Advice for a modular layout aorund my hobby room

David, without Rule #1 I just might not bother to partake in this hobby!

Regards, Chris

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Iā€™ve been following all this with interest. As a suggestion, would it make sense to have the tracks (single track, no scenery) running across the side and back of the workbench? Then the areas on the left side (looking from the door) of the workbench would be available for small industrial areas. With any 2-level design, looks like itā€™ll be point-to-point, and perhaps youā€™ll need a small turntable at each end to turn the engine.

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I have mounted shelves support and dry-mounted frames. After a ripening process, I think it could be scenery around most of the shelves. The shelves are 16" wide and 24" wide one one wall. On top of the frames, Im thinking supports with plywood on top. Im planning to cut the plywood with round corners so it doesnt look so square. Before that I will mount backdrops about 16" high around the shelves.

So its back to lay out planning now that most of the play area is defined. Less is more but it has to be some stops along the route to make it fun to play. I need to add a timber industry. A yard seems difficult.

Are the port-tracks conseptually realistic? It supposed to be around 1960-1970 before containerships arrived
The area where the station is (at the moment) is a little difficult to figure out. Some curves there and a short distance.




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Yes its a good idea. I came to that a helix takes up to much space and that I should start with a easier layout. It still a option, when the first level is done but that could take some time.

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you might consider some of these ideas

unnamed

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I like that, gregc.

I am looking to alter my layout a little the plan fit in to my idea.

Many thanks

David

This thread has gotten pretty long, and maybe the OP has changed his mind along the way, but at the outset he was looking for an all around the room layout. gregā€™s layout proposal is interesting, but the OP may not want a point-to-point layout.

Rich

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Inspiration is good. OperationManager still has the same conseptual idea with a mainline going around the room with operations along the way. But it could still have a point-to-point consept - or - maybe the bridge across the door reduces some solutions and a point-to-point will give more.
My ambition is
*1960-1970s
*Station with goods and engine shed
*Port with goods, oil/chemicals/petroleum, crane
*Timber industry
*Tunnel
*Bridge
*Staging or yard

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Gregs link to Bryon Hendersons appreciation of Andy Sperandeos San Jacinto District does have merit, after all I have great respect for both gentlemen, but Iā€™m not sure that it is applicable or appropriate for Marius.

OK so the San Jacinto was designed to go into a smaller room, 9 foot x 12 foot but it wasnā€™t designed to compete with a workshop and storage space for other projects.

I see that Marius has come up with his ā€œgivens and druthersā€/ ambitions while Iā€™m in the process of writing this, but donā€™t really think that it has much bearing on his latest track plan.

As with most of us, Marius has had to make compromises, for what itā€™s worth Iā€™m pleased that he has chosen one level around the room. As Iā€™ve previously mentioned, in My opinion, the helix took up too much room and construction of a round the room nolix was not worth the effort for the very limited additional operating opportunities.

While I canā€™t zoom in close enough to confirm it, I have to congratulate Marius for his foresight in putting the bench work on height adjustable shelving supports., though I hope he doesnā€™t have to do much adjustment. (though much higher and Taildragger Tunnel will be ready made. :smile:)

As for the track plan, I like that Marius will be able to have trains just circulate yet have the ability to carry out operations.
However, Iā€™m wondering if the passing siding on the left hand wall could be further extended allowing for a longer siding to serve another couple of industries, and a short siding on the right hand wall to allow for a small industry there? Though, perhaps Iā€™m falling for the common fault of model railroaders to try and cram more into an already confined space! Less is Best!!

Have Fun, Marius, and I hope youā€™ll keep us up to date with progress as time and circumstance permits.
Cheers, the Bear. :slightly_smiling_face:

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Yes, exactly.

Rich

Sperandeoā€™s plan could easily be made continuous by connecting the track in the corner. The pennisula provide more trackage with relatively little space required.

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Awaiting the OPā€™s reply. My guess is that he still wants continuous running.

Rich

I agree with the last speaker and blow where the wind goesā€¦Im a novice and guidance is needed. My track knowledge and how to play with trains are limited to reading magazines and forums. Though there are thousands of exisiting plans in magazines and internet, its all-consuming finding the right one. I know that centrifuge the trains round and round the room will be boring but fascinating to watch a couple of rounds now and then. I would prefer a continous track but if I then miss the best track plan -which would be point to point, I probably would be pursuaded.

I see that the bridge across the door stops the possibitly for end stations on both sides. End stations could give both extra yard and - a station/industry.

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Not necessarily boring. Scenery and screening can play a big role. Also, if you have space for a double mainline, the fun increases. If you can find a way to add a reversing section, trains can move in one direction and then switch to the other direction. Lots to think about and plan around.

Rich

Is your available space roughly 15ā€™ x 22.5ā€™?

Or, am I reading your original diagram incorrectly?

Rich

According to the calcultator

The room is
179 inch x 192 inch
or
13,5 ft x 15ft

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Ok, thanks. I want to try and work something up for your consideration.

Rich

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Thank you! :grinning:

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I agree with this! Especially since this is your first layout, thereā€™s nothing more satisfying to begin than to finally watch a train run around the layout. Lots of other things can be added.

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Not necessarily. You could easily have stations at each end AND have a bridge across the doorway for when you want to be able to just let trains run. Just because you have a bridge there, doesnā€™t mean you have to use it. Nothing wrong with having a point-to-point layout with a continuous run connection for when you just want to let trains run.

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