What Do Y'all Think Of This One?

That is rhe same track plan I did in ho. I like operations, so I changed it to suit me. If you can go one foot wider and still reach both sides, you can add a engine service area to the yard, make a two track interchange at the upper right corner, two industry tracks going under the bridge, and two industry tracks inside the loop on the top. I really liked that layout, but it was in the dining room, and wifey was getting a little upset, so it had to go:cry: .

Loren
 
grewsome said:
That is rhe same track plan I did in ho. I like operations, so I changed it to suit me. If you can go one foot wider and still reach both sides, you can add a engine service area to the yard, make a two track interchange at the upper right corner, two industry tracks going under the bridge, and two industry tracks inside the loop on the top. I really liked that layout, but it was in the dining room, and wifey was getting a little upset, so it had to go:cry: .

Loren
Click to expand...

The 1 ft wider would be nice but I'm sticking with 3x6 for space considerations. This 4x8 table I currently have sitting in our living room is just taking up too much space. (Kinda in the same boat as you were with the wife. ;) )
 
More important is how you like it. There are a lot of different designs for a door size space in N. But the plan that will satisfy you most is the plan that has the same priorities in the design as you do. Take a look at the "Givens and Druthers" sticky thread on this forum (http://forum.zealot.com/t110655/). The more you know about what you want in a layout, the more you can pick a design (or design your own) that will be satisfying for a length of time.

Nothing to me is more heartbreaking than to see a half-finished layout collecting dust because the design didn't suit the builder, and he lost interest. You've already been through several layouts already in 3 rail O. What did you like about each layout? What were the things you didn't like? N scale trackwork is going to take more effort to get to run smoothly without derailments. Having a design you don't like may dull your desire to take the time to get the track right.

Do you like to watch trains run? Do you really want to see 2 trains running at once? How about hills and grades? Do you want to try your hands at switching? Have you established a minimum radius because of the locomotives cars you already have or plan to purchase?

So far, the layouts you have brought up are all about continuous running with no practical switching possible. The 1st was double track, which would give you 2 trains running at once in either/both directions. This design would take some operator concentration to have 2 trains chasing each other, but has more opportunity for interesting scenery. The yard in this one is useless except as a place to store cars/trains.

just my thoughts
 
"Quote"
So far, the layouts you have brought up are all about continuous running with no practical switching possible. The 1st was double track, which would give you 2 trains running at once in either/both directions. This design would take some operator concentration to have 2 trains chasing each other, but has more opportunity for interesting scenery. The yard in this one is useless except as a place to store cars/trains.

Not to gang up on you CB, but what are you going to do with all those box cars you just won?:confused:

Loren
 
Fred- You raise some good points.

My druthers would be for two trains.
However, I'm having a hard time coming up with a layout in this space that will run two trains and still looks relatively interesting. I'm willing to forgo two trains if I can develop a reasonbly interesting layout running one train.

Continuous running is a must.
I'm one of those who likes to just sit back and watch the trains go. This is probably the big reason I don't put a lot of thought into yards and/or spurs. You say the yard on this layout is useless except for storing cars and trains but that's exactly what I designed it for. It doesn't really need to do much else for me. I might add a few spurs if my scenery ends up needing them for industries but they would be more for looks than practical use.

I definately want to put in some hils and tunnels. Especially tunnels. Tunnels break up the monotiny. (sp?) I'd like to toss in a bridge or two as well.

So really, that's all I'm looking for. :D

Loren-
They're going to go on the trains of course! :D
That's why I added the yard. That way they would have someplace to sit while the passenger train is moving through. ;)
 
That being the case, with the right scenery (hills/mountains/woods/etc), you may have a workable plan.

Looks good to me:mrgreen:
 
If you redesign the yard ladder with all righthand turnouts you ought to be able to extend the capacity of each track by at least one car. If nothing else it'll operate more smoothly without all those mini S-curves in there.
 
railohio said:
If you redesign the yard ladder with all righthand turnouts you ought to be able to extend the capacity of each track by at least one car. If nothing else it'll operate more smoothly without all those mini S-curves in there.
Click to expand...
I'll try that tonight when I get home from work. :thumb:

I'm wondering how much this is all going to work out to pricewise........
Just the switches alone are gonna kill me I think.
Then there's foam, risers, plaster cloth, scenery stuff, buildings.....
Yikes. :eek:

It's a good thing my wife loves me. :D
 
CB

An idea occurred to me (look out, world! :-D ). If you are going to use the yard for storage and industrial spurs for scenic effects, then you don't need turnouts to link them to the main line, at least for now. This applies especially to the industrial spurs, and could save you some up front money.

This was a trick (not original to me) I learned in 3 rail O trying to set up my operating accessories in limited space. I had no intention of switching the spurs with the operating accessories. So I just put in "dummy" tracks and put the corresponding operating car for the accessory on the dummy track. Saves a lot on switches as well as space.

If you plan it correctly, you can add the switches later and use the added operational capability when you are ready for it.

yours in training
 
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