New Layout

When I started my layout here in my new house, I had similar expectations.  I wanted a long mainline so I could run 50 car trains and not have them look silly.  What I ended up with is a 23 x 12 layout with a folded dogbone mainline that is over 130 feet of track.  I have several other smaller loops that can be run independently or be accessed from the mainline.  The main table level track is down, working on the grade in the back.  Trains come up, go around the elevated loop and then down the other track around the turntable and another loop under the elevated loop and back around and up to complete one lap.  The elevated loop will have an inner loop that can run independently as well as an independent lower inside loop. The while lines in the foreground are the Mianne power lift-bridge.

Maybe some ideas here?

You can start by sketching out a 24" to 30" wide table around the walls of the room, with a drawbridge or drop down section at the door. You will also have to allow for access to the furnace area, which may affect the type of train table you design around the furnace. You may even be able to run a single main line track behind the furnace if there is room.

This train table layout phase will give you an idea to the isle width you will have, and the ability to reach all areas on the train table. This reach access is needed to build and maintain the layout, track structures, scenery, cleaning of the track and scenery, fixing derailments, etc.

This will also help determine if you will have room for a double main line, or possibly a twice around the room main line, which would give you a very long main line run.

Once you have a rough train table concept, you can start playing with the main line track plan. After that, you can look for options on where to put "the yard", industrial spurs and buildings/scenery.

Vitto - for what its worth - just some initial thoughts. I tried to look at your space thinking about having  at least one 072 loop. You could lay in a second main line parallel. With the entrance doors on the right side you will need space for visitors, this gives between 4 to 6 feet before getting into the layout. Above and below the doors would give you room for sidings and yards. The one below the doors could be a dock area or other industry. The area above the doors has a lot of room to play with - maybe a town with subway loop or trolleys. Since this is an around the room configuration the middle would be open.  There are possibilities for reversing loops.  If you can get away with tighter curves you shrink the curves by 20 inches, which gives a lot more room.  I am kind of thinking the long run adjoining the furnace could be sectional so could be moved out of the way if necessary. You could also work in a peninsula to take advantage of the large middle area. You have plenty of run for an elevation change. (scarm file is attached)

As I built my layouts, I found the curves took up way more space than I realized. And became the primary reason I bought Scarm - so I did not get halfway through laying track and benchwork and realize my design wouldn't work.

This is more than likely nowhere near where I will end up but after spending hours on SCARM, this is what I came up with so far.  I'm sure it has numerous flaws but it's a first attempt.  The area at the bottom by the shelves has to be clear to the extent of at least 3 feet, preferably 4.  Let me know your thoughts.  Thanks.

I did some modifying but this version will not have a spot for the drawbridge.  Any thoughts?

I think this is one that my son and I could enjoy as we could run two trains at the same time and also do some switching.  I will still need to do some work on the yard, add some sidings/spurs (not sure what they are called), and also make everything line up but I think something like this might work.  Does this look better than the first two?

So once again, I had to put time towards other things but I am back in model railroad mode.  I tried to follow the suggestion of ScoutingDad but the problem is where I have it labeled "32 inches". 

Here is one that i worked on for about 6 months when i had some time but i think it is not practical.  any thoughts on this one?

@Vitto  What curve diameters are you shooting for?  Those look below 042 inch.  Your previous post had a smallest curve around 052. I assume you have not built anything yet?  This has been a year already.

Why not try a simple double loop in the upper room and have a yard / industry track which extends along the top wall from the doors?  Nothing needs to be more than 2 feet deep, you could use almost any diameter track and everything could be re-used on a rebuild. That way you and your son can run trains and experience likes and dislikes for the next layout. And the CEO may approve of the smaller space requirement. ; )   If you keep table height at 42 inches, you could just do a duck / crawl under to reach the center.

I don't really have any specific curves in mind as I think everything I own will run on O36 and maybe even O31.  I do think the bigger the better but if I have to use O36 and it doesn't look as realistic as others, then I am ok with that.  One of my must haves is that I want to incorporate an old lionel drawbridge that my dad bought for me as a child.  Attached is a picture below along with the track plan for my old layout that had a lot of flaws but it worked for me (the drawbridge was at the crossing below the red piece of tape.  I have a special needs son and he loves to watch two trains go at once so that is another one of my must haves (hopefully).  I have put this off for way too long and I'm now motivated to get it done or at least moving along. 

Pictures didn't make it!

Chuck

Try again.

