room design for layout

Dougie freshOGR Forum Member

So I have decided to rebuild my train room layout. The room area for the lay out is 8 ' deep and 10' long. I have my old 5.5 x 8 layout board in the room now but it's time for a up grade. The table is on casters so I can move it some what in the room. If I turn the table so that the 8 foot side is against the one wall I would have a 6 feet x 4feet for a siding area. I have collected for years so many accessories that most have never been out of the boxes. I would like a siding yard to put some of them out. The main area 5 x8 to be a theme. The layout as it is now is a winter scene and 2 levels. I need to have a mainline and then a inter one with area for my siding and towns. I have 28 building that I have collected over the years and I know I can't put them all out..LOL Maybe 4 or 5. I tryed the SCRAM program but at 71 I just can't figure it out. Paper and pencil works for me. In years pass "MOOMMAN" has helped me but in doing a search I see that he has not posted since last year. If any of you have done a small room layout would be great to hear from you. I will post friday a picture of the room for a idea of what I am having to work with.... Thanks..

3/29/237:59 PM

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Mike H MottlerOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Dougie:

It seems you may have way too much train stuff to fit onto a layout in a 8x10 room ... except if you create multiple levels of an attached-to-the-walls layout with no perimeter aisles.

Suggestions:

1) Build a main level that is four feet wide (perhaps a downtown area with commercial buildings and an industrial zone)

2) A second level above it that is three feet wide (perhaps a suburban zone with houses and a park)

3) A third level above it that is two feet wide (perhaps reserved for two bump and go trolley lines and several false front buildings).

The main problem with relatively narrow platforms ... there's not enough space for curves for continuous running. That's a challenge for a layout designer.

About PC-based track planning software - I use ANYRAIL. It's easy to use and has many useful features. You can download a rather limited (but FREE) version and get some initial experience with it. It you like it, buy the full version.

My 15x19-feet L-shaped, two-tier layout was designed with ANYRAIL. Two JPG files are attached for reference. I'm not a techno-whiz guy, so if I can use it, so can you!

Carry on, regardless

Mike Mottler LCCA 12394

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3/29/2311:13 PM

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DCtransitOGR Forum Member

@Mike H Mottler posted:
Dougie:
It seems you may have way too much train stuff to fit onto a layout in a 8x10 room ... except if you create multiple levels of an attached-to-the-walls layout with no perimeter aisles.
Suggestions:
1) Build a main level that is four feet wide (perhaps a downtown area with commercial buildings and an industrial zone)
2) A second level above it that is three feet wide (perhaps a suburban zone with houses and a park)
3) A third level above it that is two feet wide (perhaps reserved for two bump and go trolley lines and several false front buildings).
The main problem with relatively narrow platforms ... there's not enough space for curves for continuous running. That's a challenge for a layout designer.
About PC-based track planning software - I use ANYRAIL. It's easy to use and has many useful features. You can download a rather limited (but FREE) version and get some initial experience with it. It you like it, buy the full version.
My 15x19-feet L-shaped, two-tier layout was designed with ANYRAIL. Two JPG files are attached for reference. I'm not a techno-whiz guy, so if I can use it, so can you!
Carry on, regardless
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394

do you have any photos of your layout? this is cool

3/30/2310:12 AM

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Dougie freshOGR Forum Member

Thanks for all the idea's....I will post a few pictures of the room and what I have now....MAybe a few minds will be better than one...Dougie

3/30/238:07 PM

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Dougie freshOGR Forum Member

@DCtransit posted:
do you have any photos of your layout? this is cool

Here is some pictures of the room. it's 10x11 The layout you see is on a 8 x 5.5 rolling table I built when this was in the garage. With the table turned, If I remove the Mountain top it will go right under the wall shelving. I then have 6 feet of a side area that I could use. Any Ideas?????????? Dougie