Vote Your Favorite--Garage Layout Design Contest

[SpaceMouse]

The job is not so tough this time as there are only 5 entries. Just pick your favorite from the bunch, come back and tell us. Well, maybe it won't be so easy. Each has it's merits and picking just might be a matter of what fits your style best.

If you want, tell us the why or why not.

Garage Layout Contest 

 

[loathar]

Chessie & Atlantic.

I love the two 3 point turn arounds.

[steinjr]

 Pigeon Point. For a number of reasons:

 - it has a purpose (junction mainline/branchline w/small yard for reblocking trains)

 - adequate staging - mainline has double ended staging, branch line ends in carfloat

 - good idea to use elevated mainline to break layout into yard and branch scene on left

 - good idea to use a vertical lift bridge on high line across aisle, to make duckunder less severe

 - yard is well executed, one operator classifying cars, one handling arrival/departure

 - most industries are of a size that seems large enough to need frequent switching, and has multiple tracks/car spots

 Well done! I would have loved to have a chance to run trains on this one.

 Other three four layouts was also well done, but this one was especially spot on for my taste.

 Smile,
 Stein

 

[Tjsingle]

 Pigeon Point. For a number of reasons:

 - it has a purpose (junction mainline/branchline w/small yard for reblocking trains)

 - adequate staging - mainline has double ended staging, branch line ends in carfloat

 - good idea to use elevated mainline to break layout into yard and branch scene on left

 - good idea to use a vertical lift bridge on high line across aisle, to make duckunder less severe

 - yard is well executed, one operator classifying cars, one handling arrival/departure

 - most industries are of a size that seems large enough to need frequent switching, and has multiple tracks/car spots

 Well done! I would have loved to have a chance to run trains on this one.

 Other three layouts was also well done, but this one was especially spot on for my taste.

 Smile,
 Stein

 

I like Piegon Point for the same reasons also.

 

[IRONROOSTER]

Borracho Springs Railway.  I like that you can do G in the garage and that it left plenty of space for operators.

Enjoy

Paul 

[SpaceMouse]

I missed an entry. You can change vote if you want.

[Texas Zepher]

I still don't see the fifth layout.

[gmcrail]

Chip, I gotta go with Pigeon Point, for all the reasons put forth above -you can actually DO something with it!  Whose-ever it is, Good Work!

[SpaceMouse]

I still don't see the fifth layout.

 Ooops. Okay there it is.

 

FWIW: I pick Pigeon Point as well.

[tomikawaTT]

The envelopes, please ---

1. Borracho Springs.  I have a soft spot in my head for mine tramways, narrow gauge and the whole 'little railroad' thing.  Plus, you can't beat the heft of large-scale equipment.  Extra points for the free-form fascia line.
2. Pigeon Point.  I like the whole, 'Main line/branch line,' concept, where the action is mainly on the branch.  (My own layout resembles that.)
3. Chesapeake and Atlantic.  Good ideas, but TIGHT!  This might work better in N scale.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and to Chip for putting it all together so we could see and appreciate the entries.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[markpierce]

I apologize, at front, for being a sourpuss.

Strangely, Mouse's first and second layout competitions. with very limited physical constraints, resulted in several contestant designs that seemed believable, that is, some of the designs, when built, could portray a realistic scene.

In contrast, the later as well as the concurrent contests which provided much liberal space limitations, resulted in layout designs that looked like train layouts rather than believable, realistic scenes.

Anyway, that's why I haven't provided any specific comments on the last contests.

Let me tell you that I have struggled for several years to design a bedroom-sized layout.  Most of the effort has been to eliminate the "model layout" appearance.  One of these days I might meet expectations.

Mark

[steinjr]

In contrast, the later as well as the concurrent contests which provided much liberal space limitations, resulted in layout designs that looked like train layouts rather than believable, realistic scenes.

Anyway, that's why I haven't provided any specific comments on the last contests.

 Hi Mark --

 I see no need for you to apologize for stating your opinion.

 While I don't have a layout in this contest myself, and it is not a given that the main design objectives for all designers are prototype realism, I suspect that the more specific a critique is, the easier it would be for the various designers to use the provided feedback in a constructive way. 

 Why not pick one or two specific examples of scenes/scene parts from one or more of these 5 layouts, and point why you find these particular specific scenes/scene parts unrealistic?

 Anyways - same goes for everybody else - I am sure the thread is open to comments, votes and advice for the contest participants. Being able to comment on an ongoing thread is one of the great strengths of online forums.

