new layout

looks like a great track plan!

Great track plan. How will you access the areas that can't be reached from the open sides?

Hey Train Man,

I am not sure if this track plan would allow a second level.  What they don't explain with these designs is the operation scheme.

A theme is hinted at in the explanation - this track plan is intended for operations running. When you look at the position of the yards and the interchange complex at the bottom, it starts to become clear that one train has to run Counter-Clockwise and the other in a Clockwise direction to allow backing into all of the yard spurs.

Now, the builder has to make up the story. Are you picking up from producers? Are you delivering to customers? Do you want to do both?

Oh, by the way, don't get upset if the fit is not exact. Many of these book plans are not fitted. There's a 1/2"-5/8" floating around in this track plan.

If you absolutely had to have a second level, I would make it a separate loop, running between the yard and the city/industry spurs from 8 o'clock to 2 o'clock on trestles and over the 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock on surface putting that area in a tunnel.

Here's a 3D of the plan and two of a 2nd level added (Mostly an O54 loop)  You can see that it still leaves room for buildings and scenery around the spurs and the yard.

MarkVB posted:

Great track plan. How will you access the areas that can't be reached from the open sides?

thanks for looking...after I get all track down ill see were I can put some pop up hatches

Moonman posted:

Hey Train Man,

I am not sure if this track plan would allow a second level.  What they don't explain with these designs is the operation scheme.

A theme is hinted at in the explanation - this track plan is intended for operations running. When you look at the position of the yards and the interchange complex at the bottom, it starts to become clear that one train has to run Counter-Clockwise and the other in a Clockwise direction to allow backing into all of the yard spurs.

Now, the builder has to make up the story. Are you picking up from producers? Are you delivering to customers? Do you want to do both?

Oh, by the way, don't get upset if the fit is not exact. Many of these book plans are not fitted. There's a 1/2"-5/8" floating around in this track plan.

If you absolutely had to have a second level, I would make it a separate loop, running between the yard and the city/industry spurs from 8 o'clock to 2 o'clock on trestles and over the 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock on surface putting that area in a tunnel.

Here's a 3D of the plan and two of a 2nd level added (Mostly an O54 loop)  You can see that it still leaves room for buildings and scenery around the spurs and the yard.

 

thank you so much for the drawings...yes I did have to make small sections of track to finish the mainlines...as for story,i guess id like to do both...love the look of the second level......think ill also do a subway scene under the table .....would love to do more..just have limited space...I do have another 8 x 8 to the right of layout that I can always add on...just thought this was a good start...again..thanks so much for your input and skill with software..i tried it...not a good turn out...lol

yes, the software takes time to learn. I you have the Atlas software, I can send you the file. In the meantime, here's a pdf printed from the software with the track plan.

The grid is 6". The 2nd level is O54, except for the 6 to 9 o'clock turn, which is O72 to create a smoother turn of the train on the most visible curve.

How will you access the center of the layout to work and make repairs, etc.?

coming along  got some ballast and scenery done...also completed second mainline...also found a engine repair house at trainland..

Follow-up - on the Atlas software - I spoke to  the author - Atlas has the new software, but has not put it up on their website yet - look for version ATPS v1.0.0

Moonman posted:

Follow-up - on the Atlas software - I spoke to  the author - Atlas has the new software, but has not put it up on their website yet - look for version ATPS v1.0.0

 

 

 

thanks pal  

Forgot to add - the Atlas software will have no track count limit - but Atlas track only - it would permit compatibility with the SCARM 1.0.0 files if Atlas track was used.

Anyway - tested a way to be able to get to a second level - this has a 2.8% slope and would require a table 8'6" wide. But, then the second level would cover a lot of first level.

You can see that the climb doesn't clear the back outer line.

Track done.  Time for ballast and scenery 

You certainly got after it!

may I suggest putting down some base ground color as the next step. latex paint , around the track, now.

Choose a color that is close to area that you modeling.

Then, you don't have 100% with scenic material and it looks more realistic. Look at your yard or a lot somewhere.

In some areas, you may want to use multiple colors, blended while wet.  There is dirt or sand showing. Benjamin Moore #1122 Cocoa Sand was recommended by a modeling book author. Look at the color charts with it for darker or lighter shades. That may give you some ideas.

Check out the first video in this post - Christmas Train Display in North Bloomfield. From 00:17 to about 00:50 you can see the long table being painted. They actually used whatever colors they found. Just put it down. Then, take a look at one of the finished layout videos.

You can see that just the ground color paint can look ok. it looks much better than say a 100% grass mat.