20 x 19 Layout ideas

Lshark,

Thanks for the kind words- it would have been nice to use the whole room, but it's better to have an around the walls layout than nothing at all. My wife wanted me to do a shelf layout about 7' off the ground, but I knew I wanted to see my trains at a much lower viewing height.

Geno

That layout design is done with fastrack 0-84 outside curve and o-72 inside curve. I like the layout myself but would probably do it in atlas and ross switches.

72blackbird posted:

Lshark,

Thanks for the kind words- it would have been nice to use the whole room, but it's better to have an around the walls layout than nothing at all. My wife wanted me to do a shelf layout about 7' off the ground, but I knew I wanted to see my trains at a much lower viewing height.

Geno

We have to keep our hobby wife approved.  Happy wife...

Michael Pellegrino posted:

That layout design is done with fastrack 0-84 outside curve and o-72 inside curve. I like the layout myself but would probably do it in atlas and ross switches.

Oh, it's fastrack?  I am using Gargraves.  I'd like to use Ross switches, but we will see what the budget allows once building begins.  I've read new favorable reviews on Gargraves switches, but I like the variety offered by Ross.

72blackbird posted:

Lshark,

Thanks for the kind words- it would have been nice to use the whole room, but it's better to have an around the walls layout than nothing at all. My wife wanted me to do a shelf layout about 7' off the ground, but I knew I wanted to see my trains at a much lower viewing height.

Geno

We have to keep our hobby wife approved.  Happy wife...

lshark21 posted:

I just found out that we will be moving into a new house.  My inlaws are downsizing and want the house to stay in the family.  I am super fired up over this since the house fits out family better...and...there is a building on the property that is currently a gym.  My wife already told me that I can use it for a layout!  

 

The space I want to use for the layout would be 20 x 19.  I have never built a layout of this size and would like to get some ideas from the forum.  I have Scarm, but have not mastered it yet.

 

I would like to model the late 1940 - early 1950s southwest PA region.  Multiple levels, coal mining, yard, and an engine servicing area are musts.  072 minimum radius, but think I want to go 080 and larger.  Track will be Gargraves with Ross switches.

 

Let's see some ideas!  Attached is a layout I ran across a while back that I really liked.  I cannot remember where I found it...possibly here.

 

 

 

Hi lshark21,

That's jmiller320's layout. Here's a video he posted of a run around during construction. he kept his tables narrow except for the loops. See if you like it running.

What are the room dimensions? It looks like you want to fit it in the right side.

My only comment on jmiller320's plan is that the yard spurs need to be longer if you want to stage complete trains. 4 x 10 is needed for a reasonable operational yard to cut and build trains.   There is space to add engine service, but a turntable/roundhouse will require more layout table. Another 4 x 6/8 area for that.

I also agree that a spur or two would give the train something to do. Coal mine to delivery area.

You could use that plan as a concept and develop your own plan from it. Attached is a quick read to help you determine what will keep you happy with your layout.

Thanks Carl, I followed your link to the track plan and video.   Good ideas here, thanks for that.

LSHARK21

You can probably do that layout with Ross track with Ross Switches. Ross now makes an 0-84 curve. The straight track might be the probably with Ross though 3" 10" 14" 29".  I am not sure if gargraves makes an 0-84 curve or what sizes they have in straight.

Mike

Our layout is 26x17, and you will be surprised how fast space gets eaten up when you start putting curves in. The engine facility will eat up any and all space you think you have left. Our turntable and roundhouse take up an 8'x8' alone, and that don't count the lead tracks into the TT.

Go with the biggest curves you can fit, don't cram track into every bit of space you have so you can leave room for scenry, and put a few different track plans together as options.

Check out my YouTube videos for layout progress under screen name - Laidoffsick

Laidoffsick posted:

Our layout is 26x17, and you will be surprised how fast space gets eaten up when you start putting curves in. The engine facility will eat up any and all space you think you have left. Our turntable and roundhouse take up an 8'x8' alone, and that don't count the lead tracks into the TT.

Go with the biggest curves you can fit, don't cram track into every bit of space you have so you can leave room for scenry, and put a few different track plans together as options.

Check out my YouTube videos for layout progress under screen name - Laidoffsick

Laidoff,

I love the look of your layout!  I have watched many of your videos in the past.  Fantastic modeling!  

Thank you for the feedback.

Michael Pellegrino posted:

LSHARK21

You can probably do that layout with Ross track with Ross Switches. Ross now makes an 0-84 curve. The straight track might be the probably with Ross though 3" 10" 14" 29".  I am not sure if gargraves makes an 0-84 curve or what sizes they have in straight.

Mike

Gargraves has curves from o32 to o138.  They do not have o84 though, it is 80 or 89.  Straights are 6.2, 12.4, 24.8, and 37.  

Moonman posted:

lshark21 posted:

I just found out that we will be moving into a new house.  My inlaws are downsizing and want the house to stay in the family.  I am super fired up over this since the house fits out family better...and...there is a building on the property that is currently a gym.  My wife already told me that I can use it for a layout!  

 

The space I want to use for the layout would be 20 x 19.  I have never built a layout of this size and would like to get some ideas from the forum.  I have Scarm, but have not mastered it yet.

 

I would like to model the late 1940 - early 1950s southwest PA region.  Multiple levels, coal mining, yard, and an engine servicing area are musts.  072 minimum radius, but think I want to go 080 and larger.  Track will be Gargraves with Ross switches.

 

Let's see some ideas!  Attached is a layout I ran across a while back that I really liked.  I cannot remember where I found it...possibly here.

 

 

 

Hi lshark21,

That's jmiller320's layout. Here's a video he posted of a run around during construction. he kept his tables narrow except for the loops. See if you like it running.

