Greetings Everyone,
We are looking for some input on our completely overhauled/ revised layout. I have already begun the bench-work for this build, but I thought I would get some feedback on possible track layouts. I have attached a couple screen shots of some layouts I am thinking about. Creations were via the Railmodeller demo for Mac. I do not have RRTrack. Also I have uploaded an image of my bench-work which is currently being fabricated. Bench-work was designed via Photoshop CS5. The Bench-work is the maximum area I have to work with. Gray boxes in the middle & left side are walls, gray vertical box on right is a more or less floor to ceiling double window.
*We are mostly modeling the Big Steam/ Early Diesel Era (1920's to 1960's).*
Track wise, we are using Fastrack. One day we will change to one of various, but for now Fastrack works for us.
Elevation wise, I am having some trouble comprehending % for Grade/ Elevation to Distance in Inches. My goal is to create an Elevated Track, that runs 10" above the Main Line. So with those numbers in mind, how far will my up & down grades need to be? I am planning on using 1X6's for the foundation of the Elevated Track, then QB, then the Fastrack. The 1X6, QB, & Fastrack are all a part of the 10" height.
*Focal points for our layout is the Switch Yard & the Bridge Area/ Mountain.*
1st Revision. It looks a little cluttered. The Inside Loop is the elevated track. Outside Loop is the Main Line track. After the 45 Deg. Crossover going SW, the incline starts up to the E-Track. The downgrade circles around the outside of the loop around the wye behind the switch yard. All Track is O-72.
2nd Revision. So far my Favorite, and to me the most functional. I have created a reversing wye circling the switch yard, and a double crossover heading out to/ returning from the mainline. On this Layout everything is O-72. I am currently in the process of acquiring a Y6b, thus the need for O-72. My other Steamers only require O-54. I didn't want to clutter this layout too, but I'm planning on building an Elevated Track for this layout. This time, it will be running around the outside perimeter
3rd. Revision. I modified the above layout, by adding another switch, which could lead to a Coal Mine/ Siding Area to load/ unload coal hoppers. Otherwise, there are no changes.
The Layout. The Sub-Frame is made up of 2X4's & the legs are also 2X4's cut to 38". We are using 1/2 Inch Plywood for the decking, and will most likely be adding Quietbrace for both its color & sound characteristics. The center 4X4 Panel (where the Double Crossover is located), is where we will be creating our River Feature/ building our Bridge. It is our intention to build a Mountain in the top right corner. There will be a Bridge cutting across the 45 Deg. opening in the bottom right, and there will be another bridge in the middle connecting the island with the main table. The sub-frame is rock solid. I can walk/ crawl on the decking, so I think 1/2 Plywood is quite sufficient.
The Layout with Dimensions. The boundaries are what I have to work with. I cannot expand anymore than what I have already laid out.
Switch Yard has an approx. area of 7' W X 10' L.
Main Table with Cross-over, Coal Mountain, & River/ Bridge Area: Broken into 3rd's: (1/3) 6' W X 6' L, (2/3) 8' W X 6' L, (3/3) 11.5' W X 2' L.
Island Table has an approx. area of 5.5' W X 11.5 L.
Any and all input, suggestions/ recommendations are appreciated in advance.
Thank you to everyone for your time.
