main line and branch line theme, then the flatland single track main line only, or even a double track scenario. All are great options, only problem, can only build one. That is the beauty of this great hobby, so many variables to choose from, at the same time it can also be a real head scratcher.
The equipment will be Canadian Pacific with some CN and BNSF and a couple of UP visitor set in and around 2002 in HO.
So my question is how did you come up with the design for your layout?
Thank you
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
da_kraut Hello everybody, it is time to start thinking about the type and kind of layout to build. The space will be in a 24 by 24 loft, have hidden staging and two levels of scenery. That is the easy part. Was thinking of the main line and branch line theme, then the flatland single track main line only, or even a double track scenario. All are great options, only problem, can only build one. That is the beauty of this great hobby, so many variables to choose from, at the same time it can also be a real head scratcher. The equipment will be Canadian Pacific with some CN and BNSF and a couple of UP visitor set in and around 2002 in HO. So my question is how did you come up with the design for your layout? Thank you Frank
Frank, Basically I knew what I wanted to incorporate in the layout (specific scenes) and knew approximately where I wanted them to be placed. There is no reason you can't have both double tracked and single tracked mains on the same layout. In fact this would really be in keeping with your era.
I would suggest drawing out the bench work first, so you know how much area you can take up with the layout. Would you have any peninsulas? Sounds like you would certainly have room.
I think once you know how much bench work you can have, it’s pretty easy to fill it with track work.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Thinking in scenes, or - in a more new-fangled term -LDE´s is certainly a good way to start your layout planning. Note tthat I say layout planning instead of track planning. There is much more to a layout than just a track plan. Actually, quite often too much attention is given to a track plan, leaving scenery the t"thing" to fill the empty spaces between the tracks.
Make a list of what scenes you would like to incorporate your layout, arrange them in the order you would like to see them, add track - voila, here is your layout plan. OK, it´s not that easy, but which other way is there to start?
The space would probably be adequate to feature both CP and CN on the same layout, possibly on two parallel routes. Maybe one could be single track and the other double. I think I'd identify my favorite lines and my favorite scenes. There will probably be more than one. Identify your priorities: operation; passenger service; scenery; favorite industries; yard operations; whatever. When you identify your priorities like that, it will help you to narrow down those favorite lines.
Then, try to visualize those favorites in your space. It's a loft, so don't forget to allow for head room, especially if there is a sloping ceiling. Keep in mind the need for staging. Consider options like point-to-point vs. continuous run. Keep pencil & paper with you at all times so you can doodle. Doodle a lot! Model railroaders who are in the process of planning a future layout should be called "Doodle Railroaders".
Stretch your imagination and enjoy the process.
Tom
C.N. and C.P. can cohabitate quite nicely together on the same layout, just as in real life.
C.P. and C.N. do a lot of sharing of trackage from Kamloops down to the coast. The Fraser/ Thompson Canyon(s) generally have trains heading West on the C.N. line while the C.P. line is used for East bound trains.
When I started planning I wanted C.P. Vancouver to Calgary. I have a 24' x 15' area taken up currently, but can double that if I choose to. I soon realized that what I wanted and how it would look wouldn't work in that space. So I have a Rocky Mountain pusher station at one end and the Alberta foothills at the other. At this point in time the pusher station will be my main industry as it will allow me to have and move a lot of Loco's around, as the station will also include repair facilities.
If I ever get that to a point of completion I will double my space and do a small section of Vancouver harbour. To do the whole harbour would require 300' of benchwork. I have never been a fan of selective compression, so I will pick what I want to model and do it to scale.
The one must have on the layout is the Stoney Creek Bridge. Other than that I am flexible.
An example of why I spend so much time in the Rockies and choose to model it.
A Mathew Hicks Photo!
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Hi Brent, I'm another Rocky Mountain fan from Canada living just to the east of the big pile of rocks. My layout is smaller than yours but I do love building my mountain style layout. I too spend a lot of time out there in the rocks taking pictures for refrence. Nice pictures by the way.
Cheers
Dennis
CDN Dennis
Modeling the HO scale something or other RR in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies Alberta, Canada
Hi Dennis
The best scenery in the world as far as I am concerned. I have mountain biked into places and planted my butt in places much like the one in Matthews photo and watched the trains and wildlife go by for hours.
Here is a link to matthews work. The shot above is my screensaver. I'll be back next summer for sure.
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296
A large dogbone gives you both single and double if you want and you determain how much double if any.
Hello,
thank you for all the replies. As a result I am keeping a scribble pad around, and am looking at the scenery more closely, depending on where I go. Two weeks ago my girlfriend and I went to Banff. The scenery was just stunning. CP put on a show as well :). The concept of layout planning by planning scenery as well as the track plan is also a great concept, too often the scenery is just a afterthought.
So back to doodeling, and love the pictures of the Stoney Creek bridge. Faller makes a similar looking bridge called the Bietschtal bridge.
Choices, choices. :)
Thank you.
davidmbedard Stoney creek bridge will require a scratch build to do it justice. David B
Stoney creek bridge will require a scratch build to do it justice.
David B
I started with the railroad I liked, the PC was too big, the LV was modelable but as I researched it I found it didn't have the traffic mix I wanted (coal trains) in the era I started in. I chose the RDG because it had the right size and traffic mix I wanted.
I then looked at what part. The coal regions would require too much staging, I looked at a couple different branches and settled on the W&N branch between Wilmington, DE and Reading, PA. Eventually I backdated the era to 1903 or so. That gave me what I wanted, freight trains, pasenger trains, coal trains, heavy industry (iron, steel, quarries, ship building, chemicals), rural areas, helper grades (if I wanted them) and a car ferry.
I started "seriously" modeling in the mid-1970's so it only took me about 25-30 years to find the right era, area and road.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Former Lawyer davidmbedard Stoney creek bridge will require a scratch build to do it justice. David B Maybe not, see: http://www.kevinknox.com/stoney%20creek.html
I have been following Kevins site for a while. Any idea on what the HO version will cost?
I only live a short drive from him, I guess I should give him a call at some point and go see it in person. I have the spot ready to go.
Since I'm not looking to exactly replicate some prototype track plan (which is another option - then it becomes a matter of what to compress and how to make it fit, the order of the tracks is already defined for you), first thing I have done (3 layouts now) is draw out the space accurately. Then I made some circles the size of my minimum radius (I use 3rd PlanIt CAD) and drug them around to see what would fit where. This gave me a pretty good idea of where turnbacks would be, and how much space would be left for aisles. Then the rest of the main was roughed in by connecting the circles. Then I go back and add in yards, industry sidings, and branches (which is currently where I am).
I don;t use my plans as an exact layout of where everything will go - I don;t print it full size then trace it on the benchwork. I use the plan to keep honest - not skimping on curves, or having a siding fit because I actually put in a #2 turnout instead of a #6. I'll locate key or critical elements and what goes between, if it deviates from the planned path, so be it. What I build comes out close, but not exact.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
BATMAN Former Lawyer davidmbedard Stoney creek bridge will require a scratch build to do it justice. David B Maybe not, see: http://www.kevinknox.com/stoney%20creek.html I have been following Kevins site for a while. Any idea on what the HO version will cost? I only live a short drive from him, I guess I should give him a call at some point and go see it in person. I have the spot ready to go.
I heard a vague rumour that it would be under $1,000 but I cannot recall where I heard this.