First Time Layout Plan

Long story short, the around the wall design conflicted with an egress window.  I am posting a re-design using island style.  It’s a shame because I really did like the potential with the first design.  I made many concessions, but am happy with what the new design will accomplish.

Details:

• Top, bottom, and left side are walls.  There will be approximately a two foot path on the top and bottom.
• Atlas track will be used. 
• Style will be modern equipment with diesel motive power.
• The outside loop is the main line of sorts.  This disappears under the layout and loops back on itself.  I am thinking about adding additional staging under the layout somehow.  The grade is approximately 2% to rise 8 inches.
• Left side "yard" will consist of warehouses, businesses and a brewery.  Right side "yard" will have intermodal for spine cars and possibly something else.
• Bottom right will be a future expansion to ?
• Two innermost tracks on right side:  I am planning to use these for receiving and departing trains to the main line.
• Scenery on the left will be a city or small town, while the right side will be industrial.
• Possible tunnel on the left wall if it fits.
• Main level will be separated from the graded track with retaining walls.

Concerns:

• Is the left side switch arrangement OK, or could it be setup differently for better operation?
• Innermost track on right side is O45.  Too small?  I will be giving up auto racks and intermodal cars that are too large for this curve.  I am thinking spine cars will be OK.
• Is staging under the layout a pain to deal with?
• I would like at least one more staging track.  The idea is to simulate an Amtrak train or coal train passing through town on the main.
• Is it too crowded with track?

The .rrt is attached as well.  Any comments, suggestions, or concerns are greatly welcome.  Thanks for looking.

Chris

Design finally finalized...I hope!  I'm hoping for any suggestions and or comments that anyone may have.  Two levels, main on top and the staging below.  The idea is a train coming out of staging and traveling to the main level.  The main line engine will drop off a train on track A, pick up a train on track B, and then return to staging.  From here, a switcher parked off of the yard lead will move the train on A to B, disassemble, and move to the various industries.  Next, a train will be built on track B with other cars from the industries.  The process then repeats.  During this time a passenger train may come from staging or the option exists to "loop" a train between staging and the main level.

I am going to try something neat on the staging level.  Basically, I need to be able to control the trains even though I can't see them.  To do this, I am planning to use an Arduino board programmed to flash LEDs when trains are not fully parked on the staging track.  LEDs will also be used to show train positions in the staging level (via outside rail blocking) and when the train is at the end of the staging line.

The layout will be fully DCS.  As of now I am planning L-girder benchwork and Atlas track.  I positioned some buildings and roads for a town, but this is all preliminary.  The industries are undecided at this point but I am leaning towards a brewery and a small trailer loading facility.  Again, any comments and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for looking!

Chris

Too bad you had to change designs, I liked the first one better (drawing plot1.pdf).  On the first drawing what are the 2 gray rectangles with diagonal lines in them?  If you post another drawing of your room locating the egress window maybe we can work something out so you can use the first design.

Rick

Thanks for looking Rick.  Here is picture showing the walls in red and window position.  The top box is a bump out in the wall and the one on the bottom represents a closet door opening.

A basic window would be fine, but this one is egres and should be available in case of emergency.  I thought of having a removable section in front of the window, but it seemed difficult with four tracks at different elevations, some on grades, some curves, and the cross-over.  I would certainly welcome any ideas!

Chris

Hmmmmm, that's a tough one but I think I might have a remedy.  I'm hoping those closet doors are built into the wall and not sticking out from  the wall?  I'll try to work on it tonight.  Check back tomorrow.

Rick

MrAnderson, for what it's worth...here it is

I left 2 feet at the top for access to the egress window.  I left about 2 feet in front of the closet doors.  It's now a tight squeeze between the loops and you may have to do a crawl under. I would make a crawl under in front of the egress window.

I used Atlas track and switches.  I don't know what track you plan on using.  If you use Gargraves track and Ross switches they have an 064 switch.  I used Atlas 072 switches.

The top and bottom outside curves on the left side are 072 with the inside curve of 063.  The crossover switches at the top are #5 switches and I forget what the crossover degrees are.  I think both loops are outside of 063 curves and inside of 054 curves.

That plan is pretty tight for that area but doable.  Just depends what you plan for the future as far as engine size goes. 

Good luck and keep us posted,  Rick

About 10 minutes after I posted my last post I had a great idea that would enable you to keep your original plan.  Depending on how much space you have between the top of your layout and the bottom of the egress window you may be able to build a platform to span the layout.  I see that's only about 2 1/2 feet.    It only needs to be wide enough for someone to crawl across to access the window.  It could be made from a 2 x 4 frame and 3/4" plywood top.  Support it at the wall with 2 x 4's  and on the inside of your layout with a 2 x 4 "ladder".  You could dress up the sides to look like tunnel portals.  Make the top look like a small mountain but don't attach it,  so you can move it off the platform if you have to use it for emergency.

Rick

Thanks for all of the great ideas Rick!  I really like the idea of the "bridge" over the layout to the egress window  The window ledge will actually be lower than the layout height but that may work in my favor allowing me to support the "bridge" on the sill.  I'll have to think about this.  Maybe I could build the "ladder" part and build the "bridge part" as removable and store it under the layout!

Your first idea is a bit to crowded for my taste, but maybe a donut style in the same space could work nice.  I may try to come up with something.

So many decisions.  At least they are fun ones!

Chris