Looking for suggestions on my design

Hi Badge109,

Welcome to the hobby.  Questions like yours usually draw lots of well intentioned, but argumentative, opinions, so don't be offended or surprised.  Let's start with "givens and druthers."  "Givens" include things like the amount of space you have, obstacles to build around within that space, and anything else you just can't change if you want to build.  "Druthers" are your preferences like choices of equipment (which affects minimum curve size), how you wish to run (loop runner, operator, or some combination), track choices (many would agree with yours), scenery or not, power supply system (Lion Chief Plus and maybe DCS for you), running/operating on one level or multi-level, etc.

Based on your proposed drawing, you seem to be a loop runner with a few yard tracks to store excess cars or excess whole trains and one reverse loop.  So, here are my recommendations.

Avoid duck-under "access" points as much as possible, and try to leave at least two feet for any space around the edges.  Many put small aisles through wider spaces with either lift up or swing out sections of bench-work being used to give access to those aisles.

Try not to have your yard tracks branch directly off the mainline by using what's called a yard lead.  Also, try to avoid s-curves like those found at the top left crossover and on both of the siding entries on the right side of your plan.  Finally, try to include a reverse loop for changing clockwise direction to counter-clockwise.

Good luck,

Chuck

Thank you, Chuck! I still have a bit of tweaking to go here. And yes, I'd like to do a combo of running loops and other operation. For now this is on a single level. If anything gets elevated, it would be an entirely separate track that isn't drawn yet. There is one point where I would need to put a duck-under access point, but the rest should be accessible without.

As far as equipment, I don't see anything peaking my interest that will require large curves. I see MTH passenger cars and locomotives that run O-27 or O-31 curves that would make me more than happy.

Badge109 posted:

Hello all,

I am just getting into this hobby. I downloaded AnyRail and paid for the licensed version. I like it a lot. I designed an 5'x11' with a 5'x5' addition to form an "L". This is probably my sixth draft. I plan on using Gargraves track and Ross switches. I've been doing as much reading as possible here on the forum. I'm not modeling this after any particular railroad. I will be primarily running Pennsy and Reading trains (local and family connection).

This is the max space I can take up. On the image I've attached, I plan on having an access point near the top right (back right in reality). And also one below (in front of) the siding or freight yard. The rest I can get to as the left side isn't up against a wall. There will be well over a foot of clearance on the left.

I plan on running conventional, Lion Chief Plus and I'm thinking of doing the DCS system. I definitely won't be spending Legacy locomotive money yet.

I appreciate thoughts, suggestions, possible improvements from those more experienced than me. Thank you!

 

Matt

Matt:  You have a reversing section that will allow the train to change directions ONCE.  Once going that way, you are stuck without backing up.  I've got an idea to share with you feel free to email me at Indycop999@hotmail.com