First draft for new layout

A few comments. I like the overall flow, but I'm concerned about the 48" width of the sections on the sides. 48" is too far to reach the tracks near the wall on the left and the bottom corner on the right. Aside from that, the yard is going to be difficult to navigate. It appears the sidings are too short to hold many cars and it looks cumbersome to move cars/engines to the 2 upper sidings. At a minimum, and assuming you don't care about the long reach, I would change it as shown below. This would allow trains to enter the yard from the left and then back into a storage track. If going in the opposite direction, you could still back in from the right, it would just tied up a little more track initially.

Thanks Dave. I like the way you show the yard tracks. I'm pretty much stuck with the 4' wide table on the left side. I could put in a pop up hatch if I don't include the yard tracks. This is my first attempt and I wanted to try an E shape.

If you really want to keep the "E", you might consider shrinking the "E" to the right by shrinking the aisles. If you could get an 18" aisle along the left wall, it wouldn't be ideal, but might be workable, something like this. The circles are 48 and the loop-2-loop is O36. I'm not suggesting the "E", just offering some ideas.

BTW, where is the entry to the room?

Country Joe 

I like you current layout (6x9)  .  I trying to make it a 6x10 with some revisions !  

I wish you luck with your new house.   & New Layout 

This is a sketch I did of the room from the plans. The actual size is a little different. There is a pocket door entrance. The dimension from the wall to the door is 4'1", not 3'1" as on my drawing. The drawing is a few inches off on the location of the windows, but close enough to give the idea. There are no closets or other obstacles.

I like the E shape but I will work on a J plan as well. Our house won't be done for another 4 to 6 weeks so I have time to plan.

Thanks for the help. You've given me some ideas to consider.

Joe,

I like it. Just need some refinements. The refinements depend on what you want the trains to do, if anything, and the scenery or theme.

One example would be to make a wye to the center island or leg of the E from the outer main, put a yard in there. It would provide a way to reverse train directions, let you build a cool yard or engine service facility and open up the left side for more scenery, buildings and such.

The layout is currently a high track to scenery ratio, which may or may not appeal to you. Even more simple scenery, basic structures and trees, add a lot to the overall look or feel of a layout.

WRGMILW posted:

Country Joe 

I like you current layout (6x9)  .  I trying to make it a 6x10 with some revisions !  

I wish you luck with your new house.   & New Layout 

 

Thanks. I really liked my 6x9 layout. You can build a nice layout in the space you have. Post pictures as you make progress. The middle of the E will be about 6x9. I would like to recreate my city there and keep the feel of the old layout.

Thanks Carl. This is only a first draft and I really appreciate the suggestions. I hadn't thought of moving the yard or an engine terminal to the middle of the E. Working with the track planning program is a lot of fun and I'll be trying a lot of different ideas.

Doubledaz had an excellent suggestions re sidings. They are too short in the original plan.

Thanks for the input, Tommy.