Help with New Layout Design Please

I like your space, and the main section is similar in size to mine, so the evolution of the design will be fun to watch.

A few additional considerations that might help the design pros - 1) you mention minimum O-60 curves, but don't state a maximum; is O-72 sufficient, or do you want something wider?  2) Where do you stand regarding duckunders, removable bridges, etc.?  3) What are your preferences regarding realistic scenery, operating accessories, and switching vs. loop running?  4) What kind of trains do you prefer - freight, passenger, older/shorter or newer/longer equipment? 

@Mallard4468 posted:

I like your space, and the main section is similar in size to mine, so the evolution of the design will be fun to watch.

A few additional considerations that might help the design pros - 1) you mention minimum O-60 curves, but don't state a maximum; is O-72 sufficient, or do you want something wider?  2) Where do you stand regarding duckunders, removable bridges, etc.?  3) What are your preferences regarding realistic scenery, operating accessories, and switching vs. loop running?  4) What kind of trains do you prefer - freight, passenger, older/shorter or newer/longer equipment?

1) O-48 curves are the absolute smallest for operating my smaller engines. I have O-72 curves and switches. But will go bigger if I need to. Like the largest for the mainlines. The O-60 is for the switches. By themselves they're okay. Doubled up to switch from one line to the next...Not so much.

2) The 2 Truss bridges I have are removable. Duckunders are fine.

3) Switching for the yard of course. Loop running is just fine, or return loops work too.

4) I'm currently running the MTH Daylight Passenger, The Bush Funeral Train, Polar Express, I have limited feight cars. I have my Uncles Pre-war 229 set, But that's on the shelf, but operable. Lastly, I have a modified LTI Chessie Steam Special will all the cars.

Not many operating accessories. I have a couple of Fastrack operating crossings. I'm also running TMCC, currently.

Several requests:

1.  Would you be willing to redo your drawing to reflect where the egress window is located?  Does that have to remain unblocked by local building codes?

2. Would you please also indicate what spaces are "off limits?"  Particularly are you planning to remove the bar?  And, where are your utilities located?  Anything in the finished ceiling you don't want dripping on your layout?

3. Do you currently have a "workshop area" (some place to do repairs and/or build/paint structures) or is that going to be someplace in this room?

Comments:

With this much space, you may have room for a nice around the walls layout with a good size "yard" peninsula that can attach to your mainline(s) via wye switch(es), so you can change engine directions without needing a turntable.  Yes, I know, turntables look nice and serve a storage purpose, but they sure eat up a lot of valuable space.  Figure that a decent size turntable and roundhouse is going to use up about 4' x 7' of space, but you can look at other threads to see how this impacts your layout plan.

Next, using FasTrack for a plan this size really limits your possibilities because of its design (architecture) restrictions in both curve sizes and switch sizes.  Look at some threads that talk about using numbered (#4, #6, #7.5, etc.) switches instead of O60 or O72 switches.  Also, FasTrack can be very noisy and requires a lot of construction materials to reduce the noise to an acceptable level.  (Look for threads that discuss FasTrack noise and related remedies.)  For the reasons mentioned, many here recommend GarGraves flex-track and Ross switches which, when used in combination, provide the best opportunity to build the type of layout you desire.

Finally, if you are going to build into the bar area, I would suggest treating that as a branch line operation, maybe to serve a coal industry, an auto manufacturer, an oil company, a military base, a port or whatever else you choose to build.  That way, a train leaves your main railroad, services that area, and then returns to the main railroad.

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

Several requests:

1.  Would you be willing to redo your drawing to reflect where the egress window is located?  Does that have to remain unblocked by local building codes?

2. Would you please also indicate what spaces are "off limits?"  Particularly are you planning to remove the bar?  And, where are your utilities located?  Anything in the finished ceiling you don't want dripping on your layout?

3. Do you currently have a "workshop area" (some place to do repairs and/or build/paint structures) or is that going to be someplace in this room?

Comments:

With this much space, you may have room for a nice around the walls layout with a good size "yard" peninsula that can attach to your mainline(s) via wye switch(es), so you can change engine directions without needing a turntable.  Yes, I know, turntables look nice and serve a storage purpose, but they sure eat up a lot of valuable space.  Figure that a decent size turntable and roundhouse is going to use up about 4' x 7' of space, but you can look at other threads to see how this impacts your layout plan.

