On to layout version 2 and am looking for ideas or examples with an emphasis on operating items (barrel loaders, log conveyor, Sam mill, coal items, crane, etc). For the next five years, this looks like what amuses the grandkids! What is reliable, synergistic, amusing-what has worked for you and how did you arrange it?
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I've always kept my platform height the same as the kitchen table (never liked perching on stools, and it's perfect for kids). Put the buttons at the edge of the layout. The sawmill is the best show IMO, and the prewar gateman with the light in the base that flashes into the lantern is as toylike as you can get. The coal accessories and cars can be a bit messy. As to arrangement, group things such as the 464 sawmill, the 264 forklift unloader and the log loader of your choice on one siding; the coal ramp & diesel coal loader, diesel fueling station and water tower on the main line near the station for engine service; and the stop station, baggage station, newsstand and mail pick-up together, and you can also add the dispatch station, switch tower and some signals and crossing gates there as well. Make sure a clear view is there for everything that moves or lights. Look up Postwar display layout on the forum for plans, too. Good luck.
Great ideas and thanks. I plan to work tonight to get the RR-4 layout organized with your ideas and will post a pdf of it in the morning I hope. I like passenger trains but have not figured out much the kids can do with them. any ideas on that?
On my layout the Cranes get the most attention from kids.
2 sidings is optimal, one on each side of the big crane, load on one side and unload the other.
For rail cranes, a place where they can sit on one set of tracks and load / unload a gondola on the other track works.
All my cranes have hooks. I screw medium screw eyes into whatever will fit in a Gondola, Flatcar or Hopper and let them hook to those.
Paper towel tubes work well as a load, you can cut the to length for shorter cars.
Today's kids work better with remote control than the old crank handle cranes, but they get the hang of those soon as well.
My Run Room Trackside Industries Photo Tour might give you some halpful idea.
What to do with passenger trains? Add the Milk Car, Merchandise Car,U.S. Mail Boxcar with the Mailbag Semaphore, Thoroughbred or Circus Horse Car & corral, and Ice Depot & Car to the front of any passenger train - just like the real ones. Don't forget the Passenger Sound Cars from the modern era. If you had AmFlyer, you'd have the operating Mail Car, Baggage Car, and Milk Car. There's also the Conductor Car and Hobo Car from the Polar Express. Plenty of choices.
Thanks again for the suggestions- I took the last 90 minutes and updated my RR-4 layout with a rough plan. You can see I am in the end of a room with walls along the back of the layout on the back and right side (I leave 18 inches for access):
1) consolidated the coal area.
2) reduced sight interferences- might still have an issue with the 364 log conveyor,
3) adjusted the crane.
4) still wishing I had a good place for the 456 and 397 (I only have a 397 now).
5) planning on the station, baggage etc in the lower right side or on the right side in general
6 Hope the sidings make sense?
PS to Susan, I looked at your web page and would like to see more details on the placement of operating items. I hate to be a bother but could you post a few pictures focused on that area?
Thanks all- this has been a great help.
hokie71, did you click on the numbers on the Photo Tour map at http://www.slsprr.net/photo_gallery/tour-trksd.htm ? All the operating accessory photos on that layout have clickable numbered links.
Sorry, must have missed that- going there right now!
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