Tom Tee posted:Consider thinking down the road. The RR is built. The mainline is up and running, in a flat circle.
Then the creative juices start reflowing, "how about a twice around over under mainline". Too late at that point, but not too late now.
Maybe consider revamping the basic R.O.W. to mix up the mainline. Running mainline trains over and under with up and down grades adds considerable visual interest. Especially with a dual main line.
In my experience, we all like to incorporate a variety of available sidings for potential switching operations but activity frequently boils down to running trains.
Working along the premise that when you cannot exceed the length and width, go up and down; I offer a suggestion: As you construct the benchwork, allow an unencumbered structural provision to keep twelve inches clear directly under the platform to possibly add a subway system down the road. Lionel and MTH have some real nice subway trains.
Note black painted subway level.
Ted, you make good points. Perhaps there is room to have the two mains change elevations and swap positions. I started with the idea of a double-track main, I really like that. But you make a valid point, perhaps giving up that design goal to have more vertical "play" would be worth it in the long run. [somewhat more difficult construction - I have been trying to do an easy to build design.] Perhaps I could have the 3rd/Inside branchlines climb or descend - I will think some about that idea.
"In my experience, we all like to incorporate a variety of available sidings for potential switching operations but activity frequently boils down to running trains." True for me! Perhaps this layout will be different, with the operating plan, switching, a small yard, etc.
Subway - that is an idea. I had considered that perhaps a future expansion would be some kind of under the table layout, as you suggest, but my thinking has not gone far down that path. If I set the layout height at 48", then an under the table subway would be easy to view. I am not a big fan of subways, however.
I had looked a bit at adding an elevated On30 layout (which I have done on a number of other plans), rather than something more below the layout. Perhaps interchanging at Cascade. I haven't found a good way to do this yet.
Thanks! - Ken
