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Looking for Track Plan Ideas

HarleylitoHarleylitoOGR Forum Member

I recently was forced to build a "Pole Barn" on my property for my layout as I didn't have a cellar or room in my home.  The "barn" is 24 feet by 24 feet with a front porch attached.  I have a layout already that is approx. 20 feet by 16 feet.  In my haste at putting up my layout I made the mistake of limiting my access to areas on the layout.  Right now I have 4 independent loops of track, the layout is in a U configuration except that the top of the U is closed with 2 tracks running through it (I have to crawl under to get to my transformers).  I'm looking in the near future to start from scratch and to correct this mistake - I've check magazines, books, web sites etc. for track layout ideas but haven't found anything that looks good - any suggestions as to where I can find some plan ideas?

thanx - Paul 

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AceAceOGR Forum Member

How about if you show us the floor layout of the building, where the doors and windows are located, where you want to reserve floorspace for lounge, workspace, whatever. And what kind of train operations do you like, minimum radius desired; all those parameters are important to specify before working on a major track plan!

HarleylitoHarleylitoOGR Forum Member

Here's a rough sketch of the building space I have to work with.  I have basically a 22.5 foot by 18 foot area where the layout can be placed.  Only one large window and door in the front of the building.  Here are some ideas of what I want to do:

 

1.  Access to all areas of layout.

2.  Curves large enough to take larger rolling stock & engines (072 or more).

3.  Would like to incorporate a freight yard & possibly a turntable

4.  A siding or 2.

5.  2-3% grades going to an upper level.

  

  

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated - any track layout software suggestions?

 

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Last edited by Harleylito
Trainman2001Trainman2001OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Are you comfortable using a computer? If so, I would highly recommend that you get RRTrack software. I've probably designed 50 different layouts with it. It's accurate, you can visualize the layout in 3d which is great when getting into scenery or grades. It will help you can calculate the sizes for cut curves and cut straight and it's accurate to a hundredth of inch which is far more precise than you'll ever be when cutting and fitting real rails. The newest version even has a simulator where you can run various kinds of trains on your new layout to see if it operates as you envision it. You can't make mistakes and you'll get the layout you want before you invest a lot more money. 

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