Track Plan Review

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I just finished coming up with my idea for my new layout and I was hoping for some feedback on it. Here is some background information on this track plan. The main part is of the layout is based on a 30" by 80" door that we just took out of my home. The second part of the layout is a removable round house with turntable that is going to be on a 16" by 48" add on. All the switch are #5 switches and the curves are 11.25" radius curves.

All feedback is welcome.http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/th_TrackPlan.jpg[/IMG]:550:0]

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/[URL=http://s1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/?action=view¤t=servicefacility.jpg[IMG]http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/th_servicefacility.jpg[/IMG][/URL]:550:0]

2

[quote user=“BigRedShocker”]

I just finished coming up with my idea for my new layout and I was hoping for some feedback on it. Here is some background information on this track plan. The main part is of the layout is based on a 30" by 80" door that we just took out of my home. The second part of the layout is a removable round house with turntable that is going to be on a 16" by 48" add on. All the switch are #5 switches and the curves are 11.25" radius curves.

All feedback is welcome.http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/[http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/th_TrackPlan.jpg(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/th_TrackPlan.jpg):550:0]

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/[![http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/th_servicefacility.jpg(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/th_servicefacility.jpg)](http://s1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/?action=view¤t=servicefacility.jpg):550:0]

The only thing I would add is a run around track at the top so you could switch the lumber yard and the co-op without having to run a train back to the station side of the layout. Other than that, it looks like a nice little plan with plenty of switching opportunities. I am sure some other posters with much more experience than I will probably have some helpful observations of their own. Good luck with your layout!

Frank B.

Dorval, Canada

3

So something like this http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/[IMGhttp://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/MainTrackPlanRevised.jpg[/IMG]:550:0]

4

HI BRS,

you could save RTS-files as BPM (bit-map); this is an RTS option and then download the BPM-file into Photobucket.

I am pretty curious how your layout and the two extensions are placed in your room. The same applies for roads, rivers and e.g. a scenic divider.

The double sided yard which is only leading to the engine terminal is not really needed; one ladder would do.

The engine terminal is missing a service track. Water, coal, ashes, sand and lubricants have to be brought in or have to been moved away.

I would also go for a extra passing siding at the upper “station”. The short ice-track has a different function.

Paul

5

You sure have packed a LOt in a small space, which is great.

My one concern for you is the roundhouse/engine servicing facility. as mentioned, you need the place to do those things {ash pit, etc}. You could put an extra track in to the left side of the throat as we look at it to help with that.

The other thing is that roundhouses and engine servicing facitlities take up a LOT of real estate! You may not like the looks of what you build after you cram it all into a 16" wide space. How do I also know thing? I wanted desperatly to put in a roundhouse on my small HO layout, Now I know HO is no N scale, but the proportions will work out similar in both sizes. It wasn’t going to work! I had space, but it would have been really really crammed and cramped. Instead I opted for a double stall straight brick engine house and 2 servicing tracks with a short RIP.

It is less than desireable, but If you can. maybe make it 18" wide or so to ease the real estate issue.

Also the very bottom track may be closer to the edge than you’d like.I’d eliminate it as it does look crammend in the diagram. Maybe optical illusion and may very well be added.

We tend to want more in a space than it can often handle adequately.

Just my thoughts and opinions, oters may vary.

[8-|]

6

[quote user=“BigRedShocker”]

So something like this http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/![http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/MainTrackPlanRevised.jpg(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/MainTrackPlanRevised.jpg):550:0]

Yes, that’s the idea, but if at all possible, make the run around track as long as possible. You have quite a few industries to switch and the longer the passing track, the better. I am assuming that operating your proposed layout in a logical fashion is of some importance, so with that in mind, the easier you make it to switch cars in and out of the industries, the better.

Frank B.

Dorval, Canada

7

Here is the newly updated idea for the main part of the layout. Right now i think that i will just scrap the idea of a servicing facility for now till the main part of the layout is at least started.

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/[IMGhttp://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s400/aircowboy90/trackplanrevised.jpg[/IMG]:550:0]

Right now the main part of the layout will be free standing and be able to be moved around my office on wheels and if needed be stored in the closet or transported if i ever have to move. The two areas that lead off the main plan were added so that if i ever get bored with the current state of the layout that i could expand it to give more operating opportunities.