Scarm Layout Design Help

Jack,

First question is where is the door or access point?  Also, any windows or closets, or any places that will require future access like electric box?

What are the overall dimensions of the space, max width and length?

An around the room will generally give you the longest mainline without having to cross over itself.  Passing sidings will allow for bi-directional operations.

Do you have a theme in mind and a period?  Perhaps branchline operations in upper NY with an interchange with NYC for additional traffic.

Just some thoughts to get started.

Jan

There is an open wall at the bottom end, but no other important access areas.  Unfortunately I don'y have the exact dimensions, but they should be perfect on the file I attached to the post.  Around the walls would be great, and I'm open to all other ideas.  I don't need a branchline, but that is not off the table.  Thank you so much for helpin' me out.

Oh, and my theme modern, 1990-Now.

I will be running Montana rail link stuff.

I can settle for O54, if it makes a difference

O54 around the walls kinda!    Russ

Not bad!! Thank you!

##Liked and following "Hoping to learn this journey with you. I am still toss down all the track and see what I can make work on the carpet." 

Plan... Plan?? wow, new concept, for me. Great, now i gotta find layout planner.

<salute> thanks for sharing the journey

It is a tough process indeed!!  And of course you always need 10x the space you have.  I took this same room layout and used HO track instead...WOW!! I could fit so much more.  Anyways...I’m workin’ hard to find a solution to my lack of space.  Attic, basement, even considering and outdoor layout next to my pool.

Hi Jack,

here's my offering for that space. This is all Ross track and switches. O64 & O54 double line, reversing and alternate routes. 24" wide tables around the wall.

Just needs crossovers and sidings or a passing siding.

The Ross builds better or it fits better in this space because they offered wyes in O54. That enabled me to put in the reversing circle complex.

There's some straights and half-curves that need to be cut from sectional, but that's no big deal. You can get Ross ready switches to work with any command system or just conventional.

Some pics and file attached.  Let me know if you want to develop it further. Right-click the SCARM file to "save as" to your machine.

Moonman posted:

Hi Jack,

here's my offering for that space. This is all Ross track and switches. O64 & O54 double line, reversing and alternate routes. 24" wide tables around the wall.

Just needs crossovers and sidings or a passing siding.

The Ross builds better or it fits better in this space because they offered wyes in O54. That enabled me to put in the reversing circle complex.

There's some straights and half-curves that need to be cut from sectional, but that's no big deal. You can get Ross ready switches to work with any command system or just conventional.

Some pics and file attached.  Let me know if you want to develop it further. Right-click the SCARM file to "save as" to your machine.

Awesome design!  I will probably use that as a template now and see what I can do with it. Thanks!

Hi again Jack,

Here's another thought - if you want something of large radius and perhaps more scenery - look at the Bear Holmes layout in the Atlas O Layouts page.

This is an 8 x 35 oval. There are ways to make it interesting operationally, like an angled crossover with a yard lead or service spurs off of it. The mainlines running unattended around a nice sceniced oval is not boring with a few track tricks added.

Looking at the shape of your area, you can fit a really long pinched oval or kidney shape as mainline. Again, I used Ross as they offer sectional in O128 diameter. This is O128 and O96.

So, not knowing how you access the area or the layout, I offer this idea.

Here is my latest work, but I would like advice on where to put an intermodal small yard.  Thanks!

From 10 o'clock to 1 o'clock the track is to close to the wall. There is a small straight at 1 o'clock that may provide enough spacing, by the switch area at 10 o'clock will be a little trickier.

I think a switch at 4 o'clock on the far right wall leading down that wall would be a good entrance for the yard. There is 8'-9' there to work with.

Why don't you try all O72 if you really want Atlas track. Then,  the switches will drop into the curves

Intermodal yard  Most of an intermodal yard is storage and port unloading. Google some ports and look at some of the rail photos for ideas. UP and BNSF have some large intermodal handling yards.

Worked hard this week to finalize this layout plan!  It has two large loops and a small industrial yard in a compact and concise design.  Hopefully I will be able to get the track order by the end of next week (as my local atlas dealer is right next to where one of our cars is getting worked on.)  Any comments or suggestions?

Here is the file and the pictures!

Looks good! it seems the space dimensions are a little different.

There is space for another pair of #5 crossovers on the west side and a long passing loop from the south to west off of the inner loop. Could park a third complete train on it.

They would be some good expansion projects.

There is an uncoupling track in the Atlas library if you are going to cut build in the yard. ...put those in the plan

reach to the yard could be a pain...

If a train comes out of the yard traveling clockwise and goes into the inner loop, there is no way to get out unless it backs out. Suggest you add another crossover somewhere using LH switches.

Moonman posted:

Looks good! it seems the space dimensions are a little different.

There is space for another pair of #5 crossovers on the west side and a long passing loop from the south to west off of the inner loop. Could park a third complete train on it.

They would be some good expansion projects.

There is an uncoupling track in the Atlas library if you are going to cut build in the yard. ...put those in the plan

reach to the yard could be a pain...

I will try to incorporate those ideas today, expect another final correction later.

Ok, like Raymond Loewy, I can never leave well enough alone.

taking up all of the space for a 17" wide yard seemed awkward. I tried getting the yard as a peninsula in the center. The angles that leave good walking room are hard to access from the inner main. (Layout file yard move)

I was concerned about the track clearance spacing in the south near the bridge. Close to corner coming off of bridge. I shortened the mains on both sides to pull it up 1", yellow tracks. 10" s out 2 - 4.5" s in.

Moved on to putting a passing siding in from south to north (clockwise running) and split the yard up into passing, two spurs and one spurs. It crowds the west side, but functions.

added in the second left hand #5 crossovers.(layout file -layout 06.17.17)

Ponder those and see what you think.

Moonman, I really appreciate all the help you have put in to this project.  Thank you so much!!  I have chosen to stick with the plan I posted above.  I have added the uncouplers in the yard, but I skipped out on the siding and second crossover.  I though they were excessive for my operation.  Thank you to everyone who helped out on this thread.  It is very appreciated!!

Jack,

I am glad you found something that you like. Tossing out ideas helps one focus on what you want.

Just be careful of that clearance area near the bridge in the south. The 4.5" s fix that easily.

Show us some pics of the build, if you can.

I will start a new thread soon on the new layout.  Possibly a youtube series