Next, using FasTrack for a plan this size really limits your possibilities because of its design (architecture) restrictions in both curve sizes and switch sizes.  Look at some threads that talk about using numbered (#4, #6, #7.5, etc.) switches instead of O60 or O72 switches.  Also, FasTrack can be very noisy and requires a lot of construction materials to reduce the noise to an acceptable level.  (Look for threads that discuss FasTrack noise and related remedies.)  For the reasons mentioned, many here recommend GarGraves flex-track and Ross switches which, when used in combination, provide the best opportunity to build the type of layout you desire.

Finally, if you are going to build into the bar area, I would suggest treating that as a branch line operation, maybe to serve a coal industry, an auto manufacturer, an oil company, a military base, a port or whatever else you choose to build.  That way, a train leaves your main railroad, services that area, and then returns to the main railroad.

Chuck

Chuck,

Thank you for your time and questions!

1) The egress window needs to accessable due to the fact it's the secondary way out of the basemant in case of fire or tornado. As long as I can get to it (ie. removable bridge) that's fine. This window is on the west wall (at the top of the drawing). The opening is 4 feet, but the windows are 2 - 2' wide windows.

2) The Bar will remain. So that area will be about a usable 8'x6' , just so I can get around the layout and show off my Fire Fighting career. All of the utilities are tucked away in another room that is at the bottom right of the drawing. My train shop is in there too. Nothing in the ceiling but electric and Hvac.

I have quite a number of Fastrack and switches. You can see the stack of switches in the photos. Yes, I'm aware of the noise. I would hate to have to start buying track all over again. The only reason I went with Fastrack is that is what came w/ my PE. I guess I could try and sell it all and buy new. But I feel I'll take a huge hit on that. I've seen the threads on the track and switches, I'm not partial to any one brand of track, Gargraves is fine with me. Like I stated above, the Fastrack came with the PE so that's what I went with.

All of my winter/Christmas layouts I put 1/2" Homasote over 1x4" plywood and that helped the noise alot. Just heard the wheels over the joints.  My layout boards just had no strength to hold the ceramic buildings so I had to support them with 2x4s.

The area on the drawing is fair game. I just need to be able to walk from the big open area to the bar area. The bar and open areas are all finished. As you can see in the photos. Just needs a repaint.

I know a roundhouse and turntable take up massive amounts of room, this is why I said to put it in the bar area. Figured that would a good use of that space. Round house doens't need to be very big, 3 maybe 4 stalls. But whatever and wherever you think works the best.

I have the room cleared out and cleaned. Still looking for help. Thanks.

I may be able to help you out, Chris. I enjoy layout planning and I've spent quite a bit of time creating track plans with both Fastrack and Ross/Gargraves systems. Here are a couple examples of plans I've done recently.

I put together a plan for an 18 x 11 space using Ross/Gargraves, which resulted in a contracted design for a slightly smaller space. https://ogrforum.com/...w-layout-advice-help

I put this 22 x 11 plan together just for fun while daydreaming about what I'd do if I had more space for a future layout. It's using Ross/Gargraves as well.

Here's my 9 x 12 Fastrack layout that I currently have set up in my garage.

Feel free to send me an email if you like what you see and we can discuss how I might be able to help you out. My email address is in my profile

@Mike0289 posted:

I may be able to help you out, Chris. I enjoy layout planning and I've spent quite a bit of time creating track plans with both Fastrack and Ross/Gargraves systems. Here are a couple examples of plans I've done recently.

I put together a plan for an 18 x 11 space using Ross/Gargraves, which resulted in a contracted design for a slightly smaller space. https://ogrforum.com/...w-layout-advice-help

I put this 22 x 11 plan together just for fun while daydreaming about what I'd do if I had more space for a future layout. It's using Ross/Gargraves as well.

Here's my 9 x 12 Fastrack layout that I currently have set up in my garage.

Feel free to send me an email if you like what you see and we can discuss how I might be able to help you out. My email address is in my profile

Mike, Email sent. Thank You!