Trackplan v 1.1

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Here is a beta layout plan for my latest layout. A few parts need to be tweaked, but it gives the general feel of the layout. I’ve also moved the entire table 2’ away from the back wall to give access to the rear main and mine branch switches. There will also be a large hill/quarry divider between the mine branch and city section. Comments and constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated, especially for some switching plans for the inner 18" radius oval in the city section.

[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Th1nkG33k

First of all, if you have any good layout plans for this general size layout, please share them.

Last fall, I finished the last portion of my benchwork for my new HO 8x10 “L” shaped layout. It’s since been collecting dust as I’ve been busy with school. Last weekend, I went down and began pushing tracks around and flipping though books of plans and sketches I’ve made. Ideally I would like a double track main with a branchline and an empties in/loads out industry (probably a coal mine.)
-Most of my rolling stock consists of cars less than 50’, the exception being three Athearn 70’ passenger cars.
-My main operational locomotives (Roco GP-40, Life Like Proto 2K GP-7, Athearn SW1500) are four axle.
-Most of my current track is Bachmann Nickel-silver w/ built in roadbed. Areas with switches will be Atlas code 100 track and cork, or instant roadbed.
-Level running for the mainline, with possible 4% grade for branch

As I am on an extreme budget, I need to get this trackplan right the first time. Ideally something with good operational and display value.

Overall View: (Yeah, I know its messy, I’ve been reorganizing everything in the rec room. )

City section with triple track main is on the right

2

what I would recommend to you would be to get rid of the Bachmann EZtrack and go with flextrack and some foam or cork roadbed.

The reason is simple; flexability. you are not limited to what you can buy premade you can put an S curve as sharp or as loose as you want so long as your trains can handle the curve or what ever other design you can come up with. Flex track is easy to use and only requires a few tools that you may already have. A rail nipper (or cutter) is a huge must it will make one side of the cut square so you dont need to do anything else to mate another piece of track to it. Some track nails and a small hammer are good too but not required. You will need a hobby knife and some glue (elmers works just fine) for the final “required” items. Buying track and roadbed is alot cheaper than getting the EZtrack as well. I have some EZ track myself and used it for a temporary layout when I didnt have all the tools needed to build my benchwork. I am much happier with my flextrack layout thank I ever was with my EZ track layout. Also with normal track you could link all 3 lines in the small leg of the L for more possibilities.

Just my $.02 on the matter

3

If that right hand section of your layout is 4’ wide and 8’ deep + the section to the left (the L), have a look at http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id39.html. This may stimulate some thought for the innermost oval.