You have (had) a choice between “DC” and “DCC”, you chose DC, so that makes it a Druther.
You have clarified that “in the corner of the basement” is the only place you could build-- so you’re right, that sounds like a given.
Let’s hold out hope… and call that a druther!
[:D]
John
That’s definitely the way my “temporary” layout is growing. I’ve encountered some delays in working on the permanent layout-- so I’ve taken advantage of the benchwork I’ve got, and some pink foam and Atlas Code 100 track laying around to throw together something quick and simple to operate on while I’m otherwise engaged.
Yup, that’s what I finally got around to doing this past weekend. I had some other benchwork sections already completed and just waiting for the wall space to mount them, so I figured “what the heck” and cut legs to put underneath them. Now they’re freestanding. Not in their final configuration, but so what-- lay some more pink foam on top and now the “temporary layout” has some new “temporary” real estate to fill up. The one caveat I have to be careful about is to not get too carried away in the new “temporary” space since its occupying the section of the basement I have to finish “finishing” so I can get back to work on really finishing the permanent layout. I noticed yesterday while I was working that if I’m not care
Ah, but we live in a world today that is driven by relativism, with an alarming paucity of absolutes. So might one be able to argue that one man’s Given is another man’s Druther?
Uh… I see four portals… (I guess I’m special [^] …)
That is a really nice layout you’ve got going there-- I can’t wait to see it when you get it further along!
I agree with you about the rail-fanning aspect. That’s why I designed a leg down around to the bottom of the basement and on through to my office. I plan on making the section around my desk “super sweet” for rail-fanning so I can sit (when I’m busy) and just watch the trains go by.
Just don’t tell my wife-- I told her “its an integral section that I can’t live without…” [:P]
John
No, you see three portals and piles of junk [B)]
Yeah, me too…
Yes, you might say the railfanning section is an absolute given… [:-^]
Jim
Actually I see four portals-- two in the lower left, one about dead center (slightly to the left), and one in the way back a bit left of center.
How did I develop my track plan? I’ll let you know when/if I ever get it done. [:)] So far, I’ve tried every approach known to mankind, and nothing works very well for me.
I wish there was some kind of miniature reusable “flextrack”, i.e. not real track, just a flat, narrow thin, bendable material that I use to try quick and easy mock ups. So far, the best thing I’ve found is snap track, but that gets a bit expensive and it’s not miniature.
You and me both Bud, I know exactly where you’re coming from! I haven’t been able to develop a track plan for anything-- although I’m able to lay it okay and reasonably happy with the results (so far).
I’m with you on wishing for a reusable flex track too-- something you could lengthen or shorten (without saws or cutters) and use over and over as needed.
And you can’t do easements with snap track either.
However, all that said, here is what I’m doing that IS beginning to work for me…
After studying my layout space (my basement) at considerable length, measuring it forty-seven different ways from Sunday and creating elaborate CAD models and such-- I’ve been thinking very locally about the layout-- I’ve already done the work to figure out my region / locale, era, theme, operating conditions, geography, etc., and am well familiar with my “Givens & Druthers” so now I’m down to the part where I have to figure out exactly WHAT it is that I WANT Meaning the exact industries, the exact items, select and choose the exact buildings along with whatever associated trackwork that goes along with them, and figure out where / how to fit it in.
That, it seems, is the key which is allowing me to make decisions, select structures and design localized elements for inclusion on the layout. And those, in turn, are suggesting lo
Oh yeah, that one… It’s a double-track portal that is now half-buried in a hillside and serving as an arched road overpass. So technically, it’s not a tunnel portal anymore.
BTW, John, kudos to you for your fun and interesting postings and discussion. Nicely done, and keep going.
Jim
Heh, well that depends on who you’re asking-- my kid (who’s nearly three) insists that bridges (highway overpasses) are “Tundles” (I love that word-- its entered my lexicon now) [(-D]
Thank you much for the kind words, I appreciate it!
I do very much enjoy the “Philosophy Friday” discussions myself also. I really like listening and hearing everybody’s take on things, and I learn a lot in the process.
No plan whatsoever, it just evolved.
Started as a single track oval on a 4x8 table, quickly grew to an 8x12 double mainline, then a bridge over to a 12 x 8 annex, still grew more to an added 18 x3 run, then finally a 4 x12 passenger station annex was added. Later tore it down and rebuilt it as a 22x42 P-shaped dogbone with 9 track freight yard, 5 track passenger car yard, an engine servicing facility, a130 foot turntable and a 9 stall roundhouse.
Absolutely. I know a fellow who did a “real life” layout. He took a real place and recreated it foot by scale foot. He was able to fit a single siding (about 1/4 scale mile long) and two spurs of the prototype into the avaliable space. It took forever just to perform a run around move at scale speed and set out a single car at the mine tipple. The locomotive had to stop at each turnout and wait so that the swichman had time to climb down out of the cab, walk over throw the turnout, and climb back onto the loco. It was the most boring “operating” session I have ever witnessed.
Ugh.
I think I’d be tempted to head for the door at 1:1 scale speed.
John,
How much time do you have??
My room is 13’ X 22’. I wanted an operations based point to point track plan with the longest mainline that I could muster given that I didn’t want to pass through a scene more than once and that I wanted to maintain a high level of scenic integrity and detail. I actively drew track plans on paper using the planning stencil for at least six months before I came up with a design that I liked.
I stole the operations plan from a friend of mine whose layout I had operated on for several years prior to designing this one. The basic idea is that of a short line with harassment from mainline trains. Short line trains originate at the yard on the lower deck and make their way to the top deck where they pick up and deliver various goods etc. The design allows for mainline through freights that interchange at the yard on the bottom deck. This means I can have cab forwards and all the old beat up short line stuff that I love on the same railroad.
I en
Looks great from here, Guy! You have some fine looking benchwork and your train room is awesome. Is there a helix on both ends?
Bob
Bob,
Thanks for the kind words. There is only one helix. The trains get to the top of the line at Groveland and then turn the loco on a turntable for the return trip. Trains too big to turn at Groveland cut off to left of the second picture and go back down the helix via a hidden return track. Ops sessions are designed for small trains on the upper deck so the hidden return is generally not used during operating sessions.
Guy