RadCam posted:Hello my name's Cameron,
as the title states I'm new to the hobby and I'm looking for a little layout advice. First the background, I'm interested in big steam 3 rail scale, 1930-1950ish. I would like to run a freight and passenger setup at the same time, while also working a switching yard, or loco service yard. I'm going to build this layout in my semi-finished attic. I have an 11.5' x 37' area That is mostly open with the exception of the vent pipes that run up through the roof, and the entry where the stairs come up through the floor. (Represented by the rectangles). I'm going to do an around the wall layout. I plan on the benches being 36" wide for the most part. There are some areas where they will have to be less than that. I've been playing around with SCARM and think I've found a good starting point for what I can afford in track and switches. I know that right now it's not much more than loop running, but switches get expensive fast, and I want to see my trains run. It might also give me a chance to work on the various skills needed to lay track, switches, wiring etc. before I tackle a switch yard.
I'm going to be running MTH locomotives with DCS. I already have a challenger, and 4-8-4, as well as the DCS system. Yeah, I'm one of those guys that bought trains before I ever bought any track.
Thanks
Dear Cameron:
You do NOT need a double main-line if you are running DCS. If you want to run two trains you could simple put them on one loop of track and regulate the speed. Single track longs longer than double-track and gives you more room for scenery. Saves some money too. :-)
Your track arrangement is a good beginner's layout arrangement. Down the road you may discover that you want to be more involved in your layout. Your track arrangement is good for a "display" layout, but there are limited opportunities for people involvement.
Too many folks deny themselves half the fun of the hobby but not including operations in their layouts. I encourage people to consider the three essential and fundamental elements of a model railroad design: Plausibility, Purpose and Participation. Participation--involvement is what lacks in too many layouts and provides the future fun and investment in a layout when its done.
The thing that strikes me the most about your situation is you are blessed with a huge amount of space and you could develop a fantastic operational design that could provide you with so very much more than a basic display arrangement. However, I understand you are at the very start and learning.
I would respectfully suggest to you that for a future layout in that space to design your layout real world style in track arrangement and that is going point-to-point. Actually make your train go from one place to the next, be turned, turntable, wye or reversing loop, and then return to your station of origination. At both "ends" of your track, have a small yard or "fiddle area" to exchange rolling stock, swap loads and empties, change crews, etc. Doing this will involve you and others much more than running a basic loop. It is more fun to be part of the train crew vs. being an idle by-stander.
Your current arrangement could be slightly modified by eliminating the double-line main and have a single main and put in a couple of passing sidings. Then as two people are operating a train, one would have to stop for the other as it was on a section of single main--very realistic set-up--real life. In addition, sidings where cars could be picked-up and dropped-off would enhance your enjoyment and increase realism. Again, this would involved direct interaction by you or someone else to pick-up or drop-off cars; making you or the other person an integral part of the layout.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT for future endeavors.
Most people don't understand how to design a layout. Most start off laying track and then try to figure out what they want to do later. That by far is the most common and repeated error in the history of model railroading--all scales.
Figuring out your layout's overall design and then arranging the track to meet your design goals should come first. Most folks learn that through the school of hard knocks.
Best wishes and good luck! This is a fun hobby. Doing it 45+ years now--multiple scales. You are fortunate to be entering now as the DCS system makes operation incredibly simple compared to the old days when I entered.
