Steve's semi-annual track plan thread

[asciibaron]

i have come to the conclusion i am not a talented track plan designer... all i can come up with a a NASCAR track with a siding or two. 

could someone here take one of these plans and kludge them to fit into an 8.5 x 9.5 space?

a Green River based layout with several line side industries - with possible hidden staging
http://kurtkubitz.com/wp-content/uploads/green_river_layout.jpg

and of course the mighty Clinchfield from MR:
http://www.trains.com/mrr/objects/pdf/06_p08-clinchfield.pdf

the plan i have been building to is too damn boring - the branch is way to short to be a branch, the main is just big boring square... there is no life to the plan - it's just too damn boring.

-steve

[sizemore]

I sense a waffling in the force, Luke.

 ;D

[wm3798]

Recently posted on Scale Rails Online.  See the thread here...
http://www.scalerailsonline.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=4710

I think in the space you have you're going to find yourself going for Proto-Flavor, unless you can find a half mile of proto track that does everything you want, including all those left turns!

I would take a plan like this, tweak it a bit to fit in a couple of scenes that convey the proto you're working with (that day) and start building, before one of us comes over there and just smacks you around a little.

Lee

[asciibaron]

I sense a waffling in the force, Luke.

it's not a matter of waffling, it's a matter of what allows me to both run trains and to operate the layout in a realistic manner - my space is just not going to allow for over the road run thru freights - i simply don't have space for the required staging.  it's always an issue of space.  i could spaghetti bowl up my space, but i want something that is rooted in the plausible.

the biggest problem with my current plan is that i only ever get to see one side of the train and they can really only go in one direction.  it's all so one dimensional.

the plan Lee has posted is interesting, but scaling it down to fit my space in n scale is a massive problem.  the loops eat the space.

-steve 

[wm3798]

You don't have to scale it down much...  You've got 8.5 x 9.5, that's 9 x 12.  Get a shoe horn and some butter, she'll squeeze right in there!

Lee

[lock4244]

How about doing a stage? Model a scene and the trains pass though like actors on a stage, from staging to staging in about 10 feet or so. You could model a small yard at the junction of a branch (or a shortline) with a mainline and serve a few industries. At least this way you could have through freights and local/branch/shortline trains, lifts/set-outs, drill a yard, switch a few industrial sidings, all in a small space.

I've considered this in my 7.5 x 9 "den", but I just can't find a way that works for me. Also, building is a sign that I've come to accept the fact that I live in a condo, which I haven't... still planning for that basement  :'(

[asciibaron]

if i move a bookcase i can expand the space to 8.5 x 11 - i have tried to develop a plan like Erik W's Rio Grande, but i think i need to try something else - no access to the hidden staging makes me very nervous...

[ednadolski]

Here is the perfect track plan:

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/2/5/2/5252.1178737200.jpg

Just choose a scale that fits your space:

http://www.platelayer.com/mj/tehachapi/index.asp


 

[asciibaron]

8.5 x 11 is a very doable room size.  time to dig thru the MR's and see what i can lame-a-ify

-steve

[asciibaron]

alright - were are the track plan gurus - i'd like to fit this in my space - i know it's doable, i just can't seem to get it right.

http://asciibaron.dyndns.org/LHR/soeborg-up.jpg

i've always liked this plan and i know something like this will fit in my space - plenty of staging, plenty of operations, and plenty of just watching the trains. 

-steve

[POVC]

Assuming I'm doing my math right, scaling his room size from HO to N would mean you'd need a 12' x 6.25' room.  You could probably scrunch it a bit, trading length for width, to get it in a 11' x 8.5' space.  It would mean your straights would be a little shorter, but it would increase the radius on your curves.

I think that plan is do-able; get out your graph paper (or CAD software) and try to copy his plan more or less exactly in your space.  ;D

Tim

[asciibaron]

I think that plan is do-able; get out your graph paper (or CAD software) and try to copy his plan more or less exactly in your space.  ;D

i'm having a problem with the access along the "canyon" area.  i'm trying to make it three feet wide - perfect for maintaining access to the storage under the stairs.  accessing the sump pump area via crawling under the layout is not an issue.  i could live with 30 inches of access, but i think that might be a tad tight for a second operator on a bar stool (aka my sons watching the action).

-steve

[asciibaron]

trying to stick with the L&HR, i came up with this - it allows me to keep the Odgensburg branch. 

[wm3798]

Well now, that's a start!~

Lee

[sirenwerks]

Well now, that's a start!~

Lee

The start of more waffling?