My Must-Haves When I design a Model Railroad
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
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“The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
don’t be happy when they stumble.
For the Lord will be displeased with you
and will turn his anger away from them.
Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.”
Proverbs 24: 16-19 NLT - Jak na to + styl
My must have is money 😂😂
Model Railroading has become a very expensive hobby. There are ways to save on scenery and buildings and rolling stock, but to have a quality locomotive, it can be very expensive.
😂😂😂💀
I am amazed in how much the hobby has evolved from the point I first got into it. True point-to-point layouts were rare with the vast majority being loops crammed with as much track as possible, the spaghetti bowl approach, with spurs as an after thought. Finding that sweet spot of continuous running combined with 'realistic' switching can be a challenge.
Yeah I'm going to have a continuous run section on my layout, in addition to switching, but make it hidden in certain sections as to not get the train set around the Christmas tree feel.
I think the biggest help to getting away from the spaghetti bowl is DCC. The fact that you can control individual locomotives more realistically probably helped create the want for more realism overall.
@@kents.2866 View blocking is an essential element I feel to provide the illusion of greater distance to the over all track plan. Having a hidden area where a train can be stopped for even five minutes while other tasks are going on can greatly add to the this illusion.
@@gbwdude When DCC first hit the market I was still in high school and thus it was well out of my reach financially. And now with DCC ++ EX out there as an option it is something I am looking forward to getting more into.
@@Horse2021 I agree! This is another advantage of a helix, because the train running through it is out of site (assuming the helix is hidden) for at least a minute or two.
I like to watch my trains run, sometimes a little bit of switching. Normally when I'm finished work on my conputer or cleaning someone else or doing repairs or upgrades. I head to my basement to relax and watching trains run in all directions is my time to relax.
Nice list. I must have bridges, and lots of them. I think the most dramatic view of a train in crossing a bridge.
Nice vid!
1.long runs
2.moderate yard
3. Industries
4. Line leading to the outside world.
When I was little, my grandfather would tell me a story of him watching the Mallets climb Saluda Grade, it has become an inspiration for me to design a mountain themed layout with push, pull helper operation. It is just like you said, designed to be "out in the sticks" away from cities and large towns. Hopefully one day I get a chance to build this layout!
NSModeler24 (I think I got his name right) has a layout that follows that very theme. I'd definitely check him out if you haven't already
Continuous run is a must! In addition to watching trains run is hearing the "clacking" of the wheels crossing sections of track!
Thank you. Planning is the biggest stumbling block for me. I've built several railroads that were never finished bc of poor planning. Your approach will help in my future plans.
For my penny's worth there are several elements of a good model railroad. These elements are in addition to "off stage" area and runaround/drill track. Some sort of yard, passing tracks, sidings, interchange, and branch lines. Combine these elements of at least one of each in a Model railroad and expand from there. Create vignettes of approximately 2 to 3 feet. Tell a story with a progression and a meaning for being. This holds true for either prototype recreation, freelancing, or some where in-between. Expand on this theme and elements as your layout grows. Absolutely rock solid realibable running is a Must. Draw the viewer into the scene/vignette giving a sense of being in/part of the scene. Gently direct him/her toward the next scene. As Frank Ellis would say treat your layout as the stage and your trains as the actors to tell a story. Use all the senses, to enthrall the viewer. Sight, sound*, touch, smell. Barely perceptible sounds. Like the wind gently blowing, the hoot of an owl. The babbling of a brook/stream. Barely perceptible but there. The hint of a scent. The smell of pine in the forest, loco smoke done sparingly. Wood burning smoke from a chimney. The sense of feel. What feeling does the scene convey? Texture, color, sound. Ask your self; Is this creation fun? Does it allow the spectator in as well as the owner? Those are some of the things I consider must haves. * Sound can be a dicey thing indeed. It doesn't take much to be overbearing. Be mindfully of that as you journey on steel rails.
See you on down the line pard,
Leonard Lee Davis
This is a great list and largely follows my preferences as well. A sixth one I’d add is to have some sort of small yard for classifying cars. I really enjoy that piece of operations so much that I largely designed my layout around a yard - the yard is the focal point, staging serves the yard, the locals exist to keep the yard busy etc.
that said, I enjoy the local switching too and if I didn’t have enough room, the local switching would scratch the itch just fine.
