10x11 room layout

[Anonymous]

I have a 10x11ft room for my bed and a layout(the square that is 2x4ft is a closet)



And i have this layout planned so far plus (i couldn't put it on) some flex track going all they way around the room (with no other switchers planned but could put some) from the switches at the top of the track with nothing on them in pic.



and i plan to do like a mining or logging maby even shipping train.. heck if i have enough $$ i might do them all..any suggestion on the loco

anyone have any suggestions?[?]

p.s. everything is considered as an option so post with any ideas and thx in advance.
p.s.s.i will be using a zypher set and a DT400R to control this layout.[8D]

[Anonymous]

each square on the pic is a foot wide and long

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by computerwiz77
I plan to do like a mining or logging maby even shipping train.. heck if i have enough $$ i might do them all..any suggestion on the loco

I don't know what you mean by a "shipping" train?

A classic true "logging" railroad would have a very different locomotive from other types. Logging locomotives are generally geared like Shay and Climax. This is for going up and down steep grades and going around sharp curves on ricketty track. I believe Bachmann has a Spectrum version of both of these, that are getting rave reviews.

Mining could mean anything from a monster open pit copper mine to a single shaft coal mine. This means the locomotive could be anything from an 0-4-0 steamer to a modern 6000 hp diesel.

While there are many modern railroads owned by mines (The Magma and the Black Mesa in Arizona, Ely Nevada, Utah Railroad, etc.), in general when one thinks of logging and mining railroads they are talking about 1880-1912 time period. Generally the further you go back in time the less model equipment is available.

Concerning the layout. A classic turn of the century logging and/or mining railroad would never have a double track main line.

[twcenterprises]

If you're having to share the room between a bed and a layout, you probably could do an "around the walls" type design.

As for a locomotive, you could buy, say, an older type of switcher, maybe a NW2, SW600, SW9, or even a SW1 if you can find one, decorated for whatever RR suits your style. If you go for modern mining, you can simply paint out the roadname and put your mine's name on it instead, or maybe XYZ Leasing, or something. I wouldn't even change the number. This could be entirely realistic and prototypical, happens all the time with larger, older road units (and switchers, too, I'm sure, just haven't seen any lately).

The SW1's came out in the late 30's, and NS even has some on their roster today. The NW2's and some others listed came out in the 40's and early 50's and many are still going today. It is correct to use switchers either alone, or in sets or 2 or more, even mixed with road units on occasion.

If a switcher isn't your style, an F7 or F3 would be another good choice. Many were sold off to mining companies after their mainline careers had ended, and quite a few still run today. GP7's and GP9's also fit this role.

If you prefer steam, as Texas Zepher said, Shays and Climaxes could work for an old time logging or mining line, but most were retired by the 50's. There are still a few around, but mostly for tourist lines now. For a layout with 18" Curves, I would stick with shorter engines, such as 2-6-0, 2-8-0, 4-6-2, 2-8-2, or 2-10-0 wheel arrangements. IHC makes good steamers, Bachmann Spectrum made the 2-10-0 "Russian Decapod", which is a good smaller engine. I wouldn't go any larger than the 2-8-2 unless you install 22" or larger curves.

I'm lost myself on "shipping train". A bit more info and maybe we can properly identify what you mean?

As far as brands, here's a brief rundown:

Athearn - Good quality (usually), good prices. Great dollar value. Somewhat noisy.
Athearn Genesis - See Atlas, below.
Atlas - Excellent quality, quiet runners, somewhat expensive. Highly recommended.
Kato - Top of the line, including price tags. Very Highly Recommended.
Bachmann Spectrum - Just below Atlas/Kato. Above Athearn.
Lifelike Proto 2000 - See Spectrum.
Lifelike Proto 1000 - See Athearn.
Stewart - See Kato.
IHC - Steamers on par with Athearn, fair prices. Diesels, low quality, low prices.
Lifelike (non-Proto) - Poor quality, low prices.
Model Power - Poor quality, low prices.
Intermountain - See Kato.
BLI (Broadway Limited Imports) - see Kato.
Tyco - Out of Production, for good reason, they're usually junk.

Of course, these are my opinions, your mileage may vary. Other brands, feel free to ask, someone here has had one of (whatever), and can give proper feedback.

Brad

[Anonymous]

by shipping train i meant a bunch of box cars i might paint for a shipping/mailing company but i was just thinking of stuff i really want to do a flat cars load and mining loads

[nucat78]

A lot of people get bored with watching trains run in circles after awhile. It's great for a show where people come and go, but not if you intend to operate the layout for yourself. The exception can be where you only view a portion of the oval so it looks like a train is passing through a certain scene, much as you would experience while out railfanning the real thing.

I'd suggest putting the loop around the walls of the room with the yard located on the loop. You can get by with a shelf that's only 12 to 18 inches wide for most of it and supported with inexpensive shelf brackets if you use lightweight construction methods like foam. Put in removable leaf / bridge sections for the doors and I think you'll have something that will keep your interest for a long time.

If you use modular construction, you can even swap out or change "chunks" as your tastes change and / or skills improve. Plus you won't have to move your bed out [:p]

[conrail92]

QUOTE: y shipping train i meant a bunch of box cars i might paint for a shipping/mailing company but i was just thinking of stuff i really want to do a flat cars load and mining loads

well you could make an intermodal yard and you could have an intermodal train you could mix your need of the box shipping and flat cars and intermodal are alway interesting to have a bit pricy but a nice feature

[Anonymous]

thx illl do that

any other suggestions? plenty of room

[jbloch]

Wiz77:

You don't mention which guage you'll be modeling. If it's HO, then you're going to have pretty tight curves (about 18 inch radius on your outer loop, even less on the inner one)--just something to keep in mind, as this could limit some of your locos and rolling stock. Broad curves are a higher priority on my planned layout--but otherwise I like your setup. I plan on a double-loop also, but instead plan on putting the spurs/yards inside the loops (See Lynn Wescott's 101 track plans plan # 39 which I plan on doing with some modifications).

Jim

[Anonymous]

i meant to change the curvers to 18 and 22 radius it is 18 and 15 right now i will use 22 for sure and i MIGHT take off the inner loop i have till a long time to plan it

[Anonymous]

anyone else have a good one?

[fsm1000]

Watch out for 'over reach', don't have duckunders [especially at my age] and have fun.
A two lever 'y' shape may work a s well. A point to point around the walls horseshoe shaped. Just a thought.
Stephen

[martin990099]

Maybe you can do a around the room/walls double mainline with not too many turnouts. This will let you run long trains and also let you focus on scenery that your be on a 1' wide shelf.

It can connect from the outer loop to the end of the bottom right rail line.
[;)]