SIMPLE or COMPLEX Track Plan

This is in a 12 x 12 room, 2 separate track runs, or 1 that can navigate across 2 effective blocks. 

I used Ross and Gargraves,  the one thing I would say is to avoid cutting switches like I did along that center line, where the pink switches meet the black on the diagram.  despite my best effort there are still some inconsistencies with operation because of it.

I would also avoid putting accessories on mainlines when possible.  The culverts are a tight fit for some trains flying through, the Milk jug station is open enough.

Other than that, I am happy with the track performance overall. 

Build a little, test a little. Keep it fun. Not either or, one and done. The OP articulates aspects of the track plan that need to be kept in balance on a layout that is developing over time. The track plan is a journey, not a destination. Best of all about this hobby –it’s your railroad. Your opinion is right. And you can change your mind. If you are feeling enjoyment, you are a success.

Many books have been written about track planning, and I think I have read everyone.  They all have a common thread in them concerning mistakes to avoid, designing for the length of train you wish to run so they will always fit and the mission of your railroad interest, freight, passenger, or locos, mountain or water level routes or a mixture, freight yards or long stretches where you can open up the throttle.  The focus of all that being to keep your interest up and for things to not get stale.  Some of the fun is starting over when you are not happy and this can be part of the hobby too.  Too fancy, too complex can be a struggle to keep things going.  When I was a younger man in the 1970's, I built a Harley chopper from scratch, hard tail frame, springer front end, every thing that said Easy Rider.  Upkeep, keeping it clean, reliability issues, made my desire to sell it and go back to a stock Electraglide in 1977, the one I still ride today.  The complexities of model trains can be such a trip also, where you eventually go back to simple and reliable which is why I am a stalwart ZW user feeding mostly E unit locos.  But that's just me and what keeps me happy.

John Armstrong's books on track planning will help you and anyone design a layout that is interesting and FUN to watch trains on. And a track plan doesn't have to be complex to be interesting. Simple loops become boring very fast, at least in my experience. The goal: make the train tracks go on a journey. This takes some engineering and imagination - and you may have to tunnel through walls and under steps, like I did but it will be worth it. The journey is the key

I like my simple track plan (2-rail system, essentially a large loop with a yard) because now that I am getting older (78) I can enjoy turning on the power and running a train without any fuss and with a minimum of maintenance. I had a more complex system in years past, but maintenance became a problem that detracted from the simple fun of watching the trains go by. And I have never really been interested in "operation."

Daniel,   You say your layout is in a 12 ft by 12 ft room.  What are the dimensions of the layout itself?  I like your plan but I'm planning on using tubular track so I can use my existing Lionel 022 switches.  What radius track did you use and do you have a spec sheet for the plan?   Thanks - Bob

I used O-54

My whole table is on wheels so I am easily able to pull it off the wall when needed to go around the sides.

I like to think I am an operator wanting a usable yard with several industry sidings for switching movements.  However, there are times I just like to watch them run.  So, I tried to come up with a plan that allows both.  While I was able to keep the outside loop to a minimum curve of O-96, I had to settle for O-80 for one section of the inside loop.  O-72 is the minimum for track used in the locomotive yard.  Depending on how you look at it, there are 19 industry sidings plus a couple in the passenger terminal.  The yard on the left is my sort of staging yard.  The tracks actually extend another 15' along the wall.  My biggest headache?  The Ross double switch on the far left.

@CAPPilot posted:

I like to think I am an operator wanting a usable yard with several industry sidings for switching movements.  However, there are times I just like to watch them run.  So, I tried to come up with a plan that allows both.  While I was able to keep the outside loop to a minimum curve of O-96, I had to settle for O-80 for one section of the inside loop.  O-72 is the minimum for track used in the locomotive yard.  Depending on how you look at it, there are 19 industry sidings plus a couple in the passenger terminal.  The yard on the left is my sort of staging yard.  The tracks actually extend another 15' along the wall.  My biggest headache?  The Ross double switch on the far left.

I love your plan!  I wish I had the room you have.  Unfortunately, I have a max of 072 and its frustrating at times.  Life in a 13.5 X 15.5 ft space. 

