16' by 27' layout issue.

Rick,

Start by doing two things. First, draw out your space. Indicate where any doors, windows, machinery, automobiles, etc. may be, and label with measurements. Post the floor plan here so that we can get a better understanding of the area you are working with.

Second, doodle out a rough sketch of what you have in mind. Indicate where you would like the mill to go, how many sidings, runarounds, etc. Make your drawing independent from the floor plan.

Based on the floor plan, we can then look at the track plan and make any changes needed to make it fit into the space.

Stewart,

The loop is cut and dry at 60-66' high and no more than 16" deep around the room. The Mill will be along two walls (any two will do) at what is a comfortable sitting height of 30". My question: is the idea of using rolling stools or maybe even chairs from which to operate the mill layout doable?

Thanks,

Rick.

OR....

Would it be better to have the mill at 44" and the loop pass through the mill scene on a bridge as if part of the overall mill environment?

Rick.

 I don't understand the issue here but I have the following comment. This is probably just a problem for me but I would always try very hard to be able to reverse direction on a loop of track(s) without backing movements. For me watching trains move in one direction gets old. For you it may not be a problem. As to height my layouts upper level is 60" off the ground and I like it because I like to watch my trains at eye level or close. 

As Stewart says, the first step is to draw out your space. I would like to suggest that you can use SCARM to draw out not just track plans, but to represent your entire building floorplan and help brainstorm how you multi-task the space.

Here is a quicky representation of a 16' x 27' building space with features as noted. This is an example of how you can draw with SCARM. But we are just shooting in the dark until you draw out your actual building space with positions of doors and windows.

Click on the image for a larger and more legible image.

Ace,

I have used SCARM and really enjoy it, but I can not find the icon for floor plans, windows, doors etc.

Is there a tutorial of sorts for this?

Rick.

Rick;

Just draw rectangles with a thickness of 0.001" and drag them where you want them. Color key to show what is benchwork, doors, windows, ect.

Yes, that's exactly what I did in the example. From the drop-down box where you select the track libraries, go down to "Figures" then select "Rectangles". Default thickness "0" may work the same.

If you want to get really clever you can specify heights and thicknesses of the different rectangles to create 3-D images. Walls can be represented as very tall, very thin rectangles. But for starters it will be easier to draw out a basic floor plan with everything at nominal 0" elevation.

OK Ace,

I have been "doodling" in SCARM.

This is a 9' by 16' room idea just for kicks and giggles. A One Turnout Steel Mill Switching Layout.

Rick.