Survey: Single Level layouts?

This is the first layout i have ever built it is 2 levels with 4 separate loops,hope to redo it someday,i have made a lot of mistakes,that i hope to correct nextime.

Whatever mistakes you did make do not show up in these photos. Nice

Art

So far only single level for me.  I'm trying to design a layout for the back room of the house I just bought, and it's gone back and forth between one or two levels.  I wouldn't mind more than one level, but I'm the kind that wants them all connected, and that's giving me 6% grades sometimes.

Sinclair....

I am in a similar boat, if I connect upper and lower as planned, and maintain a 1% grade so as to run my beloved die-cast cars, two thirds of my route is the transition. It just doesn't look right. I am thinking a twice around on my shelf layout with a 45* crossover will do the trick.

Rick.

Art...

....mistakes?

Rick

I currently have a single-level 8x16 layout.  I could have done another level but it would have detracted significantly from the realism and operations I'm trying to achieve with it.  I'd have to use smaller curves & grades that would be too steep.

My layout is one-level, with a section of a curve slightly elevated.  I've thought about adding an elevated trolley line to the mountain but that's still a future consideration.

Rick,

   Most times our Christmas layout is just one level, kept simple for the formal living room.

PCRR/Dave

Gents,

Scenery really adds to the "separation" of track. It is difficult to "see" that when the track is on bare plywood. I am liking this idea more and more.

Rick.

Thanks for the complement Art,but these are only a portion of the layout,if you saw more of it you would be able to see what i mean,there are areas that if i had to replace a switch,i would have to dismantle half of the layout,a single level would be ok but i wouldn't be able to run 4 seperate loops,i just don't have that much room.

My layout is a 15 by 60 single level. I wanted to paly it safe and keep it singel level to reduce the train floor collisions. I am happy with the layout but I am thinking when I expand to the next two rooms it will be double level with a helix

My layout is actually 3 single levels, all connected by 2 helixes. The lowest level is for storage, while the upper two form one very long continuous run.

You can kind of see all 3 levels here, and a little bit of one of the helixes.

On my toy train-style layout, I have everything on one level except I added a 2 track upper level on each side.

The back track is a display track and the front is for a bump and go trolley run.

On the "M&M's side", the back track is for deliveries from the airport to the factory and the front track is for a trolley to bring employees to work (if you use your imagination...)

As always, still under construction, but the upper level allows for more train action in a 12' x 12' room.  Although this is a green felt layout, a scenic layout could use an upper level like this with no grades involved.

Ed

My vote is for the multi level... just keep it simple.

double decker 36 by 36 around the room....

sinclair....  what is your room size? this is your fellow train buddy in phoenix is it smaller or same as my layout area?

$oo

My first single level of four built over 25 years. Also my final "senior citizens" layout, A 9x16 round-the-room in a little attic. Time to be as simple as possible at 82.

Mine is a single level, around the room type. Since it was my first home layout I wanted to keep it simple so I could get trains running in a reasonable time frame. I'd like to add a second level in the future, but it's not happening any time soon. I have both Standard Gauge and 0 on one level; one possibility would be to elevate the Standard Gauge to make more room on the main level. That would require some serious engineering, though. My Lionel Standard Gauge Hiawatha requires some seriously strong supports under elevated track. 

Single level 10'X16', still a major "work in progress".                                                                                                                                                                              

Here's a thread all about it. But about 18'x13' with some ill placed doors.

Its on one level. If I ever do an around the room layout, I would have two  levels, but not connected.  I am like Matt, the thought of a grade (especially steep) scares me.  Perhaps a ran my 2037 off an  elevated curve too many times to want to do it with my newer engines.  I have put some low mounds on the layout so its not just a flat table top. 

Mine is single level 12 x 10ish for now.  Everything is easy to reach and work on.

Ultimately want it to make it 3 levels of about 18 x 12  but the elevated grades and trestles with heavy trains and opportunity for derailments or accidents has been held up the construction so far.  Still need to learn more about making a stronger upper level before I move forward.

The holiday layout I have done the past 2 years has been 3 levels, with reversing loops on the bottom level.  Mostly foam packed on top of foam to make the upper levels. 

One level, as I lack the ability to think creatively in 3 dimensions.

I would like to add a second level somehow, but like the others, I would have very steep grades, or lose too much of the layout to transition.

Very early on 12x21 Point to Point, single level Layout.

Bruce

Single level, but a drop to go under the yard lead, with a lower level dedicated to storage.  Two sets of storage loops and a whole 'nother yard below the top one. 

Nathan

Can one of you Please tell me how to Make or Purchase these "white" backed layout design things with all the indicators for the switchers and so on.

I have seen these on several pictures and think it looks and probably works very professional

Mines a single level. I've thought about adding a second level, but its small (6x12) so it would have to be a separate loop without a grade from one level to the next . unless I find the room to expand. IMO, 6x12 is too small for a decent grade, (unless you're building a Lionel display layout, of course)

Brian,

It is two sheets of plexi glass with paper sandwiched between all held by a board with a slot cut in it.  The image was created on Gimp (or Photoshop) and printed on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper and taped together.  

Single level 10 1/2' x 12'. 

LEVEL TRACK IS BEST, MILD UNDULATION OR 2% GRADES OR LESS AOK, OPERATION IS LESS SATISFACTORY WITH STEEP GRADES PERIOD! LET THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE GIVE THE EFFECT OF ELEVATION CHANGES, JUST LIKE REAL RAILROADS, IT WORKS!

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the photo's and comments, much to learn and to learn from. Many of these layouts present some great ideas. A single level may be the way to go for me.

Thanks Again,

Rick Bivins.

I'm definately working a single level layout. Dewey, I want you to know that your engine service yard area served as the inspiration for what I'm building. I've already received my Ross 4 Way and double cross-over switches. Thank you so much for posting your pictures. I really appreciate this section of your layout!

Gilly

My layout is 2 levels with a twice around the room main line, There is a lift and swing bridge that gives easy access to the center of the layout. grade is 5%, with much of the grade change hidden in the closet behind the TV. The layout has continued to grow over the past 10 years, starting out as one level in a C-shape.

My present layout is one level, but I keep trying to envision the outer main loop raised.

I've been playing around with another plan using 090 outer curves and 072 on everything else:

Mine is 3 single, unconnected levels.

6X8 subway....with a 2X4 hole in the middle.

6X16 main double main line layout.

2X16 yard

Peter

I wasn't sure what you meant by "single level."  I have only one level of layout, as opposed to folks who have upper and lower levels of tracks and trains, as Putnam Division has, etc.  In that sense I have only one level.

But as you can see, the one level has track running at several different heights, or levels.  In the photo below you can see four distinct levels of track.  The two in the foreground (with the 'Streets road between them, are part of the same loop - it crosses over itself, and op and over the other two loops, in other places on the layout.  In that sense I have four levels.

I have single level layout. Video of mine is included.

Bob

I have two levels that can be run seperately or I can connect via transition track.  I am just getting started on scenerary and buildings.  Going for a "Winter Wonderland" theme.