Designed but not built. Space is approx 8x12x12. My current 4x8 is along the wall on the left.

054 outer
042 inner

yellow and green are at grade, blue is elevated

red is hidden storage below.

I have a complex......complex......

I found the most concise information on planning a layout in Ross Custom Switches (print) Catalog.  Looked but couldn't find it on the website.

Breaks layouts down in to 3 kinds; Display, Belt Line RR, Operating (and then explains each).  My advice try to find this and then "contemplate", then build what is right for YOU.

After building a couple of layouts (N and HO), after reading the books available, I went with an operating type.  The "planning books" all tell you to do this so you won't get bored.  Well I was fastidious in laying the track so it all worked, but almost never used it that way.  I ended up running the trains in circles.  Most (?) would get bored doing this (so I am told).  Maybe I just am "simple minded".

BTW those layouts were "conventional" not DCC.  I actually am debating if I want my engines to have sound.  Some already do so, will try them that way, but............ I find the "white noise" generated by trains running in circles very soothing.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

My current layout: a super simple 10' X 14' Fastrack O36 curve shelf layout around my bedroom with a Legacy #990 Command Set, 180W Brick, and Legacy Powermaster. I run both Legacy (with 2 locos and 1 Vision Reefer currently) and conventional (with 1 loco currently).

The layout that I'm beginning to construct (once I get the benchwork done; it's coming from Mianne tomorrow! Yay!):

-Still a relatively simple track plan; not so simple electrically

-Still using Fastrack

-11' 4" X 15' 4.5"

-Room is currently finished and backdrops are installed

-O72 min. curves; O84 curves on outside loop

-2 loops, a yard, and a loco servicing facility w/ Atlas O turntable

-Lionel Legacy (Base 3 coming soon)

-MTH DCS (planned in the future)

-Lionel LCS w/ I-Pad for control of layout

-12 FT O72 command-controlled switches

-A hinged bridge (still trying to figure out how to build that)

-Command and Conventional control

Mine is 17x12 for the main loops.  17x15 if you count the extra parking siding.  Not complicated, runs well.  All 072 and 084.

The Plywood Empire Route is a switching pike with a continuous loop. A very simple track-plan (with just two track switches) provides me with satisfying operation and just enough rail-fanning. The layout is the stage and the trains are the actors and like all theater most of the action is in the viewer's head. That is, imagination (one of God's great gifts to humankind which should be appreciated as such) fills in and makes it real.

The East End where the switching action takes place.

Looking South. Showing the track switch where the East End spur joins the old Main Line (long abandoned except for bits here and there). The old station (right corner) is now a hobby shop.

Looking West.

And the Northeast corner.

Simple stuff in an 11' X 12' room .

Start simple, a sheet of plywood 4' X 8'.   I decided O-54. 54" diameter was O. K. for my layout and room size.  An inner loop of O-45 also worked. 20 years later it's still there.  Also think about bridges and tunnels. 

Might want to start with a ping pong table instead then :-)

@geysergazer posted:

The Plywood Empire Route is a switching pike with a continuous loop. A very simple track-plan (with just two track switches) provides me with satisfying operation and just enough rail-fanning. The layout is the stage and the trains are the actors and like all theater most of the action is in the viewer's head. That is, imagination (one of God's great gifts to humankind which should be appreciated as such) fills in and makes it real.

The East End where the switching action takes place.

Looking South. Showing the track switch where the East End spur joins the old Main Line (long abandoned except for bits here and there). The old station (right corner) is now a hobby shop.

Looking West.

simple stuff in an 11' X 12' room .

Love the ambiance with all the rail photos.

Good thing you have never fallen asleep in the recliner with the trains left running in circles.  I know I would, probably every night.  LOL

@MainLine Steam posted:

Love the ambiance with all the rail photos.

Good thing you have never fallen asleep in the recliner with the trains left running in circles.  I know I would, probably every night.  LOL

Oh, I do. Buffy and I have definitely been known to fall asleep in that recliner. It replaced the futon in this pic and she prefers the recliner.