Getting ready to build my first model railroad. I’m decided to base my layout on Pelle Soeborg’s plan featured in the Nov and Dec Model Railroader plus the new book. My layout space is technically unlimted (unfinished basement), but I move every 3-4 years or so my plan needs to be transportable and be able to fit in a 2-car garage if no basement is available at the next house. So I decided my layout space will be 20’ X 10’. Instead of drawing out the entire plan, I included drawings of the tackage that I plan to use. The towns are real towns found along the Missouri Pacific in where I am from. I have many pictures of the trackage and industires. One plan is more open for trackside scenery while the other is more towns/trackage in the area. BTW I model 1979 in HO.
Reasons why for the Blue Rapids/Waterville track.
more open/more rural scenery.
towns can be closer to real size.
have a non-city scenery focal point (large bridge).
more for watching trains.
I’m from . I know the last regular station agent from .
Have more pictures and can get more as the track is abandoned in place.
Reasons for Barnes/Greenleaf/Linn track.
more towns/industries (though compressed more)(track is removed)
small yard in Greenleaf (was at the time I model a junction point for a 10 mile branch line)
Geenleaf is considered a passing track which BR/W plan does not offically have
more for operation/switching
Prototype trains ran at this time were normally 75-100 cars. Super short trains (have a picture of 5 locomotives and about 5 cars) were not uncommon. The Mopac would move just about anything (# of cars) as long as it would mean business for the railline. Usually 2-3 locos.&n
Obermeyerm, I’m really glad you’ve decided what you want to model. Without the plan, there isn’t much we can tell you. However, you have given the dimensions as 10x20. I would recommend increasing the width to 11 or 12 ft if possible. Pelle’s layout is 11 feet wide. and the aisles range between 2.5 and 3 ft. Typically, this is good for one person, but can become difficult for 2 to pass. Taking off the 1 fot will narrow your aisles even more, so widening the layout will allow you more spacious and comfortable aisles. Good luck,
OK, lets try this again. I noticed in Pelle’s plan that Daneville is 3 feet wide. If I take 1 foot off of there I should be good (plan to make it roughly 18inches so I gain a little more on the aisle. The Donner River Canyon side will be open to that side so I will not worry about the aisle width there.
Ah, I misunderstood your original post and that you are choosing between 2 different arrangements. I would say that you are better off with the Blue Rapids/Waterville plan because I think three major cities/towns cannot work on Pelle’s design due to the simple fact of each area’s proximity and the front of the train would be in one city with the end in another based on the length you’ve decided. However, the passing siding is a really big plus. They are probably the eastiest way to double operation. How far are you willing to use Modeler’s license? What changes to reality are you willing to make, such as official passing siding locations? Good luck,
I think I can use the Blue Rapids track as a passing siding (same side as the track to the elevator). In real life it was a long siding. I was leaning the same way with the BR/H2Oville track and what you said about too much in too little space is what I was thinking. I can do more rural scenery and have the towns closer to real life size. Plus I can build it to a higher detail once the track is in. Thank you for the assistance.