Another fantastic vid. I just made the bench work for my layout yesterday. And then…. I decided it was going in a different room in the basement and that I could have gone bigger. nearly 3 feet wide “L- shaped” 6 ft one way, 4 the other. Kinda glad I didn’t start bigger. I’m in the same school of thought as far as switching and continuous loops, though my town will be more of a focus, because that’s what I truly love to model.
I work right behind a rail line that runs right through my smaller town, and get to see a lot of interesting stuff
Since giving up my childhood 4x8 in 2015 I've explored a lot of minimal track plans, and found the two most important things for me are split sidings (Inglenook style) and having straight sections in long curves.
My first attempt at a downsized layout was a circle to go around the Christmas tree, but I soon found that I needed to see the cars straighten out every once in a while. Otherwise the train is just chasing itself around a curve forever! I added some straight sections to make a sort of triangle and it made it so much more interesting.
My childhood layout had two sidings which were just single spurs off the main line meaning that any car sorting or spotting would tie up the main line. They had been tacked on as kind of an afterthought. So when I started laying out my switching shelf layout, I included one siding that split into two for increased sorting and spotting opportunities.
I agree with everything you said. I would add that on my layout I have industries at both ends along with my continuous running loops. I have industries that feed the industries at the other end ie a lumber mill feeds lumber to a lumber yard and pulp to a paper factory. Then the lumber yard feeds lumber to a furniture factory that then sends furniture to a distribution warehouse etc. I setup up empties to be picked up along with full loads to be dropped off and run a session to do all that. Much of this has been inspired by your layouts and wonderful videos. Thanks and keep up the great work.
When I had my old HCD layout in my bedroom, I loved turning on a train and just listen to it circle the layout. It was always so relaxing to me. With my new layout, I'm torn between two towns (one at each end) or having one division point with tracks going off in two directions.
I appreciate your insights, and especially since we both model in N scale. I've just moved and am designing my next layout. Beyond the "must haves" you've listed, mine include: a representation (it won't be truly prototypical except for the railroad station) of St. Johnsbury, Vermont; a paper mill for industrial switching; a trans load facility for a variety of granular/seed products; and a working interchange between two railroads.
AWESOME!!! I model the track to go over some areas and under others. I also enjoy a visual staging yard to look like a real yard.
Yep, there are many of us who are happy simply watching trains run without doing operations- myself included.
I will one day get mine right! its been 7 years in the making, im making progress, i am only 9! slowly getting there! Blessed that kind folks have gifted me 90 percent of my collections!
Great video! I am currently building my town in my layout. I have this part of the layout have a double track main that starts from one end of the town all the way to my grain elevator on the far side of my layout. This is also used as a run around track from some switching. It’s useful to watch your videos because I get some sort of inspiration for my layout. Thanks for sharing!
I’m in the process of building my n scale layout. I feel the same like to see trains running plus some switching. I have 5 industries maybe 6 with a yard and engine facility. With some turnouts going off the layout. Thanks for sharing. Have a good day.
Very good share of your thoughts Jimmy. I am the exact same way. The only difference is on the layout I am designing that instead of using a circle, I am using dog bone style with returning loops on both ends this way I only have 1 double main track running through the whole layout even thoughfor HO scale, that takes up a lot of room as thatloop is a 30" radius. - Jason
My primary focus has always been an engine facility including turntable and roundhouse. Then I have a choice of a few industries to service. I’m planning a new layout which will include a hidden loop to add to travel time between points as well as continuous running.
Been planning a 3m x 3m round the wall OO scale layout for a year using SCARM. I’m up to version 8 now and still tweaking things, although I think I’m almost ready to start building. Your video is therefore timely as it clarifies for me that your essentials are mine as well. Yes I have the continuous loop. Yes I have industries for operations, perhaps too many! Yes I have hints of connections to the outside world. Yes I have run around tracks to make operations kinda prototypical (but selectively compressed). Yes I have a lower level fiddle yard with a double switchback for access (no room for a helix or cassette, believe me I’ve tried). Next step is to make a very small scale balsa, card and paper mock up to make sure it all works.
As I begin planning my first ever layout, this video is key and important for sure.
I doubt I'll have room for a continuous loop (room will double as my office), but still the other points ring true.
Thank you!
