So after a few responses from my original post New Garage Layout Suggestions. I started thinking that I may be taking on a little more than I can chew on a first layout. So I decided to tone it back for now and go a little simpler to get my feet wet. I wanted to have at least 24 radius turns with a min 22 so I could run some passenger if I chose to, plus I think my other trains will run better as well. So I took a track plan from Atlas Layout HO 15 “Minimum-Size Twice Around” and just expnded it out to handle 24 inch radiuses. Looks like a 5.5x9 layout which I think I will just run flat for now and get a hang of the wiring and just enjoy running trains. Then if I like the layout start adding scenery but if not I have a large enough table to make something different and possibly add down the other wall of my garage a “L” to go bigger.
Anyway, does this look like a good plan or is there something I am missing that could be more interesting for this layout size. Also sorry for the delayed responses from me. I still am having to wait for moderators to approve every post so far, so I am at their mercy.
Here is my track plan.
I don’t see why you couldn’t make this track plan work although that’s a lot of unused real estate in the center. Keep in mind that the 5.5 foot depth will require that you have easy access to at least three sides of the layout, both for construction and operation (we’d all be likely to forget to realign that back switch from time to time causing derailments). Truly easy access will require at least 30" of clear space between the layout and everything else. This would be a total area at least 11.5 feet long by 10.5 feet wide for access to only three sides. If you find you have to move the layout and/or stuff around it just to gain access, you’re likely to get frustrated and lose interest quickly. If this really is your first layout, I would take another look at some of the MR project layouts of the last few years. Some of these (including the Beer Line layout) will take you through the intermediate level of modeling plus support operating sessions that are much more fun than just running trains around the layout. Good luck!
You don’t say how much of your space is devoted to people. If there is plenty of “people space” around this layout, it should be fairly easy to operate because of good access. But if you have that much space in the first place, it might be even better to expand the layout into that surrounding space and operate from an open center area. The wasted space, referred to above, now becomes your operating area, and your layout can become bigger, occupying the space that would have surrounded the original plan. This redesign could provide even broader curves.
Tom
Hi Tom,
This is basically going to be in a corner of my garage so an “L” shape layout. I do plan on putting the benchwork on wheels to allow me to roll it out some to get behind it. I am also 6’5" so reach farther in shouldnt be a problem, but I would prefer not to, hence the wheels. As far as people it will mainly be just my son and I, so moving around won’t be a problem. When it is all said and done I probably have room for a 10 foot long back of the garage and 12 foot down the side and the ability to have up to 6 feet deep which would mainly be the areas at the ends to turnaround. As far as the open area in the middle, I know I can add a small yeard there, which I might, but I also may completely change it before I do that. Just wanting to get my feet wet with a layout that is fun for a while then start the design of the more permanent one which would be larger.
Rob
Thanks for the reply Hornblower and I will check out the Beer Line Layout.
Rob