 Smile,
 Stein

 

[PA&ERR]

My vote is for the Pidgeon Point.

I grew up not far from Wilmington and have railfanned extensively in the SE PA and N Delaware area represented by the layout. I appreciate what the author/designer is trying to do and he seems to have captured the feeling of the area rather well.

Of course, it will be rather interesting trying to switch the main yard behind (and lower than) the elevated mainline tracks...

George

[CSX_road_slug]

Pigeon Point is my hands-down favorite also, for the same reasons that previous posters have mentioned.  The only drawback I notice is that, with those 18" radius curves, you couldn't reliably run anything longer than 50' freight cars - you would be restricted to modeling the transition era or earlier.

[odave]

Another Pidgeon Point vote here.

Of course, it will be rather interesting trying to switch the main yard behind (and lower than) the elevated mainline tracks...

I assume the yard would be accessed from the other garage bay aisleway called out in the contest specs.  This would make the staging yard harder to access, which I think would be an OK tradeoff.

[Texas Zepher]

First the Comments:

1. Sunset Route 101 - I really like the concept.  Goes a long way for a place to show off a train and let it actually be seen all at once.  I think it could have be executed better.   Most importantly there is no place to "park" the GS4 & Daylight out of sight unless one is going to break it down and fill up the whole staging yard with it.   Speaking of the staging yard it is inconsistant with the design of the layout.  A layout like this needs long staging tracks so that long trains can be held there until their turn to parade through the scenery.  If the staging is for local short trains, there is only one place to go to.   It is really a single simultaniously running train operation.  I mean one can bring a train out of staging, stop it on the siding, and then bring another out of staging to "pass" or "overtake" it - but that is about all the two train action there is.   Santa Barbara could use a house track at the station. 

2. Chesapeak & Atlantic - Lots of really interesting trackwork and configurations.   At first glance of the track plan, I thought it was representing a short line or busy logging/mining railroad. The equilateral and looping sissor wyes seem to me (by no means an expert) to be inconsitant with a "link road" between class ones like the B&O.  Especially a major coal hauler.  On the other hand, the car float and coal dock area came off very well for a layout of this size.   The twice around concept is pulled off quite nicely.  I can easily see this keeping 3 maybe 4 people busy.   The killer here (for my vote at least) is the size.  I thought it looked a bit large and sure enough it says it is 24' instead of 20'.

3. Borracho Springs Railway - Very well thought out and executed.  The use of grades and tunnels disguise the "loop".  I don't like that I have to "back" into the station at Heckawee.  I think I would have added just a bit more track at the south yard to use the extra foot of space.  Not expanding the yard or any industries - just the loop itself.  That tiny bit more might really add to the "looks" at that end by increasing the separation of the Dynamite mine from the town.

4.  Pigeon Point Branch - I see two independent and continuous loops (one through the yard) and one around the main area of the layout.  The mainline loop W/branch configuration is a great concept for this size of a space.   I agree with the others that the yard is a good design, except the "S"es in the southern ladder, but I do think it is overdone size wise. I think I would reduce it by at least one track and make some of the tracks single ended.  This adds back capacity at the expense of being able to use every track for an AD.  As is, were it not for the scenic dividers it would dominate the space.   That leads directly to my first concern of how close the track are just to the right of the yard.  That many tracks AND dividers that close together will be a nightmare for both construction and maintenance.  Other things:  The Interchange yard at G doesn't look like it is interchanging with anyone unless the E & F industrial area is supposed to represent another railroad?  The Team tracks at N are way too close together.  There is no place to get a "team" into, especially the center track.  I think if the center track was removed it would look alot more teamy.  I don't like the huge sweeping curve across the top that crosses the bridge and then goes onto a very tight curve (especially since it is on viaduct).  Seems it would be better to sharpen the curve on the left and ease the curve on the right.

5. West Virginia Southern - The mainline w/branch concept again.  Looking at just the track plan I would have guessed it was for modern monster equipment.  I envision just row after row of hopper cars with one train moving through them.  For a 1950's 1960's layout I would have thought one could have gotten a bit more or at least more interesting track configurations worked in to a space this size.

