Below, I show a proposed plan for my next layout, which will be in N-scale. I’m using
Kato Unitrack. The layout consists of a double track mainline running around the
perimeter with turnouts allowing trains to move from the inner track to the outer
track and vice versa. The larger radius on the main line is 15" while the smaller is
about 13.75".
There are also several industrial sidings (ending in bumpers) which will serve the
businesses of the layout. These will be used when I feel like doing alot of picking
up and dropping off of cars.
There will be a passenger/freight station on the longer portion of the layout where
all of the switches and sidings are located (i.e. between 48" and 108", see top for
scale). The trains will pull into the station (either from the left or right) and let
off passengers and freight as well as get new cars and new locos to pull them.
Anyway, I’m interested to know what people think of this layout plan. Any advice
about anything? the plan? the track?
I think your track plan here is just dandy!. Wish I had the space for something like that. About all I could do was a 3 1/2 X 6 1/2 foot table with an outside oval and an inside figure eight. Oh well. Maybe one of these days - after I win the lottery…
But like a lot of the members will probably tell you, in the end it’s all up to the modeller and what time, space and money he has to work with. Of course let’s not forget individual taste.
It’s pretty neat, but with the size that you have to work with, I would consider taking out the sidings on the left side and run the tracks up and then down through a tunnel perhaps? Also those sidings on the inside at the curve, the ones with the ends almost touching?. If you eliminate one of them there will be more room for a little town or industry served by the remaining siding.
Bearman has some good points. I would suggest removing either one or both of the sidings inside the curve, as well as another short spur that you have coming off of the track in the center forming a second loop. Mind you, I love switching, but it is important to consider the effective straight length of a siding and the scenery considerations. What do you have in mind for scenery? It does not work well when added as an afterthought.
Is there an aisleway in the rear? If there isn’t, you will be able to reach back there, but I can guarantee you that it will not be as much fun to switch.
What do you find more interesting? Do you enjoy letting multiple trains run or are you interested in operations, or both? I can see you like switching and passenger operations. The reason I ask this is you have a double track mainline set up. This is great for when you want to watch multiple trains run. However, most modelers have found that operations is more enjoyable with a single track mainline and passing sidings, which require trains to stop in order for others to meet, etc. You can still let them run on one track. It’s all a personal preference; currently there is a discussion in another thread discussing the drawbacks of operations and how to get the best of both worlds.
I’m having trouble seeing the operations of the passenger station. Can you define the purpose of each track? This will help determine what is actually necessary.
A comment on the switchback: Railroads avoided them like the plague. While they are fun to operate, unless you can justify them through the scenery (like a watercourse or dense city construction) they don’t appear very realistic.
Any other issues in the switching areas can be worked out later. Don’t glue the track down in your switching areas immediately. I’m sure that after you switch it for some time you will realize some changes that will improve the design. Even better, those should be easy changes to make with Unitrack.
Thanks very much for all of the advice. I appreciate it very much.
I plan on using the 5 ‘spur’ tracks on the right side of the passenger station as a passenger car
and loco servicing area. The passenger train will pull into the station, have cars added and
subtracted as well as motive power changed out and then be on its way to a new destination.
As for scenery, there will be a low-land/swamp going under the bridges in the lower left
corner of the layout. A road will stretch in the middle of the layout from the right over
to the left and down to the bottom of the layout.
The layout will be situated against a wall along the left and upper edges. So, there is no aisle.
But, at 3 feet of depth, it should not be too onerous to reach back there to do the switching.
Though, I can understand your concern about this.
Okay, the passenger station is making more sense now. Again, I’d recommend not gluing that area down right away as I’m sure that as you operate you will see changes that will improve the station’s capabilities. I’ve done at least three minor reworks after construction to my switching area that have transformed the operations, like removing excess trackage, removing an unrealistic switchback while keeping the operational complexity, and flipping a crossover to tremendously increase capacity. Such things are inevitable.
On the aisle issue, I’d be very skeptical about a 36 inch reach. The problem here will be exasperated if there is any significant structure/landform in the way. I’m about 5ft 8, and my max reach on a 42 inch high table is about 30 inches. I don’t know how tall you are and how high the layout is planned, so it might be different for you. I would suggest building a little step-up structure around the edges to make it easier. I built mine from left over composite materials from the home’s deck to be used on a 30 inch reach in the yard. While it might not seem necessary, it will make things much easier by the end.
Another solution that I prefer is to take the longer leg of your L off the right angle. By that I mean, reduce the angle of the inside of the L. What this will do is turn that leg so that you have a sort of narrow triangular shaped isle in the back. Of course, this depends on the room you are in and where doors are, etc.
On to a different topic: Staging. If you ever get into operations, staging is an integral part of it. As planned, you have not incorporated any, which is fine. However, I’d suggest that you give some thought to how you might put in some later.
