13x36 Layout design

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Chuck

Hey Chuck I hope this helps.  How I said I am new to the train world but my 5 year old is crazy about them.  There is a local train club and they know me by Asher's dad that's why it's my profile name on here.  He loves anything to do with trains but loves Union Pacific.  So I'm thinking more industry vs residential but I probably have enough room for both.  My whole room is 13'x 50 but I haven't giving up the whole room to him yet haha.

Start small, make lots of mistakes, and learn from them.

This is what I have done on scarm so far.  I would like to be able to run at least 3 trains at once. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

If you actually post your ".scarm" file here, somebody may be willing to play around with it for you. 

Don't post it until you fix these problems, though.  Your larger radius mainline is obviously a  reversing loop-to-loop with a yard offshoot.  Your smaller radius mainline looks like a loop-to-oval from which no train can escape.  If you put another wye track formation at the bottom of the oval, then trains can return to the loop at the other end.

Next, your smaller radius mainline never connects to the larger radius mainline (that I can see), so how will those trains enter and exit the yard?  Or, do you plan a separate yard for the smaller radius mainline?

Finally, your yard would be more accessible if you put a wye into that corner from your wide radius curve over there.  Then, trains could leave in either direction.  You should also have at least two passing tracks on each mainline, permitting multiple trains to run in either direction, and you should have at least one passing track in the yard to allow your engines to escape from their trains after entering the yard.

Chuck

Thanks again @PRR1950. I will get back on scarm to change some things around and also try and upload the file when I’ve done the changes. 

Here is one that is close in size to give you some ideas.  This was my original plan.  I have deviated from it a little bit but did not update the drawing to match.  It might give you some ideas.  It is an around the room layout with a center island.  We enter through the lift bridge and walk around on the inside.   Feel free to PM me if you want real pics or have more discussion.  All curves are O-72 and O-80.

Ron

My space is 28' by 14'.  This is the closest that I have to"As-Built".

Jan

Scott,

I was thinking about something to get you and your son up an running with an eye towards expansion. Starting with something smaller will provide the experience needed for a large layout. Lots of small things to learn about before tackling a monster.

I felt that building 2' x 4' sections would provide for future rearrangement. 11 are needed. More can be built for expansion.

This arrangement uses all O36 curves, 10" straights, a few 5" and 4.5".

Long enough of a run to have some fun. Room to add switches for sidings. 

What do think?

Right-click and save as on the SCARM file to download it and open. Select the 3D button and rotate the mouse. Select TOOLS on the Menu bar and then select Parts List for track inventory.

Asher's Dad posted:

This is what I have done on scarm so far.  I would like to be able to run at least 3 trains at once. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

This is a great layout, but in the lower right corner, that 45 degree diamond crossing sits right on top of the switch that creates the inner loop. Nothing Lionel makes will permit that in the real world.

That said, you could still create two loops at that end, by placing a diamond and a switch back-to-back. Also, if possible, you might want a wider radius curve on the inside of that loop, which will make it look more realistic.

Finally, at the end of the inner track, I would ad a pair of switches to the top of that v-shaped formation, and at the very end, a switch to connect to the outer track.

Your yard is great, but the tracks should all end at the same point.