I am finally ready to start a new layout. I will be doing things different on this one. I would like at least 3 mainlines, large roundhouse and some big mountains, and a nice wharf scene. I have stairs running to the middle of the layout so no duckunders will be needed. It is the second floor in the picture. Do I have enough space for this to happen? I am going nuts trying to figure out a trackplan.
I would suggest you model the UP’s Wasatch grade from Ogden eastward up Weber and Echo Canyons. (it was, after all where the Superturbines ran) I think you have enough room. Not much for on line switching but it does have two seperated mailines, a large roundhouse and some classification switching in Riverdale yard - a flat yard at that!
-George
Did you add the second floor specifically for a layout? [:D]
If so, kudos on your ability to determine what really counts…[;)]
Mike
What do you mean by three mainlines? Three separate tracks for train to orbit on?
Large as in lots of stalls or large as in a big, 130’, turntable? Do you want an entire locomotive facility to go with this?
Big mountains by who’s standards? There aren’t many places where big mountains (by my definition) are close to a wharf. Maybe Seattle-Vancouver, Alaska, Peru and Chile are a few I can think of. What sort of wharf are we talking about here? A quaint New England one tracker, a great lakes ore or grain facility, or a New York or San Diego wharehouses, cranes, and crates type.
Those three things will be easy to make happen in the space available. However making them look like they belong together could be a trick. The loco facility should be easys to go with one or the other. The D&RGW had some serious loco facilites in Salida which is right between three mountain ranges.
“I will be doing things different on this one. … I am going nuts trying to figure out a trackplan”.
Do these two statements go together? [:-,] … or did you go nuts last time?
If I were in your shoes I would try to slow things down a whole lot, enjoy ythe layout you have so far (if you still have it). Take time to figure what is missing from the one you have/had. this is a sort of reverse “givens and druthers”… “I didn’t give myself and I should have had…”
Try doing a pic search on some of the good websites often listed here for 3 track mains (if that is what you mean). A three track main can be relly good… if you can get the gen on how it would be worked… and you have enough storage tracks and trains to do it justice.
Remember…
HAVE FUN!
[:P]