opinions, tips or anything really valued here for my layout!!!

[streettrains]

Now I know I have asked plenty of questions of this & that. Well here comes another one, but I think this is a big one for me & might help me eliminate some things for & about my layout.

1. layout benchwork is done, but scrapped track plan. (Don't know if I am trying to make the PERFECT plan) Want to do switching/continous plan. Having trouble relating to it on paper. Just thinking of drawing on the benchwork & go from there.

2. was going to go with foam on plywood. Went back & forth about it and after last night downstairs looking at the layout. I just pictured trouble with it & got a bad feeling. SO I think I will stick with the plywood pacific!! Still think I can do great scenery on it.

3. Going DCC, is there a time to start it with the layout or wait until most of the trackwork is done?

4. Is going with a simple plan better than trying to make the master of all master plans? I want to have great sceney & not have trains overtake the whole layout.

Well that is what I thought about at work today.. but more may pop into my head!![^]

need input/advice/ anything!!!!


Mike

[Bikerdad]

1) Should work, but might take a lot of paper/crayons. I'd suggest that you doodle out your trackplan multiple times, then draw it out on the benchwork. What might be even better is to make paper templates of the switches and "place" them on the benchwork as you're drawing it out.

2) You can do great scenery on plywood. The only part that's more challenging is going "below grade", but folks have been doing it for decades, so you shouldn't have any trouble with it if your plan heads in that direction.

3) Unless you're going to be using DCC for signaling also, then whether you implement it now or after the track is down doesn't matter. (May not even matter then!) When the choice impacts during layout construction is during the electrical. Its best to have the issue settled in your mind, and plan, by then.

4) Simple plan is better to start with, especially if scenery is a high priority. Given that it is, I hope you're going with N scale, the King of Scales for scenery. (Okay, Z is actually better, if you're prepared for the dearth of commercially available products).

[streettrains]

I haven't even looked into DCC signaling, think that might be above my head!!

I am doing HO, the layout size is 15 X 23 along the wall, walk in with a lift up bridge..

I think the plywood scenery will not pose a problem...

I think once I start laying template & stuff on the plywood, things I am hoping will fall into place,,,

[NZRMac]

Have a look at Rex's layout it's all on ply

http://www.railimages.com/gallery/rexheacock

You don't need to lay track differently for DCC unless you have a huge layout with power districts and or signalling.

My layout is just one big loop with the exception of the reverse loops.


Ken.

[Anonymous]

I think you should purchase your DCC system early so that you can take the time to get to know it well and find out the problems as they occur arther than having to search a whole big layout to find the problem. You may have wires crossed or soldered opposite and when you hook up the System it may not work and you will not know where to begine the search. So get your system early. Use cork roadbed because it runs much quieter and better than foam from woodland scenics. It provides a much quieter run than just track over plywood.

[Bikerdad]

Awwww, c'mon GFR, why would you want to muck around with Horribly Oversized if scenery's the thing? [;)] Give the Natural Scale a shot. [:p]

Given the approach you're taking (no matter the scale), I would suggest that you also make some minimum radius templates to use when futzing around determing your trackplan. Doing so will help avoid fudging a curve in too tight. What your minimum should be depends on three factors: the scale you choose, the type of rolling stock you plan on running, and "what looks good" to you. #1 and #2 above are fairly inflexible, #3 always falls under the "bigger is better" rule, limited only by space available.

[eng22]

After debating for a year and a half I went with the following approach: Ready, Fire, Aim! Once I started, I have not looked back, love it!

[streettrains]

AIM! READY! finger on the trigger....... set to fire......

What is involved with signaling?

my minimum radius is 28"
rolling stock will from a few era's,

going with the fun to watch & operate railroad

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GrandFunkRailroad

AIM! READY! finger on the trigger....... set to fire......

What is involved with signaling?

my minimum radius is 28"
rolling stock will from a few era's,

going with the fun to watch & operate railroad

Don't get ahead of your self. I was DC Cab Control long before I went DCC. As long as you have room to crawl under the layout you can always retro-fit items later.

DCC is a very simple install and will wire directly into any layout.

The MESS is a composite method of construction; plywood, foam and spline. each has an advantage, each has a disadvantage. If on the Flat, no need for spline. Foam allows you to carve out rivers and gullies. Plywood is firm and robust. I also use a wrapping paper/paper mache method scenery.

