Skip to main content

For the forseeable future, I will likely not be building a detailed, intricate, permanent layout. Which leaves me with a basic floor layout to run trains. As of now I have three humble loops and a yard with a reverse loop inside - each loop is O72, O60, O48, and the reverse loop and yard trackage are O36. These loops start to get boring however, and I've been thinking about what I could do to give the layout some character. I feel like scenery options are limited because, again, this is not a permanent layout. An idea I had was a twice-around O72 layout, with a normal O60 loop and a small yard on the inside. I would have another O72 switch to lead off into a separate engine yard off to the side. The grades are 3% on the inner incline and 3.5% on the outer incline. My freight trains right now don't get longer than 10 cars, so I think my Legacy locomotives could tackle the grade.

The biggest issue though is I don't know what to do for the bridge. I was thinking of using Woodland Scenics' incline/decline sets to get up to the bridge - but what do I use for the curved bridge?

I'm not 100% sold on the idea of changing layouts - the layout has been through many iterations, and the more I change the layout the more track I have to buy I also need to double check the layout dimensions to make sure the layout isn't taking up more space than I can afford to give, but I thought it was an interesting thought exercise, and who knows, maybe I'll build it for the fun of it. But what do you think? Is a twice-around design a good solution for an exciting, semi-tempory floor layout? What would you recommend for the bridge? And what are your thoughts on scenery and accessories for a temporary layout?

Twice-Around 072 LayoutTwice-Around O72 Layout - Copy

Scarm file is attached if you would like to take a look at the file for yourself. Note that the engine yard off-side and some of the inner yard trackage are not complete as I hit the 100-piece track limit.

Attachments

Images (2)
  • Twice-Around 072 Layout
  • Twice-Around O72 Layout
Files (1)
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Grade?

Grades are 3% and 3.5%

@Dan65train posted:

For a "temporary" floor layout I would think it would be better to just put a 30 or 45 degree crossover into the "around the room twice" loops than try having a "over/under" No grades to worry about, mounting the piers, and easily upgraded/ changed for future plans if all on one level.  My 2 cents

One of the bonuses of the bridge is that I think I could run two trains on the outer loop. I can't have too many freight cars but I don't have super long trains to begin with, so it's not an issue. Introduce a crossover and now there's liability for collisions if there's more than one on the same track.

I should note here that this is not a layout that I disassemble and store at intervals, but is one I leave out. The reason I call it temporary is that I am using this layout as a holdover until I can get space for a more formal layout with benchwork, etc. Until then I don't want to heavily invest in a permanent layout that I know will end up getting scrapped and redone later on.

Add Reply

Post
The Track Planning and Layout Design Forum is sponsored by

AN OGR FORUM CHARTER SPONSOR

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×