I'd change it to put the outside 2 tracks closer together and remvoe the inside track.. Add sidings so that you have industries to drop off and pick up freight cars. Having 3 mains like shown with no purpose will get boring very fast.
Springfield PA
Hi, Jaddie, and welcome to the asylum. I don't know much about layout design, but as far as the bridges go, you might want to go more with an open design, like a trestle or a deck girder. No sides to worry about.
Also, that layout height sounds difficult to work with. Maybe a bit higher with some built-in steps for the lad? Don't know if this is your first (kid, not layout) or not, but they grow pretty darn fast and I can't imagine the hassle of trying to raise a layout for when he is 5-years-old.
Sean
HO Scale CSX Modeler
Dear Friends
I'm planning to build my nearly-three-year-old son an HO-scale layout soon, and image of which is attached. The inside of the layout will be open.
Originally, I planned to build an O-scale layout, but because of cost and space, I changed my plan to HO scale.
I don't know much about trains aside from the fact that my son loves them. He has over a hundred Thomas-related characters, several tracks, and the O-gauge Thomas starter oval from Lionel.
I spend most of my time on computers and am not handy, but I'm willing to learn.
I understand that shelf layouts are highly recommended, but my son needs loops right now, and I want to build him a layout that's a good compromise between ease and speed of construction and fun operation.
I plan to start with MTH DCS-equipped locomotives, probably a couple of diesels that operate on 18" curves. But I want to build the track with curves wide enough to accommodate most passenger coaches, so I opted for 30- (Super-Flex, which requires cutting and soldering), 24-, and 22-inch curves.
I plan to build a tunnel using geodesic foam in one of the corners.
I hope I can implement a hinged liftgate so I can get into the layout with my son to play with him. The layout probably won't be but 24-30 inches high, making it difficult to duck under or climb over--at least for me. With a liftgate wouldn't I have to create three sections of equidistant straights for this design?
I opted for Atlas's 18" truss-style bridges and want to know if they're wide enough to allow long passenger coaches to turn upon exit. If not, I suppose I'll need to figure out how to build the layout with 12- to 18-inch straights entering and exiting the bridges.
The design is, of course, simple ovals, but I positioned the bridges to create a little more visual interest.
I realize the design is pitifully boring, but I don't know what else to do to stay within this space and have something my toddler can operate. I hope to compensate for the tedium of the design by tiering the lines and installing a few buildings. I plan to use some type of ground cover, too, such as Woodland Scenics turf. I'd love to include some type of operating accessory, but I haven't seen any of those in HO scale yet. I may try to carve out a waterway of some sort if I'm not frustrated and exhausted by the time I get to that point.
To summarize, here are my questions:
I live in Buford, Georgia, which is located approximately thirty-five miles north of Atlanta. I'd love to make a few friends in this hobby.
--Jaddie