BNSF UP and others modelerI have the MRR magazine with the salt lake route, will see if i can find any ideas.
They key idea there is switching to Nscale. I am almost certain that is why that layout was suggested.
Good news! Believe it or not, I can get everything I mentioned and want in ho scale, and I have started doing it! Want proof? I can post my layout plan and pictures of my progress if you don't believe me!
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
Hey BNSF, what did you decide to do with your layout? I'd love to see what you've done! Can you post pictures and/or layout drawing? Thanks!
I can do both!!!
1:18 scale plan:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1M3w8HTRBrrnqNaaZUHWp1BbM9xV9YrWI
1:12 scale plan:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XRTenHGxjLsKcuqchq1yztmY8DNu8_Xh
Current layout progress:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GTyHW52O3x3FCW29-PJef8qPxyzD4Ddr
To answer a few likely questions...
I model in HO. I am still open to track plan ideas. I only have a few things established. I know I would like a big yard, one that can accomodate trains longer than seven actual feet, and boy am I willing to sacrifice space for it. There will be a double track mainline, as you might be able to tell already from the two trains I have up. The PROBABLE location of the yard would be mostly in the left 3ft by 6 3/4ft section of the layout, but would start off the mainline farther up. I want it to have the full shebang: rip tracks, engine service tracks, main tracks, A/D tracks, etc. And caboose tracks if I can fit them... and I want all of it to be VERY realistic (notice I didn't say prototypical) and VERY operational.
There might be a helix (for future staging and second level), and the layout was designed to accomodate one...
I want industries popping off of the mainline at various places for even MORE operation. If I can do that prototypically. At least a stock yard/and or meat industry (if I have space) and a boxcar loading dock (wooden platform). Also, a decent sized tank car unloading platform/s to accomodate my tanktrain and other cars. Maybe a couple of tracks for my hoppers, gons, flats, etc.
Power would be very modern. Nice BNSF and UP engines. But since my layout is freelanced, I might decide to run some of their predecessor's equipment occasionally...
Said mainline trains would be an intermodal, a mixed freight bound for the yard, and a passenger train (I will have a long passenger station for that). And whatever else I feel like and can squeeze in.
Scenery will be NW United States. I dont really like winter scenery or fall scenery, and I can barely stand desert, hence my choice to model the NW, plus, that is where most of my favourite railroads ran.
I know it is impossible to fit everthing I want, but I listed it all so that yall can help me make the best choices. I am also sure that I missed something in that way to big chunk of information above (sorry about that) but oh well... Any help moving forward would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks for the reply BNSF! I'm not a layout designer so I'm not the best to comment. I will say that I am concerned about reach with your current setup. It appears that all of your layout buildings will be between the operator and the main lines. Thus you will need to reach over the buildings to clean track, realign cars, disconnect cars, etc. I personally prefer track on the front side with a short reach. Someone earlier mentioned Pelle's Daneville layout as an example (12 ft by 22 ft). It is a gorgeous layout where you want to step into the scene! It is a very realistic design and clearly shows how much space is required for a large yard and for switching industries with long rail cars. Based on your interests, you will need to downsize your expectations as you do not sufficient room to do them all. I like 1:1 designing by using HO track, really helps to see what can and cannot fit in a given space. Good luck with your layout!