Hello All!
I am planning a new layout. A bit about me.....I have had 3 other past layouts. Two in N scale and 1 in HO scale. I have always wanted an O scale layout but have be confined by space issues. Recently I purchased a home with a room for a new layout. I am leaning toward doing an O scale but am not sure I will be able to have the O scale layout I desire in the space I have. Thus I have been considering going back to N scale only because the room I have would allow for a massive N scale empire. I would prefer not to as my eyesight is not what it use to be. Long and short of it is, I love N scale but have always dreamed of building an O scale empire. I would like to make it happen.
So I thought I would ask for help. I am not big on the track planning part of layout building. I have used various software programs. I built my HO scale layout based on an Atlas right track plan. Currently I am attempting to use Xtrack Cad software to plan my O scale empire. I do struggle with this software as well as Scarm software also. I do not find it enjoyable and am about to start just using pencil and paper. However there are obvious limitations and difficulties with going that route.
I am including an image of the room I am using. It is a challenge for a large scale layout in that one side is 12 ft long and the other is only a bit more than 6 due to a door way. Also the 12 ft side has a door to a closet so realistically it should only be about 10 ft. Also the room is 23 feet long so the length shouldn't be an issue. I am not opposed to an around the room layout or a peninsula style. I would prefer to not have a duck under but a lift up or fold down bridge section would be interesting to me. I am including a list of need/wants....
- Turntable with a roundhouse
- Decent size yard
- A few bridges
- Preferably a double track mainline
- A variety of industries
- A town or two
- A trolley system in one town
- Minimum O-72 on outside tracks as I would like to run some scale engines (this is negotiable)
- I would like to run mostly scale engines however I will run some traditional locomotives also. There will be some tinplate also as I find some of it desirable
- I want to use Gargraves phantom rail track
I like to run trains as we all do. However I enjoy the building just as much. I try to stay true to "real" railroads but inevitably it will not be. I like some of the "toy" like aspects that are available in O scale. I do not usually model a certain railroad or area. I prefer to freelance and buy whatever equipment catches my eye. Well I am rambling....I suppose that is enough for now. Any ideas, thoughts or comments would be helpful as I ponder my O scale adventure.
Thanks!
