I’ve been using a great 30" x 54" N-scale layout for several years. I have the opportunity to updste to a new larger railroad.
desires for the new railroad:
36" x 80" door layout w/ extruded foam scenery and paper mache mountains.
11" minimum mainline radius (9-3/4 allowed in sidings)
LONG mainline run: multilevel, double folded dogbone is the plan.
Switching should be able to be run without disturbing the main line, and be interesting/challenging to use. Not a timesaver, which is frustrating, but should require fiddly moves to spot everything.
No particular prototype is being modelled. Should be a fantasy line where I can run ‘heritage’ steam one day, a long freight the next, and a shinkasen bullet train from the year 2100 the next day after that.
Below is a rough draft of the plan, though I’m not really satisfied with it. Its a bit 'spaghettu bowl, no passing sidings, and I’m sure I can do better in 4 feet by 6+ inches for switching. the listed 2% grade may need to be 2.5% to actually get 2 inches clearance.
Seems to me that a crossover at the base of the green grade and another just past the bridges at the top of the grade would give you the passing track you want. And if you want more switching, replace the fake tunnel with an industry appropriate to the mountain setting, like a mine or sawmill.
If you haven’t purchased your door yet, check a Restore or other used “stuff” store. They often have them at very reasonable prices, and even if they are damaged your foam will cover most small holes and dings. Also, consider making your mountains from foam. You can build it hollow if you want to save materials, weight almost not a factor. I have gone to construction sites and asked for the scrap, they are usally glad to have me take it.
I don’t think I’d want to put in crossovers on the long straights for a passing siding, if only to avoid creating reverse loops --id ike to keep the wirig simple for DC control. perhaps having a passing siding on the mountain loop? or following my grade up, just of the straights? If so, I should probably shift the yard/storage tracks to the back end, or stretch the curves with an extra 5" straight to give more room for the switching area. I’d like at least 5 industries to switch, but for the switching to be essentially self contained.
I’m also thinking of trying to resdesign in Atlas code 55 instead of code 80.
Looking at your plans, I would say to really reconsider them. You want a steam excursion one day and 11" radii will not cut it. 11" will be pushing the lower limits for sure…not only for running, but for overhangs Nd other considerations. If you want long runs, can you do an along the walls layout? What is your room space? Cramming as much rail into a limited space will only frustrate you and is the farthest thing possible from a realistic layout! Not to mention that it’ll hold your running attention for about 5 minutes. Consider buying some planning books. Consider going to train shows to see what you like. Consider joining a local group. Consider, consider, consider. Nothing worse than planning a layout, building it and then starting over…very expensive. Just my thoughts. David B
I want a long mainline run that is not a simple oval: I have a huge mainline run of over 2 scale miles! Its what I want
I want challenging, interest-retaining switching: I have it, but it undoubtably could be improved.
I have room for a door, not an around the room layout. not to mention I know my limitations on what I can effectively make into detailed scenery – I don’t WANT anything larger than a door-sized layout. You are are basically suggesting that because my wants and limits aren’t what you want, that mine isn’t a real railroad and I should start over. Not very constructive. I know from my old layout that the steam I have (a 4-6-4, 2-8-2 and a 4-6-0) will run successfully around 9-3/4 curves, 11" should be fine. My basic design fits my needs, I just know it can be improved.
I think the point David is making is that, in order to accomodate your wants (long mainline, etc.) onto your givens (36x80" table), you’re making some potentially serious concessions in other areas
Because of that, if you can change your “givens” around (say 2x 18" deep x 80" long tables along a wall, or in an ‘L’ shape), you can better accomodate your current list of wants, and possible future wants as well (
I love the “from the hip” replies. The OP has a plan in his head…that’s great…however, there are concessions made that limit his posted desires in a layout. If you want to meet all your goals in that space, perhaps Z scale is a better choice? David B
regardless, I only have the small bit of wall real estate to put the short end against a wall that will be shared with other things (mostly bookshelves), so I’ll be sticking with the door.
here is another draft design, that stretches out the mainline a bit and removes the storage yard and puts an inglenook sidings yard in the switching area.
This is a late post on what may be a dead thread but……
Two thoughts:
If you use flex track 13”-15” curves could be used which would greatly improve the appearance and operation over 11”.
A twice around would have almost the same mainline run while leaving more space for yards and switching.
If you’ve already started on the new layout, please pay no attention to this advice.
LensCapOn - I am not sure, whether the OP is willing to accept any critique or advice on his layout design. From his answers, I gather he just wants to have a confirmation of how great it is. Well, it isn´t and DavidB was perfectly right in suggesting to reconsider it.
I am afraid the OP will sink quite a lot of $$$ and time into this layout, only to find out that he wanted too much in too little a space and that he won´t be able to incorporate even a trace of realistic looking scenery. Operation will remain at letting a train circle the loop, as the yard he designed is pretty much useless with its many unnecessary switchbacks and short leads. If the OP would be open for suggestions, I would recommend to look into some proven designs, like MR´s project layout “The Salt Lake Route” or an adaption of an HO scale layout I made some time ago:
I would also recommend to invest a little time and do some reading before indulging into a costly experiment which will definitively not lead to where he wants to go. There are some excellent books available from our host (and others), just to name a few:
The last two ideas remind somehow on MR´s 2010 HO project layout “The Beer Line”, which was a modular concept that could be assembled in a couple of different ways.
I found this layout quite fascinating and have adapted it for a N scale layout of my own (which, alas, never got built):
The layout is of similar size of what you can accomodate, but looks a little bit more “elegant”
indeed, the first post had an incorrect link. now ti wait a day to ee it 
