Planning my Dream Layout

Hi Bob,

I took a quick look and I am partial to your 1st layout with the round house. What size is the turn table? What size curves are you planning? And do you have access hatches planned as parts of your layout will be very hard to reach. 

Bob,

 

I have a few ideas, but it would be easier for me to express them in revised plan drawings.  Same might hold true for others.  Can you post the track plan files as attachments.

 

Thanks,

Chuck

I like both plans, but lean towards the first one. I prefer and this is just me, to have all the tracks connected for switching purposes.

 

Fix your avatar or it eventually will be removed.

 O96 are the biggest curves, and the smallest are O54. I will also post my actual layouts as someone requested.

 

This...

 

 

Half your head is missing. Although, as a group, I think we have all somewhat lost our minds.

 

I prefer the 1st photo as well. Depending on what type of equipment you have or will have, I wouldnt go any smaller than 072 curves. Bigger is always better, even if you have smaller quipment.

Bob

looks like you will have a blast building and operating your layout

enjoy the journey

Steve

Bob,

 

As I feared, your plans are generated by software I don't have.  So, let me try to explain my thought.

 

Connect your two separate, larger ovals, in the picture with a turntable, with a wye in the center left portion of the picture.  Then, you can move trains from one oval to the other for some variety, and you can move supplies from your coal(?) mine to the engine facility.

 

Chuck

I too like he first one, it seems more interesting to me.

 

 

I agree, if some how you can connect the separate loops to each other, it will allow more variations in running trains.

 

We originally had our lower loop completely isolated from the upper two loops with the intent of running strictly conventional on the lower loop. We later found a way to connect the lower loop (which also has reverse loops in both directions) to the upper level. It made it much more interesting to run trains as you can take 1 train and run it over all 3 separate loops from lower level to the upper levels in either direction.

 

I highly recommend connecting them some how.

Thanks guys, I will tinker some more.

Bob

 

It looks to me that access for maintenance will be a big problem.  Reaching more that 3 feet is difficult.  You will need access hatches.  If you made the layout a bit more narrow you could reach from both sides.

 

Al

Like others have posted, I prefer the first plan, but it would be good if you can somehow make connections between the loops. This will facilitate storing and making up/breaking down trains for running and allow access to the facilities. With the difference in elevation, that can be tricky as you need a lot of distance to make a rise of 8" (at least 400" for a 2% grade) but looping grades could work if you can find space to work them in.

I agree with Matt. Connect the two loops and make it more of a folded dog bone,you can have easier access to reach things and walking around or into the layout can happen. You can still keep the double main line.  Have the large curves your widest areas of your layout and narrow down the other areas, it gets old crawling under a layout in my opinion. Try putting the turn table/round house inside of a loop. That said do what's best for you.

Bob,

 

Plan #1 looks terrific and gets my vote.  I wouldn't worry too much about connecting the different loops between levels if that's gonna cause you to lessen curve radii to achieve that goal. Make sure you leave space for some scenery too.  Connecting the different levels would be nice if you have sufficient space, but connecting them just for the sake of doing it might chew up the remaining real estate you have... and you'll have lots of track but no scenery.

 

If you like to sit back and watch multiple trains run, that's OK and plan #1 would accomplish that nicely.  Think about what's important to you, and adjust the track plan accordingly... or just leave it as is.  Enjoy!!!

 

David

And or keep one level with big curves, you have a lot of room and add a 2nd level with the loop in the bottom of photo 1. In my opinion I like operations as well as seeing trains run. Connecting the big curves would keep you busy with allowing for multiple trains using command digital control. TMCC or DCS.

I like the first plan with changes.

 

1. I would remove the switch lead from front of roundhouse seems to be a tight curve and the access to turntable at rear of roundhouse looks more gradual.

 

2. I would remove the upper oval of track that goes through the mountian and crosses over the stream that will open up area for pop outs and scenery and even some small industries.

 

I would not connect any of your loops together sometimes less is more.

have yourself a great day and welcome to a fun hobby.

Matt, I know you were looking for UP engines with the fallen flags

See this; http://www.ebay.com/itm/O-Scal...;hash=item4186878a47

 

Phill

RK, I like the first offering.

 

Phil

Thanks for the heads-up, Phill. I was able to snare that one already. I have all six 2-rail units "in custody"

 

 

One note about a large layout.......

I planned my layout, under construction now, for a number of years.

I started the bench work a few months ago. I did not get the bench work complete before I started making changes to my perfect plan.

With only about 12 feet of bench work left the plan is still evolving.

I had planned the layout with CAD software to a exact plan and scale.....but seeing it built...things change.

Maybe it just says things about myself......others may make a plan and stick with it....but mine will evolve to make things better as I go.

 

BTW....I like the first plan in your original post best.

Hi Bob,

Your're certainly ambitious! I would be happy with your purple line that has the round house and coal mine. You essentially have 3 layouts rolled into one.  My concern would be the reach and access issues. I'm younger and have hit my head/back on duck under layouts more then once. A friend has a large 3 rail layout and he swears by the duck unders as he can get more layout into his room. That said it's a big layout with tons of operational potential. Do what's best for you and keep us posted.