What are the room dimensions? It looks like you want to fit it in the right side.

My only comment on jmiller320's plan is that the yard spurs need to be longer if you want to stage complete trains. 4 x 10 is needed for a reasonable operational yard to cut and build trains.   There is space to add engine service, but a turntable/roundhouse will require more layout table. Another 4 x 6/8 area for that.

I also agree that a spur or two would give the train something to do. Coal mine to delivery area.

You could use that plan as a concept and develop your own plan from it. Attached is a quick read to help you determine what will keep you happy with your layout.

I like jmiller320's layout, but do not want to build a copy of it.  The design is a general idea of what I am looking for.  

The dimensions of the entire building are about 28x19.  I do want to keep it in the right side of the room.  There is a door that I do no want to block as well as a bathroom.  I also plan to build a work bench for projects.  

Man, I think I want too much for the space I have available.  lol   The more I think about it, engine servicing facilities may not fit.

LShark, you might be able to fit in a turntable and roundhouse. If you're able to compromise you could go with a smaller size turntable. Check out Ross turntables or Millhouse studios, both make small-large size turntables.

Thanks for info. I suppose it depends on what type of layout you want. If you are into a display layout and multiple trains running simultaneously, a dual mainline is nice.

However, a lot of nice layouts run a single mainline with other elements to keep your interest.

Folding a loop and bending it gives the feel of a point to point, while still keeping continuous running. It can cross or elevate.

You have a good list of elements to include.

I'll define the room for you in SCARM with some 089 and 080 circles and some rectangles and squares that you can move around to give you a feel where the elements can fit. A little later though, holiday prep and nephew's birthday party on the schedule.

A balloon on one end (not a reversing loop) can provide a main line turnaround and space for engine service inside. This one in Humboldt, CA was huge and provided that and port service.

make your list of Givens and Druthers and the layout track plan will come to you.

Wants:  yard to store cars, engine serving facility, smallish town with a passenger station( Atlas 6901), a trolley and warehouse buildings on a siding.  I want it to feel point to point with elevation changes along a two track main with passing siding or two.  

Doug YouTube videos are really well done.

K

lshark21 posted:

Wants:  yard to store cars, engine serving facility, smallish town with a passenger station( Atlas 6901), a trolley and warehouse buildings on a siding.  I want it to feel point to point with elevation changes along a two track main with passing siding or two.  

 

 

All that will definitely be tough to do in your space. Like us, you will probably have to make some sacrifices 

Laidoffsick posted:

lshark21 posted:

Wants:  yard to store cars, engine serving facility, smallish town with a passenger station( Atlas 6901), a trolley and warehouse buildings on a siding.  I want it to feel point to point with elevation changes along a two track main with passing siding or two.  

 

 

All that will definitely be tough to do in your space. Like us, you will probably have to make some sacrifices 

Yeah, I think the servicing facility will be out and the yard will not be as big as I would like, but the rest should be doable.  

That is my layout, thanks to AGHR Matt for the original plan from June 2012.  I modified it a little and added a siding and have extended the yard tracks.  Now I have a O36 run around track at the end of the yard. 

Looking good!  What radii are you using?

jmiller320 posted:

That is my layout, thanks to AGHR Matt for the original plan from June 2012.  I modified it a little and added a siding and have extended the yard tracks.  Now I have a O36 run around track at the end of the yard. 

 

That looks really good,I like the extended yard tracks. The 0-36 run around the yard was a great idea.

I'm using O84 on the outside loop and O72 on the inside.  All the turnouts are O72.  I do have a O36 return loop at the end of the yard.  Only the GP 35 can run around it and the longer cars will derail if they are attached to another car.

You can widen the radius of any curve by inserting small straights between sections if they're not available. I'm using Fastrack to mock up my track plan with 060 and 072 curves, but they appear much larger. But I will replace the Fastrack with Atlas 2-rail track. Eventually I will use 45" and 49.5" radius curves.

Geno

I don't have the room to make it any bigger.  If I did it would block the entryway and I would need a duck under.

JMiller,

Your trackwork looks great as is- I wouldn't change a thing. We all use the curves that we are comfortable with, so if 072 and 084 curves work for you, that's great. I run Atlas 89' flatcars and Articulated autoracks, and Lionel Autoracks soon too, so I wanted the largest curves that will minimize the ovehang on long cars.

I built my curved modules to take 45" and 49.5" wide radius curves, but really the straight runs are only 24" deep and are up against the wall. The one doorway into the train room is in the corner, and I'll have a hinged bridge to allow access into the room.

Geno

Did you delete your post?

I did.  I couldn't get the scarm plan to post, the file was too large.

The SCARM files are not that large.

Anyway, I was able to get pic. Change the switch to a Ross #4 and then use  2- 4 way yard switches. This gives you a pass-through yard for staging complete trains. Move the switch on the bottom further over and possibly the entrance switch across the table to give you a long lead.

Open two instances of SCARM and copy and paste this to your file.

File attached, right-click>select "save target as"> save to your computer and open with SCARM.

You can make a ladder with a series of #4's if you want a car yard instead.

Thanks Carl.  I tried to post a pic of the scarm design and it was 104 mb, the limit is 100 :/

When I get some free time I will get back on it and try to post an update.

I just tried it, the export function creates a large file, both as .bmp or .jpg. I use the "snipping tool" in Windows. It creates a jpg of the layout like a screen shot that's about 1/4 file the size. You just drag a rectangle around whatever you want off the screen and save as with a name and file type. I use the jpg.

The whole SCARM file is smaller, also.

There is something wrong with that file. I copy/pasted the track/labels to a new file and the export function created only an 8 Mb file instead of 102 Mb.

Let's see if this works.  I made some changes.