New layout idea; double decker layout (HO scale)

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I was reading my new copy of Model Railroader Planning, and I liked the article about adding a branch line with a lower deck. I have often thought about and planned a layout that included all the aspects of model railroading that I wanted. Double mainlines, heavy industry, big & fast passenger trains, interlockings, branchlines, small industries, etc…

So here is my idea, I could build a double decker around the room layout. The top would be connect cities A-B-C and run east west, the bottom would be the branch line running from D-B-E and run north south. Both layouts would include the interchange at B, but it would be modeled from different viewpoints. Where the other road would be a dummy lines crossing the main. There would be no means for trains to go from top to bottom, as a helix or around the room would take up to much space. So the few cars that were interchanged would have to be done with the five finger technique. I do not have anything on paper yet, the magazine just got me thinking. What do you think?

2

I’ve done a number of layouts like this for folks, with separate decks connected only conceptually by operation as you describe. Not especially common, but it works well.

My article on an HOn3 layout for the Oahu Railway with three separate but conceptually-linked decks was published in Model Railroad Planning 2008. I discussed the concept in more detail in Layout Design Journal #28 (Spring 2003) published by the Layout Design SIG.

The cars need not be physically interchanged (unless you prefer), one can alternatively use similar consists on each deck.

Byron

3

It would be fun to have a car-elevator interchange between the two levels.

Ed

4

That’s a different idea that can also work, but tricky to engineer. The conceptually-linked decks require no special engineering and the location that is replicated on each deck need not be exactly aligned with the one on the other deck, which offers welcome flexibility in some cases.

5

A car float that you manually move between the levels would allow for an interchange that requires far less precision to build than an elevator. Put a bumper on the end that doesn’t match up with the pier and always tilt in that direction when you move it.