Greetings,
I’ve got space (3x12) for a switching layout. I’m looking for some interesting track plans. Any good ideas out there?
Stan
Look at the Micro Layout site
That’s a good place to start but most of the carendt plans are almost too small for a 3x12 space! What scale do you model, jeep35, and what aspects of railroading most interest you?
In HO, 3x12 feet is plenty of room for a busy industrial district, or a narrow-gauge logging line, or a fairly elaborate trolley layout, or a very large “vignette” of Class 1 operations. I’d recommend making the actual shelf no wider than 30" unless you can reach it from both ends or it will be set very low–three feet is kind of a tough reach sometimes, and trains have a perverse habit of derailing in the least accessible spot on your layout.
In N, 3x12 feet is enough room for quite an empire! You can have a “dog bone” plan with loops on either end and a big yard in the middle, or leave the middle minimalist with a couple of sidings for industries and place terminals near the loops.
In O, well, you can make a Timesaver…
There’s lots of good discussion, and files of plans and photos at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/small-layout-design/
and also a spill over subsidiary group just for more files (no discussion):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sldfiles/
The British modelling mags concentrate heavily on switching layouts of this size, you might want to order a few backissues from Peco:
http://www.peco-uk.com/
And I’ll also put in a plug for Carl’s site mentioned before. Many of those designs can easily be stretched out and linked together to make some very interesting larger layouts.
Cheers,
Mo
Thanks for all the suggestions. I model in HO. Actually I have a layout that takes up much of my basement. I have to “scale-down” my layout so to speak. One of the decisions I have to make is what parts (scenes) of my current layout I like best. I model the Western Maryland with a number of coal mines. Right now I don’t know if I want to stay with this or go with a city scene or something in between. I have quite a few structures that I would hate not to use, but on the other hand starting over with a new theme could also be enjoyable. Its rather confusing at this point, that’s why I was looking for some ideas.
Again Thanks to All
Hmmm…modeling coal mining in HO takes a lot of space–those big long coal drags and articulated engines, y’know–but a close-up coal mine scene (done as an industrial layout, with yard switchers loading empties and making up trains for the big beasts to take out) might be interesting.
This is a work in progress by one of the guys at our local modular club:
http://www.hotrak.ca/modules/Castor_River/Castor_River.html
It is quite impressive already, with all track laid (switching area comes of a double main), and even with only cardboard mock-ups for most of the buildings, it makes quite an impression! Also has DCC controlled turnouts & routing.
Andrew
I’m glad this topic came up. How close do you put the magnets to the turnouts?
N scale.
mike
Try 101 Track Plans & the ATLAS books. They have several layouts on switching, etc. In particular I rember 1 mine layout w/ a curve-back, and you could allways put in a switch-back.