Compact layout - feedback wanted

This looks like a very good start.  It would also be helpful if you attach the SCARM file.

To really help you with a plan, we need to know a lot more about your available space and your model railroading desires.  These have been referred to as "givens" and "druthers" in the past.

For example, available room is only 8x12, but only about half of the long side can be used for whatever reason.  Entry to room is here and windows or other obstacles are located here and here.  Also, preference is to just watch trains run as opposed to operating like any real railroad.  Have little to no interest in scale size equipment or scenery.

I hope this gives you some ideas about the details you must share to get decent comments about your ideas.

Chuck

Scarm file is attached here. If someone can tell me why the tunnels open up the wrong way I'd appreciate it. I selected the track sections which should remain dark (inside the tunnel) but it does the opposite.

The room I am eying has three walls which are all 11 feet long before any doors get in the way. It is currently occupied by a pool billard table that gets close to zero use. If I can get the entire room I could do something L or U shaped which would be awesome, but the idea with this layout was also to keep an eye on completion, rather than planning the "layout of my dreams" that then never gets finished.

I am interested in seeing running trains and building scenery. With the current compact size I don't think any realistic operations are possible, but open to suggestions. For example, the two tracks are not connected. Trying to do so would create excessive gradients, I think.

I want everything to be tubular Lionel/Menards track. I like the antique look. I don't mind having scale engines on the main line and older toy trains on the secondary O27 line.

Here is your plan with the tunnels on the curve ends of the lower track.

To accommodate the tunnel portals, plus upper level track supports and allow enough clearance inside the tunnels you'd need to raise the upper level track to around 7" give or take.

The attached SCARM file has both of these changes.

To answer your question about how the tunnels were oriented oppositely from the way you wanted, I can't say exactly.  The way I fixed them was to select all the track on the lower level and toggle the Tunnel button first to make all selected track a tunnel, then pressed the tunnel button a second time to turn off tunnelling for all the track (as it would normally be with no tunnels).  To set it the way I think you want it, I selected only the curve pieces at the ends of the lower level (one end of the layout at a time/one tunnel at a time) and pressed the tunnel button.

@SteveH posted:

To answer your question about how the tunnels were oriented oppositely from the way you wanted, I can't say exactly.  The way I fixed them was to select all the track on the lower level and toggle the Tunnel button first to make all selected track a tunnel, then pressed the tunnel button a second time to turn off tunnelling for all the track (as it would normally be with no tunnels).  To set it the way I think you want it, I selected only the curve pieces at the ends of the lower level and pressed the tunnel button.

Thank you!! I get it now. It is possible to mark an entire layout as "tunneled", which I had done by accident. Only the slightly depressed button marks this, and the darker color in the 3D view. No tunnel symbol is shown in this case as it's all underground!

I meant to add that for working with the lower level tunnels:

1st hide the upper level by turning off Level 1.

2nd only select one tunnel section at a time, in this case 4 curve sections at a time at one end of the layout.

If you right-click and Save As the SCARM file I attached previously and then open it with SCARM, all my suggested changes are in it.

EDIT: I see you edited your last reply and have it figured out now.

Much better illustration:

Edit: I just noticed your other post and pictures. I found out by trial and error that 7" does the trick with the 3D view. 5" was not enough. Thank you so much!

Wolfgang