My vote :
1. Borrancho
2. Pigeon
3. Sunset

[stokesda]

 Pigeon Point. For a number of reasons:

 - it has a purpose (junction mainline/branchline w/small yard for reblocking trains)

 - adequate staging - mainline has double ended staging, branch line ends in carfloat

 - good idea to use elevated mainline to break layout into yard and branch scene on left

 - good idea to use a vertical lift bridge on high line across aisle, to make duckunder less severe

 - yard is well executed, one operator classifying cars, one handling arrival/departure

 - most industries are of a size that seems large enough to need frequent switching, and has multiple tracks/car spots

 Well done! I would have loved to have a chance to run trains on this one.

 Other three layouts was also well done, but this one was especially spot on for my taste.

 Smile,
 Stein

 

I like Piegon Point for the same reasons also.

 

Ditto on all of the above. Count me in for Pigeon Point as well. Good use of staging, lots of opportunities for switching... I love it.

I did notice the large peninsula on the left side with the main staging yard is 4+ feet wide - I assume this isn't against the wall and you have free access to both sides of this peninsula.

[sfrr]

I will be going with Pigeon Point Branch because of the shear amount of industry and pretty good holding space, seems like it would be good for operations.

Mike

[stebbycentral]

I think we may have a "weiner".  I am also attracted to Pigeon Point, though I wonder how much of it is due to presentation as much as to the design.  Love the little train cars, who's software is that anyway? 

I give second place to the Boraccho Lines, though having dabbled in G-Scale myself IMHO a lot of those sidings are awful short.  I would relocate the turnouts at the DinahMight and Lucky #12 mines in order to lenghten those sidings.  And I would definitely stretch out Agony Point curve by a couple of sections of straight track.

[MisterBeasley]

Another vote for Pigeon Point.

I think the ferry is a great feature, and placed out at the end of a spit of land like that, it becomes a nice self-contained operation.

Staging is included, and being on the same level it's easily accessible.

Industries are planned and in-place, scattered, well thought out, and arranged so that operating them is interesting.

1, 2 or 3 operators could have a great time running this layout.

[rolleiman]

Borracho Springs Railway

 

Just because I like the idea of the indoor G scale layout. 

[JimRCGMO]

I'd go with Pigeon Point, for a lot of the same reasons Stein gave.

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[steinjr]

 Thus far, 17 posters have voted, and the trend seems pretty clear: the majority of votes so far (12 out of 17) has been cast in favor of the layout named "Pigeon Point Branch". "Borracho Springs Railway" is currently no 2, with 4 out of 17 votes.

 Guess it is time for posters who prefer one of the other layouts to Pigeon Point to step up to the plate and vote. 

 No matter which of the five layouts you vote for, I am also fairly sure that all designers will welcome further constructive comments and suggestions on the layouts.

 Voting remains open until Chip is back from his vacation, in about two week's time.

 I'm also headed away from the net for a week or so - heading from my in-law's house in the Twin Cities for a week on the lakes of northern Minnesota, so I won't be pestering people continuously to "vote early and vote often" this time around .

 I will check the group again in about a week and post a summary of the status then.

 Grin,
 Stein

 

[snagletooth]

 Aaah...WOW, this IS hard...uuuhhmmm...the uh..., no...ah that one....... decisions, decisions......................................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  The Chesapeake and Atlanta, my favorite. Although the runoff at the top of second level, A, seems not right. I'm assuming (insert Benny Hill line here)that it leads to some kind of off-staging or hidden lead for a run-around. If not, then that siding needs to be shortend to allow run-around.  

[C&O Fan]

I liked them all for different reasons of course

I think Chip has this one right when he says

"Each has it's merits and picking just might be a matter of what fits your style best."

[wmshay06]

In this order:

Borracho Springs Railway
Chesapeake & Atlantic Railroad
West Virginian Southern

 

 

[last mountain & eastern hogger]

Thanks Chip and Stien for all your work.

My three choices are:

(1)  Cheapeake and Atlantic

(2)  Sunset Route

(3)  Pigeon Point  Br.

Enough said above.

Johnboy out.............

[Texas Zepher]

The Chesapeake and Atlanta, my favorite. Although the runoff at the top of second level, A, seems not right. I'm assuming (insert Benny Hill line here)that it leads to some kind of off-staging or hidden lead for a run-around. If not, then that siding needs to be shortend to allow run-around.

I had that same issue until I realized the second level is actually over the bottom part of the layout and flipped, not over the top next to where it is shown.  It made a lot more sense then.

[CMucha]

Mine would have to be pigeon point because of how it just looks fun to operate on!

[Packers#1]

Pigeon Point Branch.

It has a big yard, an engine terminal, plenty of industries, and continous run.