I have had model railroads when a little younger, but never more than just loops. Those get boring after a few days, lol. I have decided to get back into it, in HO scale again. I will preface by saying this, I don’t care if the layout resembles a real railroad, I love the locomotives, so I just want to run them on a fun layout.
I have a somewhat odd area to work with, here is a paint sketch.
I would like to have a minimum of 22" curves as my main love is locomotives, and plan on having some bigger ones. (gas turbine) I would like a long main line a yard, and some switching to industry. Also, I would love a 2% grade somewhere along the main line. I have tried to create some in anyrail, but I am out of segments and can’t finish them. I’ve also tried on paper, but I am just not creative enough to make something that really looks fun.
Hello, and welcome. I also love locomotives. I have managed to keep a lid on acquiring them, but over the past five years I have managed to accumulate 20. None of my mostly steamers has a twin. This is likely to be a key point for you and something to bear in mind. If you love locomotives, you will end up with a number of them, and they will not all be the same kind or type. In fact, this should be a point for you to bear in mind when you settle on your track layout, especially the curves and the number of turnout (switch) you are going to use. I’ll explain.
Turnouts go by the frog number. The frog is the crossing V-shaped item in the middle of the appliance. The switch, properly, is what we call the sliding sharpened points rails that move back and forth with the throwbar to which they are bolted/hinged. Different angles of diversion on the route that goes off to one side mean different frog numbers. For most of us, the minimum we can use is a #4.5, meaning the diversion away from the through route’s main axis is 1 unit for every 4.5 down that main axis. I hope this is making sense to you. The lower the frog number, the sharper the diversion. Means smaller engines.
We agreed that you love engines and that you were highly likely to accumulate a bunch in time. Some will be larger…you’ll develop a hankering for large diesels or steamers. They’ll do much better on a #5 turnout, and you would be well-advised to consider #6’s because there’s nothing I know of that won’t do well on a #6.
You mention a “fun” layout. I don’t know what fun means to you today…you have an idea. I can tell you with certainty that you won’t have that same definition in just a few weeks. As you play with track layouts, you learn a thing or two. Most of us learn that a track layout can get old really quickly if it doesn’t have a fairly strong passing resemblance to a rea
The real gurus will have better ideas, but to get loops and 22 inch curves you will need to get more width than 3 feet on the two small tables. The other issue is what do you want the railrod to do. If you want a lot of opperations you could put great yards on the two ends. If you want a lo of scenery, that will take a different plan. I would cheat and put a bubble on the two end tables and get the 22 inch curves to bubble out.
Crandell - Thank you, I will try to define fun, as it pertains to me. I was hoping to have a nice yard on one of the wings, as large as will fit. One the main section I would like to have a nice size main line that branches off in two places (if it will fit) and one goes to a town and the other to a industrial area. I am not sure what I really want to do with the other wing, maybe move the industrial spur to it?
Yes, I am familiar with the #6 number, and feel that would be best for me, as I hope to have some six axle diesels, and such.
I am also going to call my hobby shops and see if they have the book you mentioned.
Art - True, I can extend one of the wings without any trouble, I just want enough room to sit/stand in the “U”.
i do not understand some responses from others. A gas-turbine is pretty long and a 30" min radius in HO seems needed (3 times the length of that engine). Hence your table will need to be 6 feet wide, you have 3 feet. You are up to a mission impossible in HO, in N-scale you might have a chance.
Stein’s advice is solid, start with making a drawing of your room.
Track Planning For Realistic Operation can set you on the right track. It’s worth every penny.
As said before, cad programs do not design railroads; they can only make a nice digital drawing. You don’t need them at all. And when you want drawing layouts as a hobby, not a bad one, spend the very modest amount of money for a program. Boo free riders.
