First draft of layout - Now V 3.0
I'd like suggestions on changes/improvements to this layout. The size is 8'x12', HO scale. I used one of the base 8x8 plans in a Model Railroader layout book as a starting point. My scanner cut off the edges of the long side so the tracks are at closest 3" to the edge, not as shown. It isn't drawn on grid paper, sorry about that, but I've labeled the radius on all curves. The tightest curve is going up to the logging camp, at 18" R, while most of the curves are between 26" and 30" R. I'll be running large steam engines, probably not many passenger cars, maybe one or two short ones, but mostly freight. It seems a little "track heavy" to me, but I'm OK with that. The logging camp to sawmill isn't a very well planned addition, but I have a Shay I love and I'd like to be able to incorporate it. The hash marks all around the track were used to calculate track length, which came out to just over 100'. Hash mark to hash mark is 36" unless noted by a lesser # just inside one has mark. The double loop main line really precludes running more than probably two engines at once, but that's OK too I think. The reach may be a little long from the pit, but I'm 6'4" and have long arms so that's not a problem for me.
I see the #'s are barely legible at the reduced size so here is a link to a larger file that hopefully will allow the radius #'s to be more clear.
http://webpages.charter.net/hammerli/Layout.jpg
I'd like suggestions on changes/improvements to this layout. The size is 8'x12', HO scale. I used one of the base 8x8 plans in a Model Railroader layout book as a starting point. My scanner cut off the edges of the long side so the tracks are at closest 3" to the edge, not as shown. It isn't drawn on grid paper, sorry about that, but I've labeled the radius on all curves. The tightest curve is going up to the logging camp, at 18" R, while most of the curves are between 26" and 30" R. I'll be running large steam engines, probably not many passenger cars, maybe one or two short ones, but mostly freight. It seems a little "track heavy" to me, but I'm OK with that. The logging camp to sawmill isn't a very well planned addition, but I have a Shay I love and I'd like to be able to incorporate it. The hash marks all around the track were used to calculate track length, which came out to just over 100'. Hash mark to hash mark is 36" unless noted by a lesser # just inside one has mark. The double loop main line really precludes running more than probably two engines at once, but that's OK too I think. The reach may be a little long from the pit, but I'm 6'4" and have long arms so that's not a problem for me.
I see the #'s are barely legible at the reduced size so here is a link to a larger file that hopefully will allow the radius #'s to be more clear.
http://webpages.charter.net/hammerli/Layout.jpg