Well, after thinking hard about my new N scale layout i finally began designing what i kind of see with what space i have to use. As many of you know my layout is a walk in style shelf type layout with possibly a second lever eventually. My era is the 1970’s through the 1980’s and based in the appalachian area. The picture i have attached is my first attempt with Anyrail wich i just purchased and am trying to get used to. The track plan is in NO WAY finished or complete but rather just me trying to get an idea of what i could do in the space i have. Please make any suggestions and comments, i really need them. I have inclused the radius’s i plan to use but i am open to any and all suggestions. Also, as this is my first attempt at designing a track plan i am not familiar with a lot of the prototypical stuff that goes along with designing a functional and practical track plan so please be asy on me, i still need ideas on a small yard and i will have industries to service on the plan. Another one of my big dilemas is where and how much double track and single track to include in my plan. I like to see trains run continuously but i also want to switch out industry. My track will be attached to either 1" or 2" foam board ontop of 1/2" plywood so i plan on having elevations and raised scenery. Again, please give me your thoughts and suggestions…Also, if you use Anyrail and would like to modify my file please feel free, i can use all the help i can get…Thanks again!
I usually don’t participate in many track plan threads, but where the tracks cross each other, are those grade level crossings? or will one track go over the other, with the use of elevated scenery? (tunnels, hills, mountains, etc).
I think adding industries would be hard to do, and look right, without hiding part of the long runs along the wall, and using the rail at the isles to access industries.
Just my first thoughts. I’ve never used a track plan software, so I have nothing to offer as far methods or techniques on using any program.
A part of the single track along the east wall will be difficult to access if you don’t plan for a hatch at the base of the peninsula or some other solution. The easiest thing would be to make the base of the peninsula a bit narrower and adjust the track work accordingly.
I agree with Paul, I have a reversing loop, it’s nice to have the ability to run in both directions. You could easily put one in either end or the peninsula.
Don’t forget to have several long storage tracks long enough to store a complete train, that was my error.
Looking at the right side of the layout where the two long legs join the short cross bar end section . . .
You have the front (aisle) tracks turning the corner and going to the rear. That’s good. Instead of two short-radius curves and a straight 45-degree run, put a single sweeping large-radius curve at each corner instead.
The middle section is way too short and wastes a lot of good space in the middle. If it were me, I would extend that middle section as far to the left as you can while leaving a comfortable walkway around the inside of the layout. It looks like you can comfortably extend the middle 6 feet further to the left. Thats what I would do.
Otherwise, the basic track plan looks pretty good. Of course you could flesh out more detail like sidings, yard, industry, storage tracks etc. but the basic plan is a good start - just extend the middle section as far as you can, that way you get much more running length for trains to operate.
I agree. The middle peninsula can have a narrow width for most of its length with a 48" diameter bulb at the end (about where that big red square is). Allows a little more elbow room in the aisles.
I agree. With the use of a sceneic devider, that extended penninsula could open up more switching posibilities, along with extending the main line run.
Without some basic knowledge of prototype operations, the OP will not be in a position to develop a functional track plan, nor will he be in a position to judge any track plan presented to him. He needs to do some homework, before he jumps into planning a layout, which otherwise ends up of just space filled with lots of track.
My advice is to get a copy of Armstrong´s famous “Track Planning For Realistic Operation” and tom start from there.
I remember the OP stating that he is fairly new to the hobby. He started out building the Salt Lake Route, a very nice MR project layout, which had only one major design flaw - the lack of staging facilities. The OP had came quite far in building it, so why give the project up? Why not add staging and complete the layout to hone the own skills? Just because there is a nice space available, doesn´mean it has to be filled with a layout, even more so when it is the first ever built one!
Tinplate Toddler, i understand what you are saying and appreciate the advice. If i said i was new to the hobby i didnt mean to. What i meant is that i had been out of the hobby for the last 10 years or so but have been messing with model railroads ever since i was old enough to remember although i have never had a “complete” layout i have had many attempts. I am now 52 and decided to get back into the hobby to both fullfill my childhood dream of having a functional model railroad as well as to spend time with my 2 younger sons. As far as finishing up the “Salt Lake Route” layout that i had started, after closer observation it was just going to be a whole lot of work to try and repair all the damnage from setting over the years in a non climate controlled area so i decided instead to move forward and just start a new layout in my new location. As for John Armstrongs book, i agree with you. I actually had a copy o
gregc, No sir i have not as of yet but i will be sure to now that you have mentioned it. In all honesty i have not been a member on here very long and between being sick and trying to work i just have not had enough time to read everything that i need to…Thanks for the suggestion sir!
riogrande5761, im trying to understand what exactly you mean when you say move the center isle to the left as far as i can…Anyway you could possibly mock up a sketch what you mean sir? Thank you very much and i appreciate your input!
carl425, i really like your idea there sir…It makes a world of difference just from an appearence point of view alone. Maybe some of the other guys here can provide some input on your idea here as to maybe this is what they are trying to suggest to me…Thanks again sir, i really like your idea!
