I have finally reached the point where my new layout can be started. This 4 x 8 section will be the starting point of a much larger layout which will eventually occupy an area of 10 x 21 feet. I have "roughed" in the rest of my space, but for now I will concentrate on the construction of an initial section based on Model Railroader's "Virginian" project which appeared as a series of construction articles last year. I will be moving up the timeframe a few decades to the present, and the place names will change in the future when I firm up my plans. For now locations have been labeled according to the MR plan. Originally I was going to use Atlas Code 55 for the track, but supply and availabilty issues prompted me to attempt a Kato Unitrack version of the plan. Initially I was a tad skeptical about going the Unitrack route and was worried that the somewhat limited track geometry would limit the look of the plan. In the end, I think it worked out fairly well. Kato track is always available and is a robust and bulletproof product. I also like the fact that I can easily add track gradually as time and finances permit and know that everything will fit together in the end. I also plan on using up the Atlas flex I do have on hand in the yard area. Right from the beginning, I set out to design the layout in N scale, using the HO space. This results in broader curves and gentler grades resulting in a more relaxed look which will suit the mountainous theme very well. While I am not entirely satisfied with how close the track is to the edge along the sides of the layout, I am willing to compromise on that and plan to install some sort of a clear plastic barrier to prevent any equipment from being rudely introduced to the basement floor. Benchwork has already commenced, and I hope to share progress as time permits. Although I am fairly satisfied with the design, I am open to any suggestions or criticisms.
Looking at the branch line, which also leads "To Future Expansion", I don't see any way to run around a train. So it appears everything will need to be a shoving move to access the two potential industry sites?
I plan on adding a second 4 x 8 table to the right of the one in the plan, and this will lengthen the branch line and lead to a large mine at the end of the branch. Along the way there will be two runaround tracks to facilitate switching. I have a pretty firm idea as to what the final design of the layout will be, I just want to get going on the first 32 square foot section for now before the wife starts making more cracks about how I am all-plan-and-no-build.
Above is a proposed design for the second 4 x 8 section, which incorporate the rest of the branchline. This area is still open to revision and construction will probably not begin until the first section is more or less complete. I envision this area to be more of a railfanning section with nice scenic opportunities. The double track mainline will continue up to a major yard which will extend 21 feet along the wall on a 14 inch wide shelf parallel with the main body of the layout. No part of the layout will have more than a 24 inch reach in distance, so all areas will have easy access. There will have to be a duckunder to reach the yard area but I plan on building the benchwork high enough so that rolling under with an office chair will be no problem. This is all still a work very much in progress, and perhaps with some suggestions from the peanut gallery I will build the best layout of all time. Okay... maybe that's a bit ambitious. Time will tell.
I can't tell the branch from the main in the 2nd part. It looks like you're using Anyrail, so you could make the main and branchline different colors... I really like the updated Virginian pt.1.
Yes, I used Anyrail to design the trackplan. I still need to tweak a few things, and at some point I will do a proper rendition with layers, but for now I wanted to get going on construction. I am satisfied to know that everything will fit, even though the images are confusing to the eye. By the way, I can't say enough about Anyrail. It really is the easiest design program I have ever tried to use. The learning curve is not nearly as steep as with some others, although I DO have to get the hang of a few more facets of it.
Looking it over I would suggest maybe backing off all the track? In the past, I found myself ripping out sidings and all these staging yards because they overwhelmed the layout. I am in the begining stages of doing a Virginian Layout on a 4x8 with the center cut out so I can avoid having too much track. Not sure if you've seen British Modeler Peter Norths HO scale Virginian layout, but it's a simple circle with staging inside the loop. He has plenty of room to run his stuff. In N scale, with that space you do have room for a coal yard and a few sidings. I think once you start working on the scenery, you'll appreciate cutting down on some of that rail. Just an observation, everyone has their own ideas and needs. Looking forward to seeing your progress!! Cheers Joe MTL
Originally I was looking at building the layout according to this plan for a 4 x 16 foot space, but I really wanted to be able to run long trains and this version was more or less self-contained with no real staging possibilities. Not to mention that it looked too busy and felt somewhat track heavy. It's really hard to tell from a track plan how the layout would look, and it's entirely possible that I will remove some of the track elements as I build. Even in N scale it's quite easy to overwhelm your space with track and I always leaned towards the "less is more" side of things. I tend to be more of a builder than an operator, and I love the look of long trains winding their way through lush scenery. I'll leave intact enough track to make an operating session feasible, but that is definitely not my focus. I'll be working on benchwork this weekend, and I should be posting a few progress pics shortly thereafter.
I kinda like that plan. Looks a little busy but fun! :sly: ------------------------------- Mike Grant It's never too late to have a happy childhood!! ------------------------------- http://mikesshopping. com
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/202934.aspx?sort=ASC&pi314=1 Here is someone doing the Virginian layout that MR did, with some mods. Interesting work.
I am quite familiar with the Virginian build thread on MR's website. It is quite a good rendition, almost as good as the one built by the MR staff. Right from the beginning I was thinking how much better an N scale version of the layout would be. Working with the original four by eight footprint will allow for a few additional elements as well as allowing for nice broad (for N scale) curves. Eventually I will expand the layout. When that happens, the entire "Virginian" section will function as a branch line off a double tracked main.
While taking a break from benchwork construction yesterday I took some time to sit at the computer and work on what the layout could possibly look like it if/when it expands into the 10 x 21 foot space I am allowed by my better half in the basement. I don't imagine I will get around to completing this design for a while yet as I am focusing on the "Virginian" section for now. But I do like to see what options I have going forward. The plan allows for a double track mainline which will allow me to run two nice long trains at a time, while it will be possible to switch the yard and surrounding industries, as well as the mine trackage without interrupting trains on the main. All of the track is shown as Kato Unitrack, although I will be using lengths of flex for all the yard tracks or any long tangent stretches. Please feel free to comment.
