anyone got any pics of good shelf layouts out there? I have just been granted a considerable amount of space to build one [bday] its going to be a country line with two small terminuses and maybe one small station in the middle with some kind of automatic shuttle system.has any one else got an automatic shuttle thingy?
Sean,
Congratulations on getting the space! You can check out this layout, which features some good “country” scenery:
http://magnoliaroute.com/magnolia%20route.htm
It’s mostly a shelf-type, but it has a peninsula in the middle, but the peninsula is just a fancy setup for two shelves back-to-back. It also is built on three levels, but you’ll want to probably keep it to just one level if you’re just starting out.
As for the automatic shuttle system, if you’re referring to a circuit that will automatically make the train go back and forth, I believe there are circuits out there that you can buy that will do this. Or, you can just do it manually.
circuitron makes an auto-reversing unit that uses photocells. We use one for a trolley line on our modular layout.
Well, if you wanted to have some real fun you could build a circuit to change the polarity, using pushbuttons built into bumpers, or electromagnets.
I’d recc. getting Linn Wescott’s 101 track plans book. Several shelf track plans in there. Even if you don’t use any of those plans specifically, can still give you many ideas.
Jim