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What to do ...

Medicine ManMedicine ManOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
I am re-posting this message from the main forum at the suggetion of other forum members. The original thread and responses can be found
HERE

I'm sure many others have been in this situation. After years and many layouts at various homes, I think I finally figured out what my big layout problem is. I am "stuck" in an old mindset, and keep trying to build something with all the traps that "I'm used to".

I'm stuck in the box. Literally. I keep building 4 x 8 tables and putting them together, just like I remember when I was a kid. I'm constantly boxed in. This is by no means a small layout, as I am up to at least 13 of those surfaces connected, but I keep connecting the rectangles and stay disappointed with the results. No wonder. It finally dawned on me that as I look at the really nice layouts folks have posted so many pictures of, that the look has a lot to do with just using the wood you need under the tracks. Not the square look of tables, but rounded, custom cut bases that take care of the need and give the best look.

I guess I have that bad old habit that's more of a 50's post war kind of thinking. It depends on what you want in the end, because those traditional table looks are done very well is a lot of cases. It's just not where I want to be anymore, and it's time for some new thinking - to find my way out of the boxes. What I am learning in the process is that I just have a hard time thinking that way. I am a creature of habit, and keep repeating the same old things with the same old feelings of disappointment.

But as I thought about this, I get the sense that I can't be alone - hence this post, and my request for feedback to see what others have done to get out of the trap. I have mostly done perimiter layouts in previous homes. Build along the walls, going all the way around. It works, but this time I wanted to be able to walk around, yet have the big layout as I dreamt it. I'm just not happy with it and it has me so stuck I refused to do the landscaping or continue with lighting and accessories, etc. The basement is big enough to do things either way, so as I think about some major reconstruction, I have some options.

The thing about perimeter layouts is you can have a nice open middle area, and "walk into' the middle of the layout. That draws the visitor in, and allows great access to everything. Right now, I can walk around, or crawl under a small gap, affording me access to a long 2 foot walkway in the middle. That's a pain, and I'm just to old to put up with the crawl anymore. A big open middle with large swooping turns at either end seems like a better plan. As I was tinkering with RRT software, it really occured to me for the first time that I am trapped by the 8 x 4 table concept. If I am building a curve-back with O-72 and maybe O-81 track, that meant I drew a pair of big tables for the long sweeping curves. Tons of square lost space results from that thinking.

So - my "ask" is, how do I get out of the box. What did some of you need to do to break the trap? I really do NOT want to hire a layout builder, and I can cut some wood. Thanks in advance!
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cngwcngwOGR Forum Member
Boy I wish I could help, and also want you to tell me the answer if you find it. I am 65 and of that "4 x 8" era also.

The layout you see here........ Christmas 2012 layout from the top to the bottom, is what I wound up with. Not bad.

But consider I started out to have a "U" with two 4x8 wings on the left and right, connected with a 2' x 12' foot section along the wall that connected those wings to make the U.

Does it look like I even came close!!??? (I did have 2 "holes"/access areas. But you can see, I covered those up in the final product...though they are both easy to get to if needed.)

Let me know the answer to your question if/when you find it! Greg
Medicine ManMedicine ManOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Here is the current track layout, which is missing my two O-54 elevated subway lines and subway yard.

I really had no idea this layout forum existed - looks like I have a lot of reading to do here. There are some really amazing layouts and ideas for building. Yikes! - I have much to learn. And it really looks like everyone has their priorities set to be in a finished area. I really didn't want to "finish" the basement, so now I really have to think that through. The reason I placed my layout in the middle of the room was to leave doing the walls as an option later if I wanted to. There is a minimum 2 foot walk-around, but most of it is 3 foot wide.

ChessieFan72ChessieFan72OGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by Medicine Man:

A big open middle with large swooping turns at either end seems like a better plan.


Frank, what is the purpose of the layout? Is it just for sitting back and watching trains run, or do you plan it to be interactive? What kind of scenery do you plan to do? Is it just the benchwork you want to change, or do you also want to change the track design?

If you want to keep your current layout, you might want to consider building a section of the layout can be lifted out for you to pass through to the middle. No more ducking under the layout.
FM Former Member
Maybe visiting (or joining) some local model train clubs would get your
creative juices flowing. Might help you define what you want most in
a layout of your own: lots of continuous action, realistic operations,
scenery-heavy or track-heavy, a particular era or geography or season.
Nobody else can make those choices for you.
DD D & D RAILWAYOGR Forum Member
Medicine. After 2 years of planning, reading, and day-dreaming, I'm ready to lay the first tracks. I have a couple of thoughts. 1) There is probably no way my layout will ever match what is in my head in terms of beauty, and over-all "train dream-scape". So I suspect there is, or will be a slight sense of let down, maybe that's what you are experiencing as a more experienced RR-er. 2) One "trap" is the use of long curves. I understand there is some big rolling stock out there, and no doubt 80 degree curves are pretty, but they really lock- you-down in terms of layout possibilities. I've redesigned from 72's and 80's curves because it ate all of the room up, and didn't leave much room for anything else. I've got some really nice features with 048, and 036 curves. yes it limits stock size, but at the end of the day it's about scenery and runnin the trains. I ran the trains around the 072 curves and they were back in front of me pretty quick, so I'm going for interest. Large layout, tight(er) curves added a lot of interest in my opinion. Thanks for listening. JA
Medicine ManMedicine ManOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Here is what I am thinking.... this is the right side only. My plan is to run realistic operations. I would like to move the turntable and roundhose more to the center left and use the left end for a loop back of the two mains. I left the existing table footprints in place at the left to show the space I have. I am willing to cut back the mains from 4 to 3 lines, but preserve the subways is some version of a third tier. The second tier can be a secondary freight line with a loop at either end with some kind of grade switching off back to the two lower level mains.

Thinking here is that although I might want something realistic, my guests and visitos will want to see continuous loop running. I will also want to add a staging yard for passenger sets, so that I can pull passenger trains out into freight lines as would happen in the real world. Of course, the freights will need sidings to get out of the way. The passenger train staging could double as a passenger station. still need a freight yard and subway yards somewhere.

The challenge is the loop back on the right side, which I think I might have accomplished in the drawing. I have the space, I just dont have the savvy to get a plan done. I really want to do the hands on work myself, but not good at coming up with a plan.



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