If I could do it all over again I'd go with spline. Then again I like being difficult.

28" Minimum radius, Oh how I envy you!! remember to allow for easy access or you'll be sorry!

If you still don't like your layout try doodling. It works.

Good Luck
Fergie

[streettrains]

Been doodling & doodling... on the couch.... in the bathroom..

bought a few track plan books, keep wondering if the book I need is the book I don't have yet...!!!!

anyone know of any? cuz I would order it right NOW!!!!!!!
can't go to the hobby shop.. *** snowstorm....!!!!!!!

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by GrandFunkRailroad

Been doodling & doodling... on the couch.... in the bathroom..

bought a few track plan books, keep wondering if the book I need is the book I don't have yet...!!!!

anyone know of any? cuz I would order it right NOW!!!!!!!
can't go to the hobby shop.. *** snowstorm....!!!!!!!

I know, I know! It's coming our way[:(!]

I think what your problem is that you've over complicated it.

Have you tried to figure out what you want? i.e.; mines, logging, industrial, roundhouse, turntable, freight yard, staging, hidden staging, hills, dales, rivers, gullies, lakes ponds, etc,etc,etc.

If not work on that first. Don't try and shove everything into it! If you have the space you can always expand later.

Once you know what you want then you can start doing your placement and the layout will evolve from there as you will realize where to put the spurs and sidings.

Do you have a trusted Non "A" type rivet counting MR'ng friend? If you do, bring him over for a sit down and mull it over.

I've been down this road and from here I sit I think you've over loaded yourself and need some down time or if you have a section that you definately want to incorporate then start on that and the rest will evolve.

Rome wasn't built in a day and mistakes only take a minute.

Chill dude it will all come together

Fergie

[streettrains]

*** Fergie!!! you hit the nail on the head. .....Dude!!!!!!!

I have a starting point and have been slowly working on that.... and you are right
DON"T RUSH!!
& I am OVERLOADED!!!!

in my mind ( what is left of it.) I would like to have a small race track on the layout,,( NASCAR)... but that is not the section I am starting at!!!!

Working on the town of Canaan CT.... HQ of the Housatonic,,, try to do their yard and go right into the town.. where there is a nice diamond crossing...

[Fergmiester]

Your race track will consume a lot of realestate. May I make a suggestion?

If you were to make a half oval against the wall with a mirror you would have complete oval. As far as duplication just paint your cars different colours/numbers on opposite sides. But rember to paint the numbers "backwards" on the side facing the mirror.

There was an article a couple of years ago in MR, where the modeller had two industries for each "spot" so you could mix things up depending on your mood.

For me I have certain things I want

Roundhouse
Turntable
Coal Mine
Iron Ore Mine
Coal Dock
Lake, rivers, waterfalls
Lots of bridges (nine and counting)
Small town
Scout Camp
Three Stations
Fall colours
and the list goes on

Fergie

[streettrains]

Fergie..

working on my list!!!
just went to your webshots...
how big is your layout?
cuz your track plan almost looks like part of moiine.. well I should say the benchwork!!!

Great job!!!

[Fergmiester]

Over all deminsions are 10 x 24 at present but I will be expanding over the next 20 or so years

[streettrains]

cool.... then nevermind the email!!!!! I sent.....

My big length is 23 feet along the back wall
right side along the is about 15
then the left side goes down about 10 feet around a pipe on an angle the shoots the right to about 15 feet... thereis about 2 foot space or so between the two sides there, which i am going to put in a lift up bridge,,,

from that lift up area youcan walk in to a 3' wide to about a 18' area to look

[Anonymous]

I know the feeling of trying to put a layout on paper, I am having the same problem.
but the crystal canyon rr is unique, and powered strictly by steam.

[Anonymous]

I would say the solution to future expansion would be to install power busses under the layout from the start - this will allow you to add DCC accessories (such as switch decoders, signals, etc) with very little upheaval. The one thing I'm not sure of is whether it's ok to power and control switch decoders from the same bus as your track? I'd be a little worried about voltage drop doing this though I've not tried it. Hope this is of some use!

[JohnT14808]

FERGIE!!! I like your forest fire highway sign!! Cool photos of your work. One of these days the planning will be over and the work will begin.....