Layout in progress

Brian, looks like you have quite a large layout planned. How large will this set up be?

A pet peeve of mine is crawling under and up thru access hatches to reach things. I am 52 and I would rather have an around the walls layout with a lift out bridge etc. The tunnels on the back side might be an issue (just from an access point of view). 

Have you considered a layout shaped like an E and or a dogbone. E shaped, using 3 peninsulas thus enabling  you to have your yards and your turntable in each one of the peninsulas, making it large enough to handle your curves but tapered back to allow you to access it from all sides if you slim it down and include space to walk around.

If you run large scale steam; Big Boys etc, be mindful of the swing out of the front of the locomotive might hit tunnel portals, etc.. If this works for you great, the curves look to be large and it looks to be a big layout and I am sure lots of fun.

Very nice plan, Brian. The only change I would suggest is to get rid of the 3 track yards on the right side. You have a nice yard on the left side of the layout and don't need the one's on the right. You could keep one of the three tracks on each for industrial switching. Getting rid of these tracks would open up some space for a town or some interesting scenery.

Brian, what software are you using to design your layout?

George,

The room is 10' x 27'.  That's the size of the layout minus the walking spaces.

You touched on a lot of stuff I've been wrestling with.  I originally toyed with the idea of an E shaped layout, but when I put the 2 side by side, I grew to like this layout better.  I put a lot of thought into accessibility...and although I'm a bit concerned, my gut is telling me to make the sacrifice.  I imagine the biggest problem to be the tunnel you referenced.  I plan on an access portal in the back corner that should give me access to anything that might happen in there.  Worst case, if I hate it, I can start over.  

Joe,

I like that idea.  I think it will give the layout a really nice balance.  

Matt,

I originally used the Atlas track planning software but converted it to SCARM over the weekend.

Thanks for the feed back so far everyone...keep it coming!!!

Depends on what you are running.  The NMRA template has a minimum height of 5 1/2" from the top of the track.  Not sure if that will clear a double stack.  The lowest clearance on my platform is 4 7/8" above the platform and my Atlas TOFCs clear by about 1/16".

Hi Brian,

I think the two fitment areas will line up when you build. The length is good, just mis-alignment by a very small amount.

I have a concern about the tie clearance near the elevated curved switch for the wye.(Nice idea by the way!) I think you could trim them if needed.

I gave some thought to operations.

The inner loop around the yard could serve as the yard lead without fouling the main.

The angle of the yard constricted the space for the short spurs off of the turntable for steamer or diesel fueling, sanding and water. So, I put an 072 wye off of the 054 switch from the loop to the yard. This changed the angle and provide room for the service spurs. I moved them down one and lengthened them. You'll need to add the uncouplers where you want them.

I see the short track (close to TT) as the caboose track, the longest one as the cut/build track(80"), the others for storage.

I like the elevated show-off run in the front. It looked like supports for it would be a problem. I reshaped it with 0108. Now you can cut a deck and have support space underneath in between the lower tracks. It's snaky now!

I agree with Country Joe. removing the middle track or adjusting the spacing (remove middle track) on the rights side will allow space for buildings to deliver stuff. Uncouplers there, too.

Nice work, looks like a fun layout!

SCARM file attached. check out the 3D for the snake track.

Oh, almost forgot. I don't see anywhere for access hatches. Consider a topside creeper.

Ok, I couldn't resist...I messed with the wye

Also, I think if you went through the layout you could reduce the track count by cutting straights for fillers instead of using the small pieces. I don't recommend Atlas flex. Cut the sectional pieces and use the connector tie ends accessory.

Lehigh,

That's great information.  I have 7" planned for the upper level so I should be OK.

Carl,

I was hoping you were going to chime in.  I love the adjustments you made.  I was struggling with the upper level bridge section.  Originally I had it snaky...but my snaky was more extreme than yours so was causing more support issues.  You've managed to find the perfect blend of snaky and smooth.  Adding the wye to the yard brought that all together.  And massaging the wye on the upper level really smooths it out.  One question...how do I retrieve the SCARM file?  I've been trying to figure it out but...well...haven't figured it out. 

I'm going to take the advise and re-do the center of the loop on the right side.  I think its a great idea to make that less trains and more scenery.  Scenery is a fair distance in the future...and the Atlas track shortage gives me more thinking time 

Thanks everyone of the help and suggestions...I really appreciate it.  If there are more ideas out there, keep 'em coming!

Brian,

You have to right-click the SCARM file attached and select "save as" or save target as to download the file to your computer. Then you can open it with SCARM.

You have one option to complete operations. Add a producer over the tunnels on the left. Say a logger. Then the logs get moved to the yard. Then you cut and build and deliver the logs to a sawmill on the right. The other sidings in town could be a general supply receiving the boards.

You can make it whatever to add some play value with operations. Your design does everything. It only needed some refinement, track wise. Nice plan for the space. You can run multiple trains at once, change direction without the "hand of God", work in a yard and engine facility without fouling the main and have prototypical operations. You have the requisite tunnel and bridges. Like I said, a nice layout.

I think the only minus is access to areas. So, do good track work in those areas. There is no space for access hatches. Get a measurement  of your shoulder with and look for places to add a square  that width under some buildings\scenery or a triangle slightly wider at the base. The back left corner looks like one good spot.

Also, ask around on the forum about which TT to use. I think the 15° fits RH's or diesel sheds or 7.5° will give the proper whisker spacing.

The Atlas track can be had by checking our forum sponsors websites. It won't be a one stop shop, but each will have something that another doesn't.

The part # for snap end ties to put on cut track is 6057.

Read through Alex' Hidden Pass Junction layout build for some great tips and techniques.

Carl,

Thanks for the kind (and encouraging) words.  It's been a fun project thus far and the tweaking that's happening is making it really exciting.

I discovered the first area that needed adjustment.  The 2 parallel tracks on the small section that connect the larger table were a bit too close together and caused a collision point when a large steamer was on the inside (because of the rear end swing).  I've made an adjustment for that and will execute it when I'm home next.  

I also got ambitious on the left side and made the 2 lower loops a bit deeper.  I've attached those files.  I'm not sure how I feel about it...so am really looking for opinions here.

Any thoughts? 

Dave,

Now, it's time to work on the right and the center with scenery and buildings.

I still believe, as was mentioned previously, that the spurs should be reworked. Potentially and small log pick up point could be on the top left, of the pick-up point of a quarry and the raw material could be delivered on the right to a saw mill or gravel co. One spur for fulls and another on the other side it of for empties. Three not needed.

If passenger service is involved a station on the top left and somewhere on the right.

A small business district for most of it.

Could be a hunting cabin or two homes in the center. Control tower in the wye.

Just throwing something out there. The roads work like flex tracks. You can go in properties of a road and change colors. Dirt, gravel, sand, or default is asphalt.

The layout is mostly 4.5" centers, so if you run articulated locos or 18" & 21" passenger cars, there could be overhang concerns. Too late to change that now. That would be a do over.

Changing the loops and moving the tunnel portals created some more space for scenic items on the top left mountain. I like it.