Need help with design...from the Guru's

Andy, Start with the idea of a modular layout, depending on how you do build it can be a layout that you can walk on. My home layout was built with the idea of it being modular just in case we move in the future Being modular it does not need to look modular. If we should happen to move in the future I will have to do some surgery but the layout will survive

I have added a link to a video that shows progression and before and after.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaPD8G6f3HU

Ray

Using one of the computer layout programs can quickly become overwhelming if you're not used to it, plus you're trying to do two things at once - come up with a layout plan and also make it modular.

One approach that may help is to at least put a layout design on plain paper and then  start modifying it to meet your requirements for bridge, yard, etc. It may take you 6 or 7 attempts before you come up with a final plan that looks good to you, but at least you'll have something down on paper. At that point, you can transfer the design to some graph/block paper to get a better idea of dimensions and post it here on the forum and I'm sure people here can help you refine the plan, but the primary thing is to get something down on paper and go from there if you're not comfortable with the programs.

Rayin"S" posted:

Andy, Start with the idea of a modular layout, depending on how you do build it can be a layout that you can walk on. My home layout was built with the idea of it being modular just in case we move in the future Being modular it does not need to look modular. If we should happen to move in the future I will have to do some surgery but the layout will survive

I have added a link to a video that shows progression and before and after.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaPD8G6f3HU

Ray

Thanks...that is encouraging.  Nice video of your WIP.  Nice to see it go from the start to running trains with nice scenery.  I do like the idea of modular, but if/when we move I anticipate having a much larger space for trains...so might start over anyway...but something to think about.

Richie C. posted:

Using one of the computer layout programs can quickly become overwhelming if you're not used to it, plus you're trying to do two things at once - come up with a layout plan and also make it modular.

One approach that may help is to at least put a layout design on plain paper and then  start modifying it to meet your requirements for bridge, yard, etc. It may take you 6 or 7 attempts before you come up with a final plan that looks good to you, but at least you'll have something down on paper. At that point, you can transfer the design to some graph/block paper to get a better idea of dimensions and post it here on the forum and I'm sure people here can help you refine the plan, but the primary thing is to get something down on paper and go from there if you're not comfortable with the programs.

OK, so I watched a SCARM tutorial and did some basics...this is what I had in mind.  This is a little too large for my space, but this is the general idea.  I ran out of "track" for the free version.  The outer loop is 054 and the inner is 045.  I would like 063 and 054, but not sure if the space I have allows it.  maybe 2 loops isn't possible or I keep my larger engines on the outer loop.  I think this should allow for some yard.  I doubt I put a turntable on this layout, maybe just part of the yard for engines. 

The usable track space I have is 9x14...would like to keep it 8x14, am not opposed to another foot.  Thanks!!