I haven’t been on this forum for a while but know i’m back! (Oh not again!)
Anyway i have yet another MRR delema.I dont know why because i dont have a layout to have a delema about! but thats just it.
I can not decide on a track plan. I have 3x6 to work with. (better than 2x6)!
i am frustrated that Mikes small track plans website doesnt work. Anyway could somebody please give some advise. i want to have 2 mainlines.
Im not asking you to find me a plan because i am trying to myself but i you happen to come across one could you please just tell me it. I really appreciate it and value the advise on this forum.
[:)]
I am wet behind the ears when it comes to knowledge of such things. Please forgive me if I am suggesting something obvious which you already have, but Iain Rice’s book, Small, Smart and Practical Track Plans, might be worthwile. I have enjoyed what I have read, and it has been well written, and not ovely technical.
Respectfully,
Jacob
Is it 3 feet x 6 feet; or 3 meters x 6 meters? (I ask since I know you’re in Australia; and feet or meters makes a big difference.)
If you can answer those questions, then maybe we’ll be able to better help you with ideas or places to look for ideas.
By the way … [#welcome] back.
PS : “Wet behind the ears” means “still fairly new to this”.
Pavariangoo, Here is something you may have overlooked. Since your modeling in N scale in a space of 3X6 feet, look at HO trackplans for a space of 4X8 feet and up. With a little tweaking here and there, they could easily be down sized for your 3X6 space. I did that back in the sixty’s and was quite pleased with the results. Remember, basicly an HO trackplan that will fit in a space of 6X12 feet would reduce down to a space of 3X6 in N scale, Ken
my pop has one if not both of those books, i vaguely remember a trackplan on a door in 48 top notch track plans so i will go and check it out and tell you what i come up with,
i think the trackplan is called buzzard cove from 48 top notch track plans
if you have the book you will see it is very similar to what i am trying to acheive.
I somehow have to modify it to have 2 mainlines and possible an inglenook or other form of yard. Where it has the “runaround” near the crossing i might add a second runaround to form ladders.
The plan is kind of hard to make out because of its teeniness–in order to lift the yard up above the other loop, the grades would be obscenely steep, and it looks like the switches for the spurs erupt randomly from the curves on either end.
Here’s a page from the Thor Trains site which shows a 3x6 track plan that can start out simple and end up complex–with two loops, a passing siding, several industrial spurs and even a couple of small yards:
Here’s one with only one loop, but you could work the yards on the outside while a second train goes around the loop without interfering with switching/shunting:
I agree with Ken. If you can’t find what you are looking for, start with a 4x8 HO plan. One with “very sharp” curves usually means 15" which will do you well in N. Most consider “sharp” 18", which is a step up. Any yards, sidings, double-track sections and towns will compress, so you’ll wind up with more room than you thought you had. You can even start with the original HO 4x8 and add a few things here and there until you have what you like.
Wish I had the 101 Track Plans book with me, since I don’t have a lot else to do around here today.
I know one thing for sure. My layout has to have ladders. I love them. I just think they look cool. I wouldnt ming a turntable but it would look out of place on a 3x6
I feel sooo close to haveing a trackplan to stick with!
You might try an outer oval as the first track and an inner figure eight as your second track. You could put a mountain on one end with tunnels which would make your layout appear bolder.
This is THE best site for small layouts, be sure to check the links to other small layout sites. Check out all the small layout ideas, there has to be something here that if nothing else will help you solve the delemas of your layout plan. If I can cram a G scale layout into 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 , HO or N should be a breeze after gleeming this site, Good Luck with it.
