24 by 11 feet to work with for new layout

Ok, so i've moved over here because I think I'll do a little more planning before I put everything up. I have 2 original concepts that I will post and then post a third which is more like what I am thinking now. I was planning on using 1 x 3 frames with 2 inch think foam for the table. I may rethink that since I can't get the layout without have a big duck under.

The original concept #1 the old Gorre & Daphetid


So this is one idea, it's the old Gorre & Daphetid  layout. I've had it in HO and ripped the track up and re-did it in ON30. It's very tight and the biggest curves I can have are 72 inch. I'l have to duck under the table to get to the middle open area, but I can reach all the track. There would be 24" of clearance in the front, left and right side. The back would be against a wall. I like this layout because it's a twice around and the shay and climax would be right at home on this. The big articulates probably will feel cramped. I don't know why, but I really like this layout.

Option 2


This one is the same size as the other one, same clearances. It's exactly opposite as I would like it but with the five foot width, I have to keep that to the front.

This layout gives me a big 81 inch loop to run on the lower level and can disappear into a mountain. I thought about adding sidings in the back to park trains but I don't see how i can do that now with having access.

The inner level is O72 minimum curves. The idea is to use the switchback to go up or down 8 to 10 inches to a mine. I'm thinking up right now even though it's down on the track plan. Then you can go up 8 to 10 inches to the fiddle yard over the lower levels parking area. Not too sure about that grade though. I have decided that I like the # 5 switches instead of the O72.

I like the switchback and the fiddle yard and I could confer this to a twice around. I don't like the five foot crawl under so I thought about redoing the whole plan with features I like.

Option 3


Here is one feature or similar I would like to incorporate into the new layout


Here is another, I would like to spread this out a little more so it's not so boxy looking but keep it 3 feet deep. I might even  be able to curve it. When we went to Cass Scenic RR they had one and it was delightful to climb the mountain on it.


Basically here is the motive power I will be using:

All MTH NW Y 3b
    MTH NW Y 6b
    MTH Unshrouded J class
    MTH Cass Scenic  Shay
    MTH Climax
    MTH J Class Shrouded

The green boxes represent what  the original table design was going to be. I am thinking about not doing that and doing a layout with 2 big 81" or 72" circles. One on the left and one on the right. Then I could walk around more of the layout without ducking under and i can lose some of the boxiness look. I don't know why but I am pre-programed to draw boxes...yuch..lol.

I sketched in 2 big 81 inch loops and right away it's more appealing.I would still have to have 2 smaller duck unders to reach parts of the track, but now it looks like more of a modular 3 foot wide or so design might work better. The only problem with this is I have to make the table 13 feet deep instead of 11 and I lose a parking space for a car. Hmmm....trains or cars....tough choice. Course if i lose the car space I now have a little more room and could maybe of 15' deep.

O81 curves take up a lot of space but it looks like I could do at least a once around over under loop...maybe even a twice around and add in the features I like listed above. Plus maybe some passing spots on grades.

Anyway, I'm  back in the planning stage. Unfortunately I have a Mac so it looks like I have to use Rail Modeler for planning. Any tips or brilliant ideas are welcome.

Thanks

Tagginbac