Somewhere along the line I thought you wanted 072. There is a lot more you can do with 036/031 given your space available.  My grandkids love dancing around in the center of my layout. Better yet for them a couple of toy cars and busses run along the track and on top of the bridges provide a lot of play action. The moving trains provide the backdrop.

after getting ideas from others here on the forum, here is my latest plan.  on this one, i could run two trains at once and most importantly it has a spot for the drawbridge.  unless i want to run always in one direction, i need to make an adjustment and i would also like some more for space for engines/parking cars as i have overbought throughout the years.

I will have to double and triple check my room measurements and add check again to make sure the grades are ok, but I think I'm getting closer.  Please provide comments.

I found after a complicated layout that simpler is better. No switches just a nice circle and town.

Also, I am older and it is difficult to get under the table so I use puck lights under the buildings…On off with remote..Cheap easy….No duck under…Did that, hated it…

@Bigboyrich I think I understand what your are saying but I want more that just watching the trains go around in circles.  Maybe I should put in a huge yard to hold a lot of the cars that I have.  Looks like I'm back to the drawing board.

so here is my latest and greatest.  somehow, someway, it's time to start buying track.  please let me know your thoughts as this one has the drawbridge that i so desire, can run two trains at once, and has some room for storage.  I went through all of my stuff and I have 13 locomotives and almost 150 cars.  I won't be able to put everything on the layout at once but that's ok because i will put some on the wall to exchange out from time to time and i also have some space for some buildings and other such items.  thank you. 

so i added to the layout all of the buildings/structures that i currently have just to see if they would fit and they do.  overall, i am happy with this layout unless someone tells me that it has too many flaws.  i will have to do a bridge that i can put on a hinge and that worries me but i'm sure it can be done.  i have the spaced all cleared but need to check on the electrical in the room.  please provide your comments and feedback.  thanks. 

Looks nice…Forgive my other comments, I’m just old.

Bigboyrich, of course you are forgiven as I respect all comments. 

Hi Vitto,

I don't use SCARM so I can't see details in your plan. However, just a quick glance leaves me the impression that there is more being crammed into the smaller area. Since that space is going to be a little less accessible I would try to plan for track and accessories in that are that don't need much attention. Maybe try moving the yard to the larger room, or start in the back and continue in to the front room. I like how you've left aisle space for accessing the shelves and furnace area.

You could eliminate one spur from the yard, expand the circle and put in a turntable?

I wish I would have put more planning into my layout. I have the doorway into my traincave, a bar and a fireplace to work around. I went with the largest curves I could do. I also had to leave space for a pub table and seating. I'll attempt to attach a picture when I get on my home tablet.

I have had a large layout with 12 switches, many of which were never used.

A helix which was a pain and too big. A duck under entrance which I would never have again. Big operating buildings, car wash, fire house, that took up too much space.

Try to have more running area and less switches…More scenery and fewer big structures. My humble opinion…Good luck. Everyone will have different ideas.

Just don’t get it too crowded or inaccessible….

Rich

so here is my thought process.  hopefully, it's not as crazy as it sounds.  the dog bone in the larger area will be set up to have a town with a train running around it.  maybe even be elevated a little bit so it sits higher than the smaller loop area.  the smaller loop area will hold the trains, meaning each of the four large dead ends will have an engine at the bumper on the far left with cars attached behind it in storage.  the little dead end will store an engine or two which will then be maneuvered up to the four way switch.  it will back in and grab a train of cars a pull away.  the engine in storage connected to the cars will disconnect and once the new connected engine pulls away with the cars, the old engine will be directed to the little dead end and put in storage for a future run.  as mentioned before, i have a son with special needs and i figure while one train is running around the town, we can be creating another train that will then travel to the town area, while the current train in the town area is then moved to storage.  this way while one train is running, we are setting up the next train to run.  we could also run the two trains in circles until we decided to set put one train in storage and set up a new train.  my though process says that adding a caboose will add some confusing and make it a challenge to set up the train properly.  I know its now how a traditional railroad is run, but i think for our needs, this will provide a lot of fun.  Is this thinking too far out of the box? Please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks.

RJShier.  Please attach a picture.  Also, I see your profile says Detroit 3-Railers.  Where abouts in the Detroit area are you?

I would like a turntable but that is a budget breaker.  Should I proceed with the plan or go back to the drawing board? 

Here is a OGR link to an easy to build, any size,  $10 homemade turntable (with pit), cost is no longer an excuse to not have a turntable!  With 13 locos you really will need a turntable and a $10 round house too.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1      

TT On Page 1, Post 9

RH On Page 1, Post 11

Charlie

ChooChooCharlie, thank you for the link but after reading post 9, i honestly don't think i could do a turntable by scratch. 

so after a year of going at it, this is where i'm leaning to try and do.  pricing this out comes to almost $3000 which is higher than what i wanted to spend but oh well.  should i be concerned about the area hi-lighted in blue with the S curve or should i just go for it?