05-11-2009, 10:55 AM
A few years ago I started model railroading again but it went on hold due to moving and lack of space. Now things have changed once again, there is more space available, and of course that has to be celebrated by picking up the hobby again. I've brainstormed a bit for layout designs within the limitations: no more than one foot wide shelf and not too long as the whole thing has to be transportable and not too overwhelming but it seemed rather difficult to get something good.
Anyhow, I did come up with the following layout and would appreciate some comments and criticism on whether the layout will work and whether it will be fun (in your opinion at least...)
The layout is designed to be built in two parts. I will first build the right hand part, as it contains the switching yard and some industry to have something to do. I'm not sure about the turntable yet, as it might be fiddly, but I need some place for the engines, and this is probably the most stylish solution..
The left hand part has more possiibilities for landscaping but less track, so it probably only works as an extention for the right part. There is a town with a small passenger terminal and an industry. I'm not sure about the track layout around the industries yet, especially the left hand side industry might be unoperable. If for some reason I get the opportunity to expand the layout even more, more modules could be added between the two parts, anything from more narrow modules to loops and whatnot.
The entire two module layout is 8 feet long and 1 foot wide, spurs are designed to hold 12 to 18 inch trains, so short engine and a couple cars.
So that much for this time. I think the left hand side module could be changed a bit. Any comments are appreciated!
Edit: Oh, and it's all N-gauge, small steam engines and two-axle wagons and mostly manual switches (at least most of them).
Anyhow, I did come up with the following layout and would appreciate some comments and criticism on whether the layout will work and whether it will be fun (in your opinion at least...)
The layout is designed to be built in two parts. I will first build the right hand part, as it contains the switching yard and some industry to have something to do. I'm not sure about the turntable yet, as it might be fiddly, but I need some place for the engines, and this is probably the most stylish solution..
The left hand part has more possiibilities for landscaping but less track, so it probably only works as an extention for the right part. There is a town with a small passenger terminal and an industry. I'm not sure about the track layout around the industries yet, especially the left hand side industry might be unoperable. If for some reason I get the opportunity to expand the layout even more, more modules could be added between the two parts, anything from more narrow modules to loops and whatnot.
The entire two module layout is 8 feet long and 1 foot wide, spurs are designed to hold 12 to 18 inch trains, so short engine and a couple cars.
So that much for this time. I think the left hand side module could be changed a bit. Any comments are appreciated!
Edit: Oh, and it's all N-gauge, small steam engines and two-axle wagons and mostly manual switches (at least most of them).
-norm