Howdy hope all you guys have found my new thread here. If you have, great. If not you would not be reading this! Anyway here’s the scoop, my latest track plan is a sectional 20x4 (I have a 16x40 storage shed that can be used for this) that can be packed up and taken to club events and such. The mainline runs level around the entire layout, on one side is Cascade where the CNRR Mining-Logging Branch spurs off the main line, it then begins to climb around the middle to the other side there the mine spur is the branch continues around back to the other side to the logging camp. The track plan will be posted this afternoon if I get around to it.
Sounds like you have a plan, but one point sticks out to me. If your layout is 4’ wide, 22" is the maximum radius you can use. Granted a logging branch with short locos or logging locos can probably negotiate 15" curves, but you wouldn’t have much separation between the two.
If you could make your modules 5’ wide it would give you space and a maximum reach in of 30". If you had each module 5’x4’ (joining on the 5’ sides) your layout would be wider and still have manageable size modules to move.
Just a thought.
Good luck,
Richard
EUREKA!!! The layout is 8x20 split level. the first level is 2 feet deep 8x20, the second level is 4x16 allowing plenty of space! It breaks up into 20 2x4 sections.
I can operate the middle or the outside or both.
I know we have told you this about 10 times already, but I’ll try just one more time, making an 8 ft wide table is a really, really, really, really bad idea.
If you want to make sections then look at how N-Track or Free-mo work and do something like that.
It’s only 4ft wide when you put it all together I would build the center separate from the outside so it would only be 2ft reach and on top of that the second levels mainline runs around the edge the middle is going to be mostly mountain scenery. And far as derailments during ops I could use the Micro-Mark Topside Creeper Step Ladder Support System to reach the interior.
I should explain slowly the second level is a 4x16 table featuring the mine and logging camp then the first level is basically a 2ft wide shelf that sits about a foot lower than the middle all the way around.
Picture a long rectangular two level wedding cake.
Also I must point out that I happen to be over 6ft tall.
Steven: You have received a mountain of advice from readers of both your threads, which I believe shows the desire of those readers to help you in any way they can. I won’t muddy the waters of their fine advice other than to say this: “Do it”. Build the SIW or the cascade logging road or whatever you choose. But get started. You will learn more from the experience of building a layout than you will ever get from reading about building a layout. We all wish you good luck and smooth rails.
Old Fat Robert
As a member of a club that has an 11x140 sectional layout - none of our sections is over 3’ wide and most are less. There are even grades - there’s a lower level cutoff through an engine terminal which enters the main from a lower level in two places to accurately represent the actual track in the prototype location.
The other problem with wider sections, besides the reach in, are when it comes to transporting them. Both in trailer/car space AND getting them through doors. The wider sections are the corners and are shorter than most. Even the two big yards are more liek 30" wide, only the end of the coal yard extends wider in order to have a place for the huge breaker structure.
Or like this, this is my last layout in a 10x17 room.
The top part with the small yard and staginging hidden behind (removable backdrop) was 2’ wide. The part at the bottom, the benchwork was only 1’ wide. The penninsula with the cement plant (which never got finished) would have been 2’ wide. I built it all as 2x8 sections but put the track and roadbed across the gaps continuously, I cut it all with a Dremel when I moved. It’s all currently stacked in my basement but I have no desire to reassemble it as is, I have much more room to work with and have a completely different idea with two decks in the plannign stages. But this little railroad fairly accurately represented a branch line near me. The place names are correct and in the right order, but the whole thing was compressed, plus the cement plant was torn down in the early 70’s and is now a business park.
–Randy
As I previously stated it is going to be built in 2x4 foot sections.
LOL
Kinda reminds me of that Gary Wright song from the 1970s.
I’ve just closed my eyes again
Climbed aboard the dream weaver train
Driver take away my worries of today
And leave tomorrow behind
Ooh dream weaver
I believe you can get me through the night
Ooh dream weaver
I believe we can reach the morning light
Fly me high through the starry skies
Maybe to an astral plane
Cross the highways of fantasy
Help me to forget today’s pain
Good luck and let us know how it works out.
Upon trying to sketch it out I’m stumped!!! Anyone interested in helping??? I see now that the idea I had was not going to work too well.
456 posts in less than 3 months. I’m afraid unless Steven shuts off his computer, he will never lay that first piece of track. Of course, there are a lot of “arm chair” modelers in the hobby.
Slow down there pal. I would have a layout already but my parents haven’t been too accomodating to my hobby.
The reason I started this new thread is to get ideas I can’t track plan I’m horrible at it! So if anyone wants to help please do!
Back to the essentials. I want a reletively compact layout, but one with grandiose mountain scenery, a long mainline, a small yard, and a mining-logging branch. I have tried and tried but I just don’t have that knack for trackplanning. If you want I could post my first attempt at planning. (It was pretty gruesome)
Then all this superball track planning is a waste of time for everyone - including yourself.
Find out from your folks what size layout they would consider as “acceptable” and plan your layout using those dimensions. You’ll find that “fences” will force you to think how best to utilize your mrring space and you’ll be freer to work within those confines vs. running out to the end of your choke chain and strangling yourself everytime you come up with your next great layout idea.
Focus on small and achieveable goals for your first layout then plan your US version of Miniatur Wunderland when you have the money and the space…