final inspection

Build it.

But as stated before on this forum, run it be fore you scenic it.

Then you may decide to tweak it here and there...

Great looking layout though.

don't forget to post pics on your progress....

Nice plan for your available space. Build it. one suggestion: switch the door to open left to right (so the door ends up against the wall instead of the layout).

That's a sweet plan.  I like the two loops, and the elevation.  Have fun building it.  I'm kinda jealous 

Love it......I look forward to seeing pics of construction.

Peter

Chad

Looks great, but please do take the suggestion of running it before putting scenery on it.

Keep us posted.

Dennis

Thanks to everyone who responded, I appreciate your input. Scenery last is good advice and I'll definitely follow it since it's a pretty tight layout and I have no idea what room I'll have to create good scenery. I've already made one adjustment which can be seen in the attached pdf, I removed 2 switches connecting tracks one and two; there were 2 other switches doing the same thing further along on the right. This will also create some more space to add appropriate scenery. Regarding the door being moved, unfortunately the door wouldn't work well opening to the other side. There is actually 10x10 feet of more space to the right of the layout, but family politics prevent me from using the space, including moving the door opening .

Now comes the painful part... paying for all that track! I've been able to assemble some of it through the OGR For Sale forum, but most of it still needs to be purchased through retailers. "Superman" had the best deals so I went with him, the track should be here shortly.

Benchwork building should start soon, I'll post pics as well.

Thanks again for the input.

Good move removing the 2 switches.  What is the switch to the upper left for?

That switch leads to track three, which drops beneath track two and becomes a helix beneath the turn table, and ultimately becomes a yard 12" below the top level. In RRT you have to hide the benchwork, buildings, track one and track two layers in order to see track three clearly. Here's a pdf with track three showing but one and two grayed out.

Wow-that's awesome.  I was wondering about the lack of yard space.  That is really cool.  I'm saving your plan.  My layout is set for now, but I'm keeping your plan for thoughts later.  Nice design job.  One thought.  Couldn't you have bumped up the radius on the curves a bit.  It seems like you have the room.  Maybe not, I'm sure you tried.  Good luck.  I wish I could help you build it! 

Thank you for the compliments William.  Actually, after looking a little closer at track three I could see some potential problems. Some of the top and bottom track clearances were too close, and getting to the main level wiring would be a pain with only a -12" space to work in. So I decreased the yard level to -8", removed the helix and made it a long curve (but was still able to keep the grade to at least 3.2%), and made the yard collapsible by attaching it with hinges to the back of the bench work. This should give me the necessary space to work in for both levels. Or so that's the theory anyway, we'll see when the building starts.

I'm also toying with the idea of adding an On30 loop above the south loop. Since it's a coal mine it be fun to model that at the top.

That makes sense.  It will be easier to build also.  I was kind of wondering how you would get under the main level if need be and a hinge setup came to mind.  Weird, I'm thinking about your layout while stuck in traffic huh?  Oh well, there's not much work to think about these days.  Thanks for some great ideas.  I really like your plan.  Have fun. 

dude, you don't know what you've done to me. i just literally wired my last switch, last relay, last block of track---and now you've got me planning a reverse loop and yard under the layout.  that's not fair-i thought i was done---now this?  

When an engine comes out of the roundhouse, across the table and on out to the ready track, where does it go to get its train? You don't have a yard anywhere to do any switching.

Sorry William

Very good point Webmaster! I think I have three possible solutions:

A, don't do anything and use track 2 in front of the elevated track as the pickup area. B, add two more switches and a line that runs under the elevated portions of track 1 & 2.

C, add an additional switch in option B and run a line to the inside of the main line of track 2 after relocating two buildings.

Option A could work, it was my original plan, but leaving cars there doesn't seem the best idea.

B seems like a good use of space, keeps the main lines open and gives access at both ends of the yard.

C seems too busy, but having an extra siding is nice.

So I guess option B might be the best option?

Stick with Plan A-  You have a whole track open for a yard lead and 2 open clear loops if the switches are set right.  Take another look at it.  I like it as is.  That's going to be cool-did I already say that?

I agree with you about all the open track, but I think after cleaning it up a bit, having a side line under tracks 1 & 2 looks good and is actually practical. If it wasn't practical I would stick with v15. How to do the scenery with it all is another story, but first things first, right?

Yeah, I like it.  Now an engine can pick up a train from either direction.  Go for it.  You've given me an idea for yard under my layout.  Have fun.