Here we go again, Track plan again....

[delamaize]

So I dunno if I should be asking, because it seems that every time I start to mess with some kind of layout, Something happens that I can't actually finish, Let alone start one.
Examples:
Tenino & Southern (Mk. 1) 2003-2006 ended by divorce...
Mutual Lumber Camp 2, 2007-2009 ended by ETS orders to germany
Kitchen table & Southern 2011-2012 Ended by ANOTHER divorce. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=23898.0

ANYWAYS:

Each piece of foam is 48"x10" and I have some more odd shaped foam parts to use for terrian.

I have a fist full of old Code 80 atlas flex, 4 left, and 5 right Atlas Switches (http://fiferhobbysu770.corecommerce.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=11705) that was given to me, I have some foam laying around, a, and the means to make a small industrial-type switching layout, so I am looking for ideas. Region is the PNW, Era is transision,  Equipment, Ideally, is 40' rolling stock, NW1/SW1200/4 axel switchers/small steamers, everything else is up in the air. I know you guys (especally DKS) are probably getting tiard of hearing me ask for layout help, so if no one wants to play, I understand. My skills for track planning and scenery is really lacking, and I can use all the help and pointers I can get. this is another "Use what you got" plan.

[PAL_Houston]

Don't overthink this.

I suggest you start connecting your track on your table, and see what develops.  After you get that set, pick it up, put down your foam and use some latex caulk to tack your track back down where you want it.  This should make for a pleasant weekend and you may even get to run some trains!

[kalbert]

Check out some of the smaller switching designs Byron Henderson has done.
http://www.layoutvision.com/gallery/index.html

Certainly not the end all be all of design work, but there's alot of interesting stuff there and the way he describes his thought about how the plans would work gives you good insight into how your own idea might evolve.

[Mark.S+10]

Stop getting married?

Have fun, Mark

[MichaelWinicki]

Stop getting married?

Have fun, Mark

Next one will get a half of a half of a half. 

[Philip H]

So I dunno if I should be asking, because it seems that every time I start to mess with some kind of layout, Something happens that I can't actually finish, Let alone start one.
Examples:
Tenino & Southern (Mk. 1) 2003-2006 ended by divorce...
Mutual Lumber Camp 2, 2007-2009 ended by ETS orders to germany
Kitchen table & Southern 2011-2012 Ended by ANOTHER divorce. https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=23898.0

ANYWAYS:

Each piece of foam is 48"x10" and I have some more odd shaped foam parts to use for terrian.

I have a fist full of old Code 80 atlas flex, 4 left, and 5 right Atlas Switches (http://fiferhobbysu770.corecommerce.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=11705) that was given to me, I have some foam laying around, a, and the means to make a small industrial-type switching layout, so I am looking for ideas. Region is the PNW, Era is transision,  Equipment, Ideally, is 40' rolling stock, NW1/SW1200/4 axel switchers/small steamers, everything else is up in the air. I know you guys (especally DKS) are probably getting tiard of hearing me ask for layout help, so if no one wants to play, I understand. My skills for track planning and scenery is really lacking, and I can use all the help and pointers I can get. this is another "Use what you got" plan.

Well, how about looking at some aerial photos pf Seattle, Tacoma, Edmunds or Grays Harbor from the late 1950?  I could see a nice rendition of the switching that is now in Seattle's SODO District, or maybe something from the Tacoma water front.  GRays Harbor would give you modeling of the lumber mill as a background flat . . .

Or, grab some elements of your previous layouts that you really liked, sketch them together on the foam you have, build a lot of Douglas Fir and name it Steilicoom or something else PNW sounding.  Actually now that I think about it, modeling the coneections between Joint Base Lewis-McChord and the mainline in Steilicoom could have potential as well.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My recommendations? More layouts, stay away from fast women... 

Aside from that, I really don't know much about the PNW in the 50s, aside from what I've seen occasionally on Shorpy.

[DKS]

Why not start with two of the four sides from one of these:

http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/plan-3.htm

http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/plan-4.htm

http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/plan-8.htm

That effectively gets you about a dozen different options as starting points.

[pwnj]

+10

[davefoxx]

My recommendations? More layouts, stay away from fast women... 

Aside from that, I really don't know much about the PNW in the 50s, aside from what I've seen occasionally on Shorpy.

Nah, more fast women, just don't marry them.   

[M.C. Fujiwara]

I kinda like this "T" idea:



Which comes from some German dude (totally forgot to note the website when I found it).

The late Steinjr has a bunch of shelf switching designs that you can combine:
http://home.online.no/~steinjr/trains/modelling/
His HO 2'x8' can scale nicely to N 12"-15"x6'.

Steinjr also sketched out this "L" of Lance Mindheim's "The Beginner" wrapped around a corner:



Or something like this where the staging is just behind a large building/industry:



Food for thought.

[pnolan48]

I am probably the worst layout consultant on this forum.

And even worse at marriages.

[Hornwrecker]

I've got a friend of mine, who lurks here, who's been through three wives and a hell of a lot more layouts.  Trying to get him sign up. 

[delamaize]

I kinda like this "T" idea:

Hawt. I like that one, an I got another hunk of foam to make it a T..... I think I know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow......where did I put the perminat marker....

[packers#1]

if you have access to the MR track plan database, that plan is the Pike City Belt Line, and it's basically the same one MC copied, except the  long end with the switchback is much different, with one line coming towards the bench and staging behind an industry