Layout Plan Help Needed

Paul,

I have a couple of questions:

1.  Is the restrictions on the number of switches due to cost? Or just how you see running your layout?

2.  Are you looking just to run trains or simulate railroad-like operations?

3.  Do you want to walk into the layout or a lift-out/duck-under be permissible?  Would a dogbone or loops be what you want.

4.  Are you going to run long engines like Big Boys and 18-21 inch passenger cars?

5.  Try and keep you maximum reach to 3 feet.

6.  Do you want street cars or subway in town?  Industries?  Operating accessories?

7.  Hidden staging tracks?

8.  A major city station?

9.  A yard?

10.  Do you want the top level to connect to the lower level?

Jan

Hi Jan - thanx for your help - here are some of my responses to your questions:

1.  Just want to run my layout without too many problems - so the less switches the better.  No cost restrictions.

2.  Would like to simulate rr operations to a degree - using multiple engines parked in a yard - other than that I would like to just run them.

3.  I want the ability to walk around the layout - no duck under (that's what I have now) - I would not be against having a lift out - dogbone and loops are what I had in mind.

4.  I do have some heavyweight passenger cars - I want to run them but no Big Boys - I do run sd70ace's too.

5.  Maximum reach 4 feet would be ok - if dogbones and loops used I would need a lift up hatch.

6.  I have one street car running presently in my town - I would like to keep an industrial center and town - operating accessories limited to an MTH watering tower.

7.  No hidden staging tracks.

8.  I do need a city station.

9.  Would need a yard with 3-5 tracks.

10.  No need to connect the top level to the bottom level.

Boy you were thorough!!  Thanx for your questions, Jan - any help would be appreciated.

Paul

Paul

I sent you an email with some Railmodeller files to look over. Hopefully they give your creative juices a kick start in your layout plans.