Small Layout Design Help

2 questions:

1) Can the gap in the center be filled or is it a permanent gap?

2) Do you want the loops connected or independent?

3) If independent, are you ok with one being raised?

Regards,

Greg

Mr Horst,

    You have all kinds of options, I recommend a 2nd Level and eventually a 3rd.  Lots of room to expand your layout yet!

PCRR/Dave

Consider doing some different level engineering like this layout in the picture.

I am looking to operate as well as run my trains....my latest design is attached....this was done using SCARM

JOECELEB,

It would be easier to provide you some ideas if you attached the actual SCARM file rather than a picture.  The attachment process is the same, whatever you wish to attach.  Also, you have not answered the question about how open the center has to be.  Finally, what equipment do you plan to run?  All freight?  Mix of freight and passenger?  Maybe, if you narrow down the width (left-to-right), you could put a small yard on the left side?

Chuck

Chuck,

I was replying to the original post....MRHORST is using Any Rail software and not SCARM....so I posted a jpg....I will post the SCARM file if you would like to add any additional comments to my plan....but this is MRHORST's thread and I don't want to interfere ....was just showing is part of my design....thanks for your input though...I plan on running mostly freight.....if I ever get to add a 2nd level I would look to run some passenger lines...

Been struggling with a similar space problem.  Was able to spread out a bit using a dogbone layout, but on one side I decided to climb up.  I'm up to three levels and might even put in a fourth.  See photo.  This is the left side of the dogbone.

MRHORST,

First, I must apologize for my confusion in addressing my earlier questions to JOECELEB.

Now, with that out of the way, let me ask you the same questions.  First, does the opening in the center of your "island" have to be that large?  If so, is that because one side or other rests against a wall?  Second, what equipment are you running, freight, passenger or some mix of the two? 

Finally, there seems to be a mathematical discrepancy in your drawing.  The two tables at the top and bottom have to be at least 30 inches by 60 inches to handle O54 curves.  Thus 30 + 30 + 78 = 138 inches total from top to bottom, but your printed outside length says 126 inches.  Please clarify and maybe we can help.

Chuck

Chuck, his tables are just fine. The tables don't need to be 30, only the parts under the track need to be 30 and the 24x78 & 12x78 sections do just that.

Dave,

Thanks.  Your comment made me go back and look closer at his picture, and now I see that his curves actually begin on the straight part of the 78 inch sides.

Chuck

You're welcome Chuck. It's an easy mistake to make and very important for the right side of the layout where it's only 12" wide. Unless the center can be filled or the OP wants to add more levels, there isn't much that can be changed. The ovals are locked where they are because of the spacing needed for the O45/O54 curves and there isn't even enough room to add a crossover. If the center could be reduced to just an access hatch or two, there'd be room to do something with.

Lots of good suggestions here. I personally don't like a lot of stuff blocking my view...

With my current layout, before more "development", I briefly tried both an elevated loop for trains as well as an elevated trolley loop. I really didn't like how the trolley blocked the view of the buildings. It was fine with just the elevated loop of track and that is what I kept before rebuilding my yard in the spot. 

Here is my old layout, a 8x12 "L" - sure miss this layout. One loop on the tabletop around the edge and a smaller loop on the upper level. 

Here is my current layout as it sits, more or less. I've made a few minor changes in building placement, etc since I took this photo. Guess I'll have to take another photo! 

An elevated loop can at a lot of action as well as some visual interest. A tunnel as well. You could even incorporate the tunnel and elevated loop like I did on my old layout. Having the option of doing some switching is also important - watching trains running in circles can get boring. Granted only one of my three loops has sidings, and my small yard can only hold 4 cars but I can still do a good bit of switching. Always enjoyable. Operating accessories also add some interest. I'd like to add an operating freight car (coal dump, etc) in the future. 

I think you have a good start - consider an elevated loop as well as much more siding/switching opportunities if you have the room. Unfortunately, I'm pretty limited on room but you should be able to get a lot going. A very short single siding like you have won't be much fun. 

Thanks for all replies, I'm going to do my best to answer all questions.

1) Can the gap in the center be filled or is it a permanent gap? Gap is permanent, the table is actual for sections that come apart if needed.  The left side sits against the wall on chair rail and the right side is supported by legs.

2) Do you want the loops connected or independent?  Doesn't matter.

3) If independent, are you ok with one being raised? Yes

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PCRR/Dave - You've got quite a bit of action packed into a small space!  I've thought about doing a multi-level but I like to leave room for scenery and such, I like the more is less.

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MRHORST,

First, I must apologize for my confusion in addressing my earlier questions to JOECELEB.  No worries!

Now, with that out of the way, let me ask you the same questions.  First, does the opening in the center of your "island" have to be that large?  If so, is that because one side or other rests against a wall?  Second, what equipment are you running, freight, passenger or some mix of the two?  See #1 above for the first part of your question, in regards to what I'm running - I run frieght with the exception of the Polar Express Set I have.

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SJC - Thanks for the great pictures, it's nice to see how a completed small layout can look.  I agree in regards to having some switching action, right now the two loops are nice for running but that sure get's boring quick.  I've really been thinking about having a single loop with some kind of "yard" on the left and a siding on the right.  Add some mountains or some visual break at the tops and bottoms to create a sense that the trains are going somewhere.

Again, thanks for all the great advice!  I'm going to experiement this weekend with some of the ideas you've given me and I'll post them. 

MRHORST,

here's one, add a small panel across the center. You can't copy this in AnyRail free because it has 65 tracks.

It's done in SCARM. Installer and layout file are attached. Right-click on files>select "save target as"> land it and install.

Good job Carl, I was just about to try a turnout on the curves to see if a crossover would work that way and I'm glad to see it does.

Alright so I was working on the layout last night a bit and here's what I came up with.  The brown areas at each end are tunnels to help give the two sides seperation and creat a feeling like the trains have somewhere to go.  I need to keep the middle open, the layout is tucked in a corner and my 3 small childeren like to sit in the middle and watcht the trains.

I think the current version is just fine.  If you can fit into the tunnels one or more holding tracks that would be a way to stage trains.  If not, perhaps a longer siding on the left side.  

I like it too, it's a great compromise. Here's another option using O36 curves and O54 turnouts.