I've been working and reworking my track plan for a small 84" x 124" layout I'll start working on later this summer in our finished basement. This will be my 3rd layout build, the last was 9'x12'. Space is pretty tight and I prefer to run large engines, so that means I gotta get creative. I'm an operator running DCS/TMCC and hardly ever run anything conventional. Grade is about 3.25% which should be fine for DCS and cruise control operation. I know the spacing is a little tight in some areas and but the real version will be adjusted for clearances. The large open middle area will be a cut out. Any thoughts on my track plan would be appreciated. What am I missing?
Here are the criteria I was shooting for:
- 2 mainlines with one being 0-72 and one 0-54/0-45
- An elevation change with overlap so it doesn't feel like trains are running in small circles
- Something that resembles a siding to park a large engine and a few passenger cars
- At least one bridge and tunnel
- A few engine storage tracks and a crossover between mainline
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