mydartswinger
Member
Good evening all,
I posted this on another forum, but since it's my first post there, it hasn't shown up yet. I figured I'd go ahead and post it here to reach a different audience as well.
I've been constructing an HO scale layout that is a modern coal mine based in an Appalachian Mountain area served by NS. I'm at a point now (only a few trees, people, details, and new locomotives from here out.) where I'm ready to start the planning on a new layout. The build thread for this layout is located at http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19185. I considered O scale, since I really enjoy operating O scale and have the power, locomotives, and rolling stock to do so. I've even considered several track plans for it. However, knowing that I'm going to be moving within a year and not knowing the kind of space that I will have available to me once moved, I've opted to go for an N scale layout.
With that in mind, I've selected a 4x8 size to go with. I know there are many reasons why not to go with a 4x8, and have considered other options (around the wall, shelf, surround, etc...). I don't want to get into why or why not to build a 4x8, just track plan options (I'm also aware that I should design a track plan, then design the benchwork to suit).
I'm wanting to go with a Rocky Mountain theme this time around. Based somewhere in Colorado on a UP mainline (possibly shared with BNSF as well). I want it to be freelanced in the modern era to a point where older UP (and their fallen flag's) locomotives (SP AC-12, UP Big Boy, UP Challenger, UP GTEL, SP GS-4, etc... Though of these, only a challenger is in operation currently that I know of) can make an appearance without much detraction from the layout's theme. Broad curves (as broad as feasible) and minimal grades (1.5-2%) are my goals to allow for longer trains and bigger locomotives. I would like to have tunnels, bridges, and rivers on the layout. I'm looking for a good mix of continuous running and switching operation. My current HO layout is lacking in the switching department, and I'm looking to do more switching. As for industries, I haven't decided on that just yet. I've done coal on my HO layout, so I'm looking for something a bit different. Maybe some passenger service, maybe some intermodal, maybe dry goods, maybe produce, I'm still open for ideas on this.
I'm considering using a modified version of Atlas's N17 (Scenic and Relaxed) for this layout, but am open to other options. I've modified the plan to include a minimum radius of 17.5" and a minimum turnout of #7 with grades of 1.5-2%. However, I'm a bit leery of using the grade like that on the right hand side of the layout due to that particular grade having a turnout in the middle of the grade. I would like to avoid that. On this particular design, moving the grade before the turnout would increase the grade to 3-4% (a grade I'm trying to avoid on this layout, as my current layout has 4% grades).
Attached is my modified Scenic and Relaxed layout, as created in Atlas RTS (this is just an image file, if you want the actual .ral file, let me know).
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Shannon
I posted this on another forum, but since it's my first post there, it hasn't shown up yet. I figured I'd go ahead and post it here to reach a different audience as well.
I've been constructing an HO scale layout that is a modern coal mine based in an Appalachian Mountain area served by NS. I'm at a point now (only a few trees, people, details, and new locomotives from here out.) where I'm ready to start the planning on a new layout. The build thread for this layout is located at http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19185. I considered O scale, since I really enjoy operating O scale and have the power, locomotives, and rolling stock to do so. I've even considered several track plans for it. However, knowing that I'm going to be moving within a year and not knowing the kind of space that I will have available to me once moved, I've opted to go for an N scale layout.
With that in mind, I've selected a 4x8 size to go with. I know there are many reasons why not to go with a 4x8, and have considered other options (around the wall, shelf, surround, etc...). I don't want to get into why or why not to build a 4x8, just track plan options (I'm also aware that I should design a track plan, then design the benchwork to suit).
I'm wanting to go with a Rocky Mountain theme this time around. Based somewhere in Colorado on a UP mainline (possibly shared with BNSF as well). I want it to be freelanced in the modern era to a point where older UP (and their fallen flag's) locomotives (SP AC-12, UP Big Boy, UP Challenger, UP GTEL, SP GS-4, etc... Though of these, only a challenger is in operation currently that I know of) can make an appearance without much detraction from the layout's theme. Broad curves (as broad as feasible) and minimal grades (1.5-2%) are my goals to allow for longer trains and bigger locomotives. I would like to have tunnels, bridges, and rivers on the layout. I'm looking for a good mix of continuous running and switching operation. My current HO layout is lacking in the switching department, and I'm looking to do more switching. As for industries, I haven't decided on that just yet. I've done coal on my HO layout, so I'm looking for something a bit different. Maybe some passenger service, maybe some intermodal, maybe dry goods, maybe produce, I'm still open for ideas on this.
I'm considering using a modified version of Atlas's N17 (Scenic and Relaxed) for this layout, but am open to other options. I've modified the plan to include a minimum radius of 17.5" and a minimum turnout of #7 with grades of 1.5-2%. However, I'm a bit leery of using the grade like that on the right hand side of the layout due to that particular grade having a turnout in the middle of the grade. I would like to avoid that. On this particular design, moving the grade before the turnout would increase the grade to 3-4% (a grade I'm trying to avoid on this layout, as my current layout has 4% grades).
Attached is my modified Scenic and Relaxed layout, as created in Atlas RTS (this is just an image file, if you want the actual .ral file, let me know).
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Shannon