around the wall layout drawbacks?

The biggest issue is getting into and out of the layout. Usually involves a duck-under, lift-up, or drop-down. That is, unless you live where basements weren't hunted to extinction and happen to have stairs that lead into the center of the room and can run part of the layout under the stairs. The up sides are:

• You can't see the entire layout at once. This allows you to get away with slightly longer trains.
  
• You only see the inside of longer cars on curves which makes them appear less sharp.
  
• you usually have a shorter distance to reach derailed/stalled equipment.
  
• Less need for access hatches (except for really deep corner sections.)
  

One thing I noticed after starting mine which is 27 x 16 is it is hard to put in a way to turn a train around. Just like real life. Even putting in a wye to turn an engine around takes some serious planning.
Ron

Access to basement windows, possible constriction to required emergency exit/Bilco doors, interfere with mechanicals which frequently are at perimeter locations, issues when steps descend along basement wall, sump pump access, required 30" X 36" access to breaker box, sewer drain line chase/bump out, in way to French drain construction.

However, all things considered, around the wall is really the only way to do 0 scale 2 rail or true 1/4" scale 3 rail. Island platform curves are way too restrictive.

My preference has always been for the "walk-in" around the wall style.




True, you need room for the two "balloon" loops on each end, but they do not have to be directly across from each other.

Besides not needing any duck-unders, another advantage is that a simple crossover, such as the one near Schenectady in the sketch above, turns the end loop into a reversing loop with no additional space taken up.

You can utilize the center of the the room by creating peninsulas that extend out from the wall.

By the way, the large peninsula with the engine terminal and the city of Mott Haven has since been removed in the interests of creating a work area and simply freeing up more space for moving around the basement. The furnace and water heater are located in the center of the basement, so that area is not really as open as the sketch would make you think. Basement steps are located along the wall at the left.

A new smaller peninsula has since taken up a 5'x8' area near the site of the former turntable.

Jim

Jim
Did Pinnacle repace the turntable?

That's right, Dewey.

Geologic processes and Mother Nature trump technology and man's creations again!

Jim

Jim.
The layout plan look's nice, but when you see the video
it has a real WOW factor.

I guess it's hard to visualise a lawout just from a track plan...

Nice Job....

Thank you, Stoshu.

That's true - track placement is just the beginning.

Jim

Jim...I know some time back you reduced the size of Mott Haven but now it seems you are saying that all of the city is gone including the passenger facilities....is that correct??

Alan

Having had the pleasure of shooting video on Jim Policastro's layout, I can offer another reason why I prefer around the room layout design. PHOTOGRAPHY!

There are many more viewing angles when the layout goes around the room! That's good for photos and video, and also for your visitors.

The original poster was asking about around the walls layout. I also have basically the same set up. 12' x 20' room with an attic ladder taking me to the center of the room. My plan was to be able to run at least four and up to 6 traisn all at the same time. No concerns for duck under or lift up sections.

I am not sure how to get some dog bones or reverse direction loops into this configuration. The big idea I have is to run two tracks across a bridge in the middle of a the room resulting in a figure 8 set up for some tracks. The bridge is the He11 Gate Bridge.

I have a 30 X 42, dual level, 2 peninsula's, along the wall layout. This video covers the entire layout. Really no drawbacks, just a lot of re-work over the past 6+ years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7t__SC2Xok

Cesar

quote:

Originally posted by leavingtracks:
Jim...I know some time back you reduced the size of Mott Haven but now it seems you are saying that all of the city is gone including the passenger facilities....is that correct??

Alan

Alan,

The city is just pushed up against the wall more in keeping with the around the walls theme - just about the same number of buildings.

It is also a much more scenic place now, and with many more photo angles as Rich mentioned.







The extra space is now the home of a new, but smaller, peninsula extending out from the wall. Look for Pinnacle Peaks State Park in future issues of OGR. There have been a few previews of this new area in other posts in the scenery forum.

Jim

The only disadvantage to an "around the walls" layout that I've seen is putting the track way too close to the kneewall/roof sloped wall should the layout be built in a loft or upstairs area. Friend of mine did that and his longer engines, especially articulateds whack the wall just a bit, sometime causing a minor derail.
he did the best of planning. But back in the day the articulateds weren't out yet! So..........beware! If ya can try and plan in advance on what engines you might buy, or even have a guest run!

WHEW!!!!..thanks Jim. For a minute there I thought that your urban renewal project had completely obliterated the city....here in our city we were worried that your Homies were going to have to find a new place to live!!

Alan

Jim's muscular Homies look like they would make good MOW workers. I could use them to complete my ballasting.

Around the walls of the room is the most efficient use of space. However with my latest I made a donut shape. Kinda like you see at train shows. One corner swings open so I can walk in. The unexpected benefit is I get two views of each section of track. Sometimes I run on the outside sometimes on the inside. I see the front of my town and the back ally view. I see both sides of my bridge from either end of the canyon. Makes it nice when I have open house. the engineers stay in the middle and the kids stay on the outside with plenty of buttons to push.
Just another viewpoint
Clem