Hello again!

[DKS]

Hello again, hello again. I seem to be coming full circle back to an old topic myself. Allow me to offer a few observations.

As has been mentioned already, you're trying to cram an awful lot of track into a very small space. Right off the bat I foresee issues with access to all of the hidden track. Also, this plan has the visual feel of an old Lionel setup, with its right angle curves and straight track rigidly aligned with the layout perimeter.

Some years ago I developed a series of track plans for Z scale sectional track. I found one that has roughly the same proportions as your proposed layout, and it creates the effect of multiple levels without having to resort to loop-the-loops and loads of hidden track. Since it was designed using sectional trck, it should be fairly easy to adapt to N Scale Code 80 snap track or the like.

http://davidksmith.com/modeling/images/southern_jersey.jpg

This plan offers continuous operation, plus plenty of switching action given that it has a small yard and multiple sidings. At the same time, it has enough open space to appear much less cramped, has minimal hidden track (which can be accessed with lift-off panels), and avoids the rectilinear appearance of sectional track.

I hope it provides some food for thought.

[davefoxx]

I like that plan!  Glad you're back, @David K. Smith.  You were missed.

DFF

[wazzou]

That DKS plan is a good one in that space.

[ScrewySqrl]

It is a nice plan, but since I want over-under as part of my continuous running...  I know it look 'model railroady' but that's ok to me.


here's the more extensive 3x5 (with the 1.2 scale mile mainline run) with a town and other scenery. I don't think it look TOO bad, and th roads at an angle helps offset the track matching the shape of the island:

[DKS]

I know it look 'model railroady' but that's ok to me.

Well, OK. Then what do you need us for?

[Chris333]

There was that one Z plan that Scibbe did, it had over under.

[DKS]

There was that one Z plan that Scibbe did, it had over under.

There were so many... was it this one?

http://davidksmith.com/modeling/images/grey_river.gif

[Mark5]

here's the more extensive 3x5 (with the 1.2 scale mile mainline run) with a town and other scenery.

You have a 40' loop? (1.2 scale miles).

I don't have much in this as it's largely about personal taste, but the tracks right up to the edge would make me nervous.

Mark

[Chris333]

There were so many... was it this one?

http://davidksmith.com/modeling/images/grey_river.gif

Yep, that was it.

[DKS]

Maybe this will help in the future...

http://davidksmith.com/track-planning/index.htm

[ScrewySqrl]

You have a 40' loop? (1.2 scale miles).

I don't have much in this as it's largely about personal taste, but the tracks right up to the edge would make me nervous.

Mark

yep.  474.32 inches,  just under 40 feet (480 inches) in a 3x5 space...crowded but with room for scenery. It comes it to 1.1977777777...., which I rounded up to 1.2

[Dave V]

yep.  474.32 inches,  just under 40 feet (480 inches) in a 3x5 space...crowded but with room for scenery. It comes it to 1.1977777777...., which I rounded up to 1.2

I'm still struggling to imagine you've crammed a 40 foot run into a 3x5.

As for model railroady, if you want to stuff the space with track...ain't nothin' wrong with that other than you probably won't find very many like-minded members here.  Less is more is more the mantra around these parts.  Linear design and negative space.

That said I did something deliberately model-railroady: 

...and I'm happy with how it's coming out.  It's meant as a train show crowd pleaser (and it's 2.5 x 5 feet).  But my latest adventure, modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District in HOn3, is going to be as linear and as simple as I can make it.

To each his own.  I find both linearly-designed layouts and spaghetti bowls appealing in their own rights if done well...but if you're looking for a Railwire stamp of approval on a folded dogbone with track on the layout edge, you're not likely to find it.  In the end ya gotta do you, man.

[DKS]

So, trying to cram the longest run into 3 x 5 feet? You're not trying hard enough.

http://davidksmith.com/modeling/images/max-track.jpg

This beast has a 51.79' mainline run, or 1.569 scale miles. Also, note that putting the yard on the upper level allows you to make it much larger.

And there's still room for some buildings and scenery...

[MichaelWinicki]

A lot to be said for a plan like that.

If you want to operate some trains in a small space... It's outstanding.

[Mark5]

So, trying to cram the longest run into 3 x 5 feet? You're not trying hard enough.

http://davidksmith.com/modeling/images/max-track.jpg

This beast has a 51.79' mainline run, or 1.569 scale miles. Also, note that putting the yard on the upper level allows you to make it much larger.

And there's still room for some buildings and scenery...

That's a nuts! Gotta throw together some tomato sauce to go with that!