Thanks for the kind words Ken. Unfortunately that’s as good as I have for a plan and it has really faded so it didn’t show up well in new pics. I’ll try and dig up a video of a train doing a lap or two. That might help in seeing how she goes.
I also like to just watch’em run so that’s why I did what I did. I am happy with the result.
One thing to remember in your expansion is that with the longer main line that comes with the increased layout size, it is easier to keep the trains apart so keep that in mind when thinking about how many mains you really want to run. I like a long “lap” on a layout and once the speeds of my trains are in sinq. they never come together. Also no duckunder is a big plus. I think if I had your space I would make mine the same only wider and longer. I would also try and fit in the spiral tunnels that are in the Canadian Rockies. [:)]
SOmewhere I read you are going to eliminate the A/c access. I WOULD NOT DO THAT. A 12 y/o AC blocked in is asking for trouble. Perhaps you can build a liftout there? Or put in a modual section there about 4 feet wide and as deep as you go that can slide out on wheels?
The reason I say that is that at 12 y/o it is likely to fail sometime, and once you block it in, it WILL fail for sure! unless you can hand it out the window or push it out the wall, it wil have to come back in again, and is 3x3 feet going to be enough room for you AND the A/c old and new to fit through?
WE replaced an ancient A/c int eh LR window aobut 8 years back and had the new one fail about 4 years ago. Current one working well but you never know…
On the longer runs, right now my layout is a folded dog bone and has two mains. The original section is U shaped, 8 X 19 X 13. The B line is 65 to 72 feet long depending on the route. A line was around 60 foot. Then I added the newer section and the A line now has a 97 foot long run. Yes, the trains catch each other less on the A line than the B line, but it still happens on the A line. I may lose some feet depending on what I can fit in. But, it would still be worth it in my mind.
Galaxy, yes I build the bench in such a fashion where I can get the A/C out.