I will soon have an empty room (15’ X 20’) for a HO layout. I am interested in modeling the Norfolk and Western (70’s - 80’s era) railroad, more specifically the Deepwater Div. I want to focus on the coal mining industry and I also want at least two yards on the layout which can offer a lot of switching and building trains etc. I want to be able to run a couple of trains at one time utilizing DCC. I plan on building a modular layout so that I can concentrate on a small section at one time. I would like to have a track plan which utilizes as much of my available space as possible. Any help or advice you can offer is greatly appreciated as this will be my first layout of any size.
the door will be on the front right side of room. I plan on utilizing a sliding door which actually slides inside the wall when open and also plan on having to duck under the layout to get into the room. Thanks
You have a good start in that you have a fair idea of what you want. There is an excellent tutorial on designing layouts on the Layout Design Special Interest Group’s website. Either Google it or maybe someone will point you to it. Make sure to research your structures so you know how much room you need to allow.
But basically, just get a good layout program, like the free XtraCAD, learn it and start laying track. Then post it here for comments.
my minimum radius is 20 for main track and 18 for yard. For switches on main line min. is #6 turnout and for yard min. is a #4 turnout. If you have any suggestions for the min. of each I would appreciate it. Thank you, Mike Pedri
[#ditto] With that much space I wouldn’t go anywhere near 18" curves. You will be much happier with a 24" even in the yards. For designing your layout you could try one of the many track planning programs available. I used this http://sandia.stores.yahoo.net/cadrail7demo.html. Once you get familiar with it it’s easy to use and the best part is, it’s free! Hope this helps!
You might want to reconsider the idea of two sizeable yards, unless one of them is going to be in hidden staging. A plan that may ultimately turn out to be more satisfying is to have one really complete yard, set up as a division point, with main line out of both ends to staging, and one or more branches from which those black diesels can collect what was called “Fuel Satisfaction” when the collectors were Y’s. A busy division point can easily provide enough work to keep two switch crews and an engine house hostler happily employed, and still clear enough trains to satisfy the road crews.
If you were modeling an earlier era on the N&W you could add a complication which makes my version of this schematic interesting - switching from combustion to electric power. Of course, the combustion power that yielded to motors through the original Elkhorn tunnel was steam
First, pick up a copy of Track Planning for Realistic Operation. It can’t be beat for ideas. With the space you have, I agree that 24" minimum radius should be considered. You can even go larger (~27") and still put in a turnback loop in the middle of the room to avoid the duckunder into the room. Believe me, that duckunder will get old fast. I also agree that a single (visible) yard makes sense. Yards eat up lots of real estate that can be put to better use modeling the rest of the division. Download a copy of 3rdPlanit’s demo software and start playing with ideas. It’s a great program that easy to learn quickly.
Like you I need to create a new layout, but I already have DCC. If you do not yet have a DCC System, get the Digitrax Super Chief it’s great. I’ve just pursuaded my Model Club (I’m secretary) to buy a Zephyr foor our DC or DCC layout after they wanted E-Z command which is too basic and wold mean all members changing loco addresses every time they brought locos to the club.
Mike, here is a good primer on yards from design to operation. Don’t miss the link on this page on the ten commandments of yard design. I used this a lot with help from many on this forum in doing my design.
You might want to re-consider your decision to enter the room through a duck-under. There may be alternatives that will make life easier but still allow the around-the-room capability that I guess you’re planning on. Since you’re already planning a modular layout, you might think seriously about a removeable section. Other possibilities would be a removeable bridge, a drop-down or even a Dutch door arrangement.
Always be aware when you’re planning a layout that the furthest reasonable “reach” distance is about 30 inches, and even that can be a stretch.
Here it is!This is it! It’s sectional not modular. You can still build it in small sections but they wont be interchangeable. The locations are also unnamed so you can call them what you want. If you use this plan be sure to post pics of the layout.
Chadw, I like the layout design and was wondering if you could send it to my email address so I can get a better view of the pictures as they are small and hard to read. I too am trying to design my own layout but I’m modeling a few years earlier, NKP 1958-1962. I have all my equipment but am stuck on a plan. I have access to a 12’ by 24’ space in my basement. The only thing bad is the furnace is in the middle of that space. That is the only spot in the basement I can use for my layout! Everybody, what are your suggestions? You can reply here or off site to my email address: rdraper_3@yahoo.com
thank you so much for the design, I haven’t had much time to study it yet but t a glance it looks fantastic. I may have some questions so hopefully you won’t mind my emailing you with them??? Thank you, Mike Pedri