Admittedly, convincing the wife on this one will be easier said than done, but I decided to try my hand at an around-the walls layout for the basement.
The plan would be to have a main yard & engine service facility in the "back" (left side of Photo 01) of the room that would be more traditional benchwork, and then extend a 12" to 15" wide loop around the walls in the "wife's half" (the right half) that I would finish as (hopefully somewhat nice) shelves, cabinets, etc. The trade off would be more space open in the middle of the room. For room access there's be a 40" double track lift-out bridge that could be removed when not in use (lower right of Photo 01). The outer loop would be basically just that and would climb up to the bridge, over, then down again. The inner loop would go to the yard & engine service areas as well as a couple of industries (maybe a mine & freight terminal - the purple tracks at the top of the layout in the SCARM file). Part of the yard & industry access would also serve as a reversing loop for trains from either direction. Both loops have switches & sidings to "nowhere" in preparation for the possibility of future expansion through the wall (lower left) into the other part of the basement.
Any tips, thoughts, or suggestions are welcome. I've measured & placed some of my wife's furniture in the plan as a possible arrangement, as well as a yet-to-be-purchased TV mounted on the wall by the door. I'm thinking I'd build the benchwork around 40" to 42" high, which should put me a couple inches below the light switch and at or above the level of most of her furniture. Minimum curve is O-72, save for the 2nd track to the mine that would be O-54. Thanks!
- Neal
