Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I have been modeling railroads off and on for 15 years. I am planning my 3 layout and plan to replace my current 4x8, this new layout is my most advanced to date. I'm looking for any advice, changes, etc. to this plan
Thanks,
Alex
http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=55783&d=1455329408
I don't think that anyone can open your track plan file as-is. You'll want to post it on an open photo-sharing service (such as Photobucket) so that others may view it.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Sorry tracksman, the link doesn't work. It comes back as "Forbidden".
We can't help with something we can't see....
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Worst comes to worst open your plan on your computer and do a Shift-PrtSc , open a paint program , hit Paste and save it and upload to site.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
Well I love a good mystery. Tracksman your posts are moderated for a while, it's frustrating not to be able to respond right away but we have to be protected from spammers selling us who know what. (not being facetious, we have a big problem with 1st time posters in another forum on another subject)
Anyway I am betting this is yours:
" This layout will be in a finished attic space, where I will have 13 x 14 feet available. I have designed the layout on a CAD program and plan to continue using KATO HO unit rack on a 12 x 11 feet layout. Table width is 30 in and overall table height will be short at about 30" due to sloped ceilings. I would prefer standing height but sitting height will have to do, to maximize layout size. I'm looking for ideas and thoughts on the layout that I may have missed."
If this is not you let me know an I will kill this post. There are a lot of S curves going on in your industrial area. That will be a problem with modern longer freight cars. I may be off in reading your scale but the turns look 18" or so.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Yes, this is take #1 that I posted on another forum for critique as I was and apparently still am having difficulty navigating the tricks to post on this forum. After some suggestions I have modified this plan as follows with the link below. I hope this link works. I look forward to your suggestions to improve the plan.
The turns are 22" I have a yard ladder on the lower left that has been suggested to straighten out and a jog in the main line on the right to also think about straightening out.
What do you think?
http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r636/alex_thompson6/Attic%20Layout%20Take%202%20pic_zpswm5hjkfo.jpg
If you're using Kato track, then you do have to mostly conform to the options available in the mfg's catalog. I'm guessing this might be what some are concerned with, but I suspect that's the units you have to work with.
I like it and with Kato track you can assemble, run it awhile and then make some mods if you want, all relatively easily presuming you're able to just do the modules flat, at least initially.
I do wonder about the purpose of the runaround inside the runaround on the right side.? I'd use the turnouts somewhere else, if it were me. Or maybe arrange a mid-siding crossover, which would aid switching the industries more than the short section there in the middle the way it's currently arranged.
Anyway, hope this helps.
BTW, a tip of the hat to Henry for helping Alex out.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Hi Alex.
I have a couple of suggestions. I hope I can describe them clearly.
First, you have an 'S' curve on the small module labelled 'Village Structures". I think you can smooth that out a bit by removing two of the curved track pieces and replacing them with straight track. I'll try to explain:
- On your second plan you have two red 'U's which I'm guessing represent tunnel openings. Take out the curved sections on either side of the 'U' on the right. That will leave one curved section in the track coming off the lift out. Next, remove one straight section on the left side of the lift out and move the curved section over to the right to connect to the remaining lift out track. If I'm right, that should allow you to put two straight sections in where the 'S' curve was.
Without having the program to work with I'm speculating that the track will fit. I might be wrong. Also, you will have to re-arrange your village scene but that shouldn't be difficult.
- Second, I would suggest flipping a turnout in the bottom of your yard from a right curve to a left curve. The turnout I am referring to is the second turnout from the bottom on the left hand side. The current setup results in an 'S' curve. If you flip the second turnout and eliminate the curved section attached to the first turnout on the lower left the problem is solved. If you look at the yard ladder at the top of the yard you have the turnouts arranged the same way I'm suggesting for the bottom of the yard.
Doing that will also make the third yard track from the left longer.
By the way, what track planning program are you using?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Me again:
I studied the right side of your plan where you said you wanted to eliminate the 'S' curves in the mainline. I think it's fairly easy to do.
If you only straighten the mainline you will have to make the dam (bridge?) wider so I'm going to make some suggestions about how to re-arrange the industrial spurs too so the dam can stay the way it is.
For reference I'll start with the first (right hand) turnout on the mainline on the top right of the plan. Take out the two curves below that turnout and replace them with straight sections. Do the same thing at the bottom mainline turnout. In order to keep the two spurs to the right of the mainline in the same place, take out the straight sections coming off the turnouts that lead to the spurs. That will result in 'S' curves leading into the spurs but you will be running at switching speeds through them so you can get away with it. Just don't use cars with truck mounted couplers.
Next, we need to re-arrange the spurs to the left of the mainline. Take out the two turnouts that are attached to the mainline turnouts and the curved sections after them. Then, flip the two turnouts so the the curved route leads to the mainline. You can run the spurs off of the straight routes. That will move the industrial feeder track to the right so that it will be the same distance from the mainline as it is now and the dam will be the same width. The other two spurs on the left will stay the same but they will move to the right a bit.
If my suggestions don't make sense let me know and I will use my track CAD program to draw up the plan.
MIke & Dave, Thanks loads for the suggestions. I'm working a long weekend but will get to a third revision with your suggestions. I'm looking to build the best layout I can once in the space I have! I will post as soon as possible.
btw the Track CAD program is: RailModeller Pro for Mac
On the left hand side: Your yard lead is a switch back, and it is not long enough to pull all of the cars from even the shortest track. I would re-consider this yard design.