I’ve completely revised my thinking after a lot of input from friends here. Thanks! I’ve also read John Armstrong’s Bible (!) and several other layout guides for more info. Can’t say I’ve memorized it…but I have tried to put some of it work. I outlined my requirements…then played with the options. I’ve been through oh…about 20 layouts on paper, and 3-5 revisions on XTrkCad. After all that…I got to the end, and well…got stumped. Let me explain:
DESIRED REQUIREMENTS:
want both freight and passenger ops.
want “working” industry ops with moving parts (coal loading; saw mill to lumberyard, etc.). Ideally, with 3 stations - but might be limited to 2.
passenger line with 2 or 3 towns - again, ideally 3…more important to have more towns than freight for now
mountain area - got the idea to use a helix. Want one long, gentle slope - but save some room by using helix to accelerate things a little inside
train yard - will share between engine house, passenger and freight loading
long mainline - to allow for easy running with nephews.
continuous loop ideally - so I can run for the nephews without much effort - but have the capability to do operations.
expandable later - to add in walk in area / peninsula
use backdrop in one area – create some scenic variety. But don’t block windows
try to use 22" curves min and #6 turnouts on mainline
have room for programming track
avoid a lot of heavy traffic / viewing on the “top” wall, as the roof line slopes down and it can get a little cramped. But, it’s very workable space for limited use.
THE END RESULT / CHALLENGE
I got everything mapped out well. I like most of it! BUT I missed some of the key requirements - and am stumped. Any ideas? Am I going to be able to get what I want with a continous loop, or would I be better off with a point to loop or loop to loop?
I think you are the only one who can answer that. With a point to point or point to loop you cannot just turn on a train and watch it orbit. You have to make and break up the trains continually as well as turning the motive power, passenger cars, cabooses etc. If you enjoy doing that more than just watching a train run will determine the global direction to go.
By operations I presume you are talking about switching. Two things jump out at me. First is that as currently drawn both the lower right bottom corners are wasted. The area outside the corners are wonderful places to stick in industries. Second, - nothing says sidings have to be straight. Here in Denver there is a warehouse built with many short flat walls so that it can match a curved RR siding. I have a picture somewhere if you would like to see it.
I didn’t see any of these things in your requirements statements. Are they requirements or are you reacting to someone elses comments about “needing” one. Many real locomotives ‘back’ into their service facilities. That way they don’t have to be turned around to leave again.
Did not participate in the original thread, so please excuse my ignorance if my thoughts have already been considered and thrown out.
Is the entire 12 x16 ft rectangle available to you? If so, I would consider a U shaped dogbone or a large circle with a swinging gate for entrance into a central open area.
I am not sure I understand the point of the helix. Usually, folks put up with the construction, maintenance, and operation drawbacks of a helix to get a second level. But since you are viewing that area from 8ft away, the helix really doesn’t displace much else.
Which leads to my real problem with the layout as designed. The benchwork, although it has sufficient access behind it for construction and maintenance, is an awkward design for viewing and operating. Over half the time, your trains are at least 4ft from the nearest view point. It’s pretty tough to do any switching from that distance, or anything else besides let them run.
Do you need/want the 2 separate loops as designed? Is one continous running train, with one switching or working in the yard enough? Or do you need to run 2 trains continuously?
My suggestions - it’s YOUR layout :
Decide how many trains you need to run continuously and simultaneously. Of these continuously running trains, will any/all be basically “hands-off” - just letting them run? Or will all have active engineers to mind them and keep thm following another train? This will set up how many continous run loops you have, or use a double track main.
The benchwork configuration you have best suits the continuous running type of layout you have designed. If you want to empasize close-up viewing and/or switching you need to use narrower benchwork - 24-30 inches or narrower - except at the turnback curves or staging.
Reversing sections can be easily added to your inner figure 8 - just need to make them long enough so the grades are reasonable.
I can see a few spots to put your other industries at. First is the access area, Do you really need that there? It looks like you have access to all sides of this benchwork so an access hole is just wasted layout realestate. For the reversing loop, is there any grade difference where the tracks cross near the middle? if not make a loop back there. I couldnt download the XtrkCAD file to check the layout myself it comes up as an HTML document and is all text gibberish. Also there could be a coal mine near that mountain helix that would make a great industry as well and maybe a power plant or steel mil to use all that nice fresh mines coal. That would give you a working industry and by the loooks of it you could make the coal mine a pass through type with the power plans/mill in the access area? Just some Ideas for ya to consider, in the end it is what you will want. Good luck.
