Your plans for how much can fit on each wall sound like more than I could fit in, at least with a once-through-the-scene design. How long of trains do you expect to run?
I am planning on 20-25 car trains so I need about 11' passing sidings to make sure I have room for each. I am thinking about 1 siding at the beginning and end of the helix on each deck so that the helix acts a a run between sidings. That would mean I would have to push Judith trestle (lower deck) to the 16' wall and make the lower deck 13' wall one of the smaller towns along the line that had a siding. John
An N scale layout I built back in the 1990's was set up for sidings to hold 20 cars of average 40 foot length. Plus a caboose, and three SD40-2. Seems to me I that did not need eleven feet. I still have a stick I'd made back then, with scaled information, stashed downstairs somewhere. Boxcab E50
True, 11 feet may be more than I need but it is better to have one that is too long versus too short. I did not get much time to think trains last night so I still have nothing to show other than the benchwork outline. Shown below the outline for both decks, 18" wide and 48LF of wall for a total of 96LF of layout once both decks are complete. Staging for both decks will be at the top right of the layout and will be on casters so I can move it when not in use. I am still trying to make sure everything will fit properly. The magenta lines in the plan are joints I will make in the benchwork so that if I ever move (likely) I can at least make my life easier. The helix is 18" radius and the backdrop will have coved corners. You will see a gap between the wall and benchwork since I am going to attempt to make the benchwork freestanding and not attach it to the wall to avoid holes, patching later on if possible. If not then I will do what I have to do. I am hoping over lunch I can get some track planning done. I am an Autocad draftsman by trade so it does not take long to draw things once I get the basic ideas down, at least for the track orientations. We'll see what happens. John
My template sample was calculated at eight feet. So eleven is plenty long. Gives you a good amount of flexibility. And a couple of feet that can go away, if need be. Boxcab E50
As some of you may have heard me say before, I designed many layouts for 11' trains. That was to allow 3 SD40-2 or 2 C44-9W and 21 72' cars with no caboose. That would allow for about 29 cars if they're 50-footers.
Why don't you just build it in Z-scale!! That way you could model the WHOLE line from Chicago to Seattle!!:teeth: Micro-Trains already has GP9's and F's in MILW paint, and alot more freight cars are now available, and in the next couple months, the SD40-2's are coming out!
John, in between 12-hour days, the exhaustion may be catching up with me. Are you not planning on a return loop in the upper right corrner of that plan? Are you planning on a helix at both ends to navigate between decks and staging? On a side note, if a third deck is not feasible, why not use a false backdrop, and run a long staging yard, 3-tracks deep, on the bottom level?
Oh don't tempt me LOL I'd love to but cost for Z scale stuff seems way out of my league from what I can tell. John
I too look forward to seeing your track plan,as I am looking into getting back into N Scale and model the Milwaukee from Savanna,Il to Ottumwa,Ia from 1981-1985.I am going to use SD40-2's for the main line freights and kit bash MP15AC's using the Atlas MP 15DC as a starting point.I look forward to seeing the progress of your layout.
I hadn't planned on a loop at the top right end of the benchwork, however, I do like your idea to use a false backdrop and conceal staging behind it. Access may be a problem though unless I use the center of the turnback loop for access. I am going to use a helix to navigate between decks but the staging yards are separate for each deck. I have not done any more planning over the last few days as I have been in VA visiting relatives. Hopefully I can get some done tomorrow. John
I'd love to see what you come up with. I have spent a lot of time reading the Morning Sun books on the eastern side of the MILW. There is a great photo of the Savanna engine terminal in one of them. It was cool to see how the black cinders on the tracks contrasted with the surrounding areas. I often wonder if I should switch modeling locales to something more east. I still wonder LOL Everyday actually. John
John,I am working on track plans for the area,since I am very familiar with the area.I am hopeful that some day the manufacturers will come out with an MP15AC and early version SD40-2 in N Scale along with a bay window caboose and other cars.I look forward to seeing the track plan you come up with,and am enjoying this thread,and will continue to follow along with your progress on the layout.
That would work too. I love the North Montana area, especially when I lived there. However, the more I think about it the more that area does not meet what I want in a layout. While there are some spectacular trestles and the depot is awesome, there is just too much expanse of nothing out that way and would require an IMMENSE amount of static grass LOL I spend a lot of time looking at MR and others and last night I was looking at the Model Railroad Planning 2008 I believe and there was a plan by Frank Hodina that was HO scale that made me think "Wow, this could really be scaled down to N scale and modified to fit my space". It was double deck, staging at both ends, yard at both ends, plenty of mainline activity and switching, mid-west locale, steam era, etc. Virtually everything the MILW was in that area of the country. And it provides a LOT more structure building along with scenery and far more operation. And since I am not much of a trackplanner I would be better served by building from a published plan. I am going to look at it again tonight and really see if it would work for me. I am also chomping at the bit to get the new MRP and GMR issue this year. I need new reading material. John
Yes. 2008. This is what proto-freelance, or pure freelance can give you. In proto-freelance, you can adapt all the appearances. Power and rolling stock, structures, bridge and track design. Just place it in the desired setting! Boxcab E50
Long time no post but there have been some changes to my plans. A full room layout (13'x16') is out of the question as the space is being reserved more for my son than me now. Plus a possible move to Spokane, Washington or thereabouts in the future has made me scale back what I want to accomplish. But I am still left with a wall 19' long and up to 36" wide so I can still model a lot in that space. (BTW the move is only possible due to the fact I am thinking about going to work for the government at Fairchild AFB provided a job opens up for me and I get it) While I had wanted a layout that I can operate I am now leaning on one that is more of a railfan type layout with operating potential. It will be a continuous run type layout but with trains only running through the scene once and disappearing to staging. Now what part to model. Suggestions? More of a mountainous area versus eastern side is preferred. Any areas in the west that would make it easy to hide the backside of the continuous run and give me some switching opportunities? Comments as always are appreciated. John
Just my opinion but consider 16 mile canyon between Sixteen MT and Three Forks MT. You could model alot of tunnels and trestles, including Eagle's Nest Tunnel and Trestle,the Lombard MT bridge across the river and the interchange with the NP, switching and operational opportunities at 3 Forks, Lombard and at Sixteen disappear behind some trees or a hill into staging. Just a quick thought.
Many possibilities. If you do move to Spokane vicinity, you'll want to spend some time exploring. Which may influence your plans greatly. Boxcab E50
