Finalized Layout Plan Takes Shape! (Long!)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
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The Cedar Branch & Western, Episode II
A New Line

Thanks for taking time to look over my layout plan. (click on “A New Line”) Your comments are welcome. You can click on any of the colored words below for a related picture.

When I started designing my layout, I had several objectives in mind:

  1. The line was to be a small short line operating in the Ozark Mountains.
  2. The railroad would incorporate my present equipment and many current structures.
  3. It would provide point to point operation with a continuous run option.
  4. The Missouri Pacific Lines would have run-through rights, thus access and interchange.
  5. The length of the railroad would provide for long runs between two or three towns.
  6. A staging yard (out of sight) and an interchange yard were a must.
  7. There would enough industries for all my favorite cars to have destinations without turning into a giant industrial complex.
  8. Each town would have its own “flavor” and related industries.
  9. Adequate engine facilities must be present for my short line to park and display the small fleet.
  10. One or more small branch spurs off the main were desired, possibly belonging to current or former shortlines themselves.
  11. The layout could be dismantled for moving.

This plan is the efforts of three years of doodling, photographing, traveling, rail fanning, visiting layouts, and deciphering what I really wanted in a layout of my own. After many wasted sheets of paper and worn out pencils, I finally met my objectives and produced my dream layout. It is heavily influenced by the long gone [url=“http://www.railimages.com/albums/album368/aag.sized.jpg”] Arkansas & Ozarks Railroad[

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Cool, insight… I love reading stuff like this… good luck!!

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Looks great! Glad to see I’m not the only dinosaure useing grid paper and colored pens.[8D][:o)]

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loather, it’s much easier to erase a pencil mark or use some liquid paper than to figure out how to computer edit! [:D]

Dock_661, thank you.

By the way, did anyone notice that the colored words are clickable hyperlinks to pictures? [?]

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great concept , well thought out history and combo of fictional/real geographic location

good mainline , you got a nice long run twice around the layout , and decent distance between major towns

i’m guessing this is an ‘island’ layout with walking space all the way around it . other wise you’d never be able to reach over some of the scenery

i’d probably throw in a couple more small industries on the mainline , you’ll need the revenue [:)]

i’m not seeing the continous run option , does it go through hidden staging ?

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Hi, ereimer! Yes, the layout is an island. I tried to give myself 2 1/2 feet on the tightest sides. I put the height at 3 1/2 feet so I could reach across to the center. My current layout ended up being way too high once the track hit the mountains.

I think you are right on the industries! I’m betting that some more will crop up as I build. [;)]

In answer to the continuous run question- yes, it goes through the Missouri Pacific yard at Gastons Switch and ducks into the hidden staging. I’m afraid I didn’t mark the hidden stage very well on the diagram.

For the continuous run, I figure I’ll let a medium length Mopac train circle the layout while I try to move a CB&W local against it and switch each town while ducking out of the way. Each town has a passing siding, so this should add realism. [dinner]