14x18 Layout Design

Mike,

I have a layout about the same size as your planning. I have three trains running. One is elevated. I can send you a pic. or a short video if you'd like. I'm just sure how to load it here. You can email me at taki53@aol.com.

Pete

If I had that much room, I think I would pay for a professional design. I could make more mistakes than I could fix.

Semper Fi

Hi taki53. What diameter track do you use?

I sent you an email too for a picture. 

Gvdobler, never thought of that before. Maybe have to investigate as an option. 

Hi Mike,

here's a layout I designed that is now orphaned. It is to large for your space with O84 & O72, but it would fit with O72 & O60. Perhaps you could use the shape and rework it. It's FasTrack.

He mail me if you want the SCARM file.  I never finished the fitting for the reversing tracks.

You hAve to love it when forum members jump in right away to assist.

You appear to have 2 yards.   I would suggest you follow the late John Armstrongs advice and make the yard leads separate from the main.    As it is now, any yard work requires closing the main.    With a separate lead, a yard engine could work the yard classifying cars without fouling the main.

Yes everyone in these forums are always so helpful with ideas and good constructive criticism!  I enjoy reading and the help.  I hope one day to have my experiences to share too.  Been a while since I had anything but a 4x8 table and looking forward to it.  

Great video. Thanks for sharing. 

prrjim posted:

You appear to have 2 yards.   I would suggest you follow the late John Armstrongs advice and make the yard leads separate from the main.    As it is now, any yard work requires closing the main.    With a separate lead, a yard engine could work the yard classifying cars without fouling the main.

The top left is engine service and the yard at the bottom was only for storage. No cutting and building designed in that plan.

The fragments inside the loops are unfinished reversing tracks.

I really just put it up for a shape for him to work with.

Would it be fair to say there is play in Fastrack?  I have a few gaps like .21 or less that I can't get to fit together in Scarm, but it seems reasonable I could get a little movement over the long runs to make it work.  

MikeWalter posted: it seems reasonable I could get a little movement over the long runs....  

 

Yes, over long runs, there is usually some "give".

So if there is not yard and not industries, what does the RR do?    How do you make up and break down trains?   Is this going to be a model RR or a diaorama to display your collection.   Either way is fine, just different focus.    I try to look at the layouts are model RRs that do something.    

prrjim posted:

So if there is not yard and not industries, what does the RR do?    How do you make up and break down trains?   Is this going to be a model RR or a diaorama to display your collection.   Either way is fine, just different focus.    I try to look at the layouts are model RRs that do something.    

Hi, I still have plans for a yard, just still going through design.  Also, it would be something to add down the road.  For now, it was an attempt to run trains on a few track with my son, and continue to grow add over time.

MikeWalter posted:

prrjim posted:

So if there is not yard and not industries, what does the RR do?    How do you make up and break down trains?   Is this going to be a model RR or a diaorama to display your collection.   Either way is fine, just different focus.    I try to look at the layouts are model RRs that do something.    

Hi, I still have plans for a yard, just still going through design.  Also, it would be something to add down the road.  For now, it was an attempt to run trains on a few track with my son, and continue to grow add over time.

Carl aka Moonman has a good solution for your space. In your plan the yard will be hard to reach unless you can walk around the layout and or have duck-unders with lift out hatches.

OK Mike, it sounds like a good long range plan.  

Here are some updates with a yard, seems a bit forced, any thoughts?