Okay N-siders, what's the deal? (Plan Added)

[SpaceMouse]

Dog,

I know I can go back in time, but I'm trying to model the present, what my kid and I see when we take road trips to the mainline. That means NS--Dash 9s and SD45-2s. Now I know my radius rules out auto-racks and intermodals, but that doesn't mean that I can't do coal, boxes, tankers and covered hoppers.

[exPalaceDog]

Originial design

Revised design

In the revised design, the staging tracks appear to be single ended, that is going to make it harder to change between the various train. Could that be a problem?

Could the layout be mounted high enough to allow the fireplace mantel to be used for staging/display?

Could a drop down leaf be placed in front of the sliding door during operation and removed at other times?

Below is an item that would allow many more trains to be operated on the layout IF one could find the 4' needed plus the space for the approach curves.

http://www.ro-ro.net/

Have fun

 

 

[SpaceMouse]

Originial design

Revised design

In the revised design, the staging tracks appear to be single ended, that is going to make it harder to change between the various train. Could that be a problem?

Good questions, I'll take them one at a time. But first, let me state the purpose of this railroad. This railroad is not meant to be operated rather it is mean to be something moving that will keep me on track during my writing sessions. In that sense it might serve the same function as a lava lamp.

The reason for the stub staging is not to make staging easier or harder, but rather to confine the turnouts to being reachable.  I plan a 6" wide door behind the terrarium for access to the staging area. All staging will be is a place to store whole trains so that when I get tired of running an NS mixed freight I can switch to a B&P coal drag or a Penn Central corn syrup unit train. I won't do this very often.

An op session will consist of turning the knob on the Tech II and walking back to my desk.    

Could the layout be mounted high enough to allow the fireplace mantel to be used for staging/display?

Could a drop down leaf be placed in front of the sliding door during operation and removed at other times?

The layout will be enclosed into a piece of furniture. I have to maintain at least a little level of professionalism. The fireplace is adorned with art, both my wife's and other peoples. A drop down leaf would serve no function.  

Below is an item that would allow many more trains to be operated on the layout IF one could find the 4' needed plus the space for the approach curves.

http://www.ro-ro.net/

Have fun

LOL. That looks like my solution to staging for the PRR layout. Except my elevator looks conspicuously like an 0-5-0 switcher.

[exPalaceDog]

The layout will be enclosed into a piece of furniture. I have to maintain at least a little level of professionalism. The fireplace is adorned with art, both my wife's and other peoples. A drop down leaf would serve no function.  

That might not be a "bad" thing, the Old Dog has often thought that a layout should consist of series of "fish bowls" or "stages" seperated by lengths of "off stage" or "green room" track where trains can wait between appearances. Enclosing the layout will allow one to control the viewing angles and hence hide items such as overly sharp curves. It also will allow one to control the lighting, maybe allowing night operations. One might be able to place several sets allong the bottom of the back ground to control the sky color. Anybody for a fog generator?

Have fun

 

 

[armchair]

The layout will be enclosed into a piece of furniture. I have to maintain at least a little level of professionalism. The fireplace is adorned with art, both my wife's and other peoples. A drop down leaf would serve no function.  

That might not be a "bad" thing, the Old Dog has often thought that a layout should consist of series of "fish bowls" or "stages" seperated by lengths of "off stage" or "green room" track where trains can wait between appearances. Enclosing the layout will allow one to control the viewing angles and hence hide items such as overly sharp curves. It also will allow one to control the lighting, maybe allowing night operations. One might be able to place several sets allong the bottom of the back ground to control the sky color. Anybody for a fog generator?

Have fun

 

 

Say Whaaaaaaat?

[SpaceMouse]

Anybody for a fog generator?

You wouldn't be the first person to accuse me of that.