My first layout - Please comment

[Annonymous]

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[Texas_Zephyr]

Over all I like it. My comment is that is a lot of hidden track. It is hidden in such a way that it might be difficult to access.

[Anonymous]

I have been an armchair modeller for many years, but finally I have come to the point that I have started planning my first “permanent” layout. I would very much appreciate any comments and suggestions about improving my layout plan, which is (temporarily) published at http://home.no.net/svam1940/layout/.

If this works out well, I plan to publish my efforts (and blood, sweat and tears) on my future homepage which is dedicated to all the amazing craftmanship of railroad modelling all around the world (wish me luck:-))

Feel free to mail me at svein.amundsen@tertitten.com

Mvh
Svein Amundsen
Norway

I see two potential problems at first glance. If this is HO (otherwise the comments may not apply); your minimum radius is too small (I calculate 14+“) and your grades too steep. Depending on your engines and rolling stock; 15” may be the absolute minimum radius; with 18" being a “good” minimum radius. Most engines will not climb a 5% grade, much less pull a short train up it. A “safe” grade is 2% with 3% being difficult for most engines and trains.

[Annonymous]

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[Annonymous]

Content removed due to a completely fucked up and incompetent Kalmbach customer service.

[IRONROOSTER]

Another concern (in addition to the others above) is that you have only one reversing loop. Eventually, all your trains wind up going in one direction. Or you have to back them through the loop which is hidden, on a grade, and has a curved turnout - all of which make derailments in hard to get at places. I would eliminate the reversing loop and save two hidden turnouts. Otherwise looks like a good plan.
Enjoy
Paul

[SpaceMouse]

Another concern (in addition to the others above) is that you have only one reversing loop. Eventually, all your trains wind up going in one direction. Or you have to back them through the loop which is hidden, on a grade, and has a curved turnout - all of which make derailments in hard to get at places. I would eliminate the reversing loop and save two hidden turnouts. Otherwise looks like a good plan.
Enjoy
Paul

Paul has made a good point. I have a hidden turnout and it has been a pain.

Whether or not it is a good plan depends on how well it fits your vision. If hidden staging is your goal, you can have greater efficiency, easier access and wider turns by putting a scenic divider down the center of your layout and doing your switching in the front. Instead of scheduling two trains then, you can run four or five.

[Annonymous]

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[SpaceMouse]

I can begin to imagine some future problems in that area, that’s for sure. Thanks guys, I didn’t think of it that way:-)

The reason I have only one loop is that I originally planned for this layout to be part of a bigger point-to-loop layout (with another station or a fiddle yard on the future extension), with small operating sessions somewhat like this:

A freight train departures from the end station and makes a few rounds before stopping at the station to pick up and set out cars. A passenger train, who is placed on the hidden passing track also arrives at the station, making it a bit more challenging. The freight continues its run, pulls into the loop and stops, making it possible for another freight to enter the layout from the end station. When the passenger train returns to its hidden track, the first freight can continue its run back to the end station where the cars are rearranged for the next session…

This is why I made the suggestion of splitting your layout. The switching portion of your layout will fit nicely on one side of the divider. The other side can be a 4 or 5 track yard for staging. You could then switch more trains in a session than the two trains you have envisioned and have a larger radius track to work with. Plus none of the track will be difficult to access.

Look at Harold’s layout.

While this is not exactly what I mean, notice that you can have switching on one side and staging on the other. OR…

You can have two scenes and one is the staging for the other.

[Annonymous]

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[SpaceMouse]

about getting around the layout, why not let the layout get around me…

Yes, when you look at your situation, a shelf layout around the walls can often be a much better use of space. Don’t be afraid to go over or behind your furniture. Be creative with your space. Your storage can go under the layout. Your desk can go in the center of the left wall with a one-track bridge to the other walls. There are a lot of possibilities.

There is also the posibility that if you put your desk in the same room as your layout you’ll play more than work. [;)]

[Annonymous]

Content removed due to a completely fucked up and incompetent Kalmbach customer service.