I’m trying to design a layout that includes railroad scenes from my life & that have helped make memories for me. Some are good but from running fire and EMS calls some of the scenes, if you knew more of the stories, are sad to remember but remind me of the good things in my life and the positive impact I’ve had, so far. Trying to connect them is the key for me.
My layout was first based on John Allen's Timesaver puzzle and was just a small switching layout that has evolved into something much bigger. The timesaver is still part of it and is used as an industrial district with 4 customers.
As for continuous running, that is called railfanning and I too run my railroad that way at times. There are times you JUST WANT TO WATCH TRAINS!
As you said most of the time a train is going from point a to point b with nothing to be seen but trees, I try to create that by having the trains go behind and through the scenery but I have to admit that most of my layout is city based just broken into different parts.
Thanks for the videos, Jimmy.
Thank you so much for this vid I've been wanting to make a train layout but didn't know where to start so ty!
Great video as always. I am in the process of a redesign converting a two continuous loop to a folded end to end. I will miss the continuous running but with my space I just can’t stand the endless curves of a loop. Industry is key. Thank you for all of your hard work in making your videos for us!! Dunkin’ Coffee with milk and a fork of sugar.
I've found on my 4'x7' HO layout that one industry spur can support several different types of cars to be moved. My sawmill spur has a tiny loco fueling station at the end of it, so it takes a log car; a flat car to ship the sawn boards; a wood chip/sawdust car, a tank car to fill the underground fuel tank; the switch engine to take on fuel.
Thank you for this particular video. I've been beating myself up trying to design my ideal track plan (using SCARM software). Your point about industries being away from the town center makes total sense. I wish I would have thought of that about 1,800 plans ago! Now, I have some more revising to do....
I also like the hybrid style. I'm just having a hard time fitting it all in, but this gives me some more ideas. I know I'll have days when I want to just run trains (especially when the grandkids are over). But, it will get boring fast if there's nothing to do but watch the train go around and around and around and around... you get the point.
I agree with all, plus I want simultaneous switching and continuous running, even on a small layout. That means having a runaround separate from the main.
Large radii, approach (parabolic) curves, superelevation, double tracks and if possible a double exit and entry to another section. Industries, of course, are needed, too.
Great video and concepts! I'm not a fan of double layer layouts but understand folks with small space need them. I also prefer my staging to be right on the layout in a largish yard, not hidden, but that's me.
Greetings from Ireland. Nice layout and loving the model aircraft. Looks like u have a soft spot for Buccs!! Subbed there now. You made the right choice too in region!!❤
I'm building a short line focusing on grain operations with some light commuter rail service. Grain elevators, a flour mill and breakfast cereal plant are the main industries with a few warehouses and a port city at one end with the interchange to the larger rail network. The lead up to the interchange is on a loop for continuous running trains in the background.
Jimmy, I think it depends on what era, prototype, and scenic elements you want. I do believe a way to make your layout continuous running, when you are by yourself, plus a good way to keep your track clean. I firmly believe you have to factor in train cleaning, hidden tracks, and staging tracks. I like operation so I like to place my industries in proper orientation with the loco. Lastly your bench work has to be solid, and level. Table top layouts are good but if you do a cookie cutter one or one with stringers. Nothing worse that spotting a car and have it roll or derail on a turn out because it is not level. good stuff as always
i have a big and a small staging yard to swap train on either end designed it with the possibility to just let them run around. but they obviously always turn around at each end so it´s way more interesting to see the train leaving in one direction and coming back from that direction. For me it was important that i can do both. proper ops but also just running while i switch in the yard building new trains.
That is very similar to my ideal. At least one if not a double loop with crossovers to allow for run arounds while switching either one spur with industries or an entire yard. The only thing I have not put into a track plan yet is the ability to enter or exit. While prototypical it's just not something I have had space to implement yet although I could lengthen one track off of my yard and do it that way if I ever needed to. Also I agree 100% about towns. While I love the little downtown areas, etc. I'd much rather focus on the trains proper and what they do. Heck part of my layout, if I ever get around to adding it, is a grain elevator that was/is pretty much INSIDE downtown Carrollton, Tx. It's fairly hard to envision it outside of downtown but that is the way i'm going to represent it as to not have my layout dominated by a town scene.
The solution I'm using for "place to enter or exit" is the back part of the loop - or rather, a passing siding and a couple of extra tracks located in the back part of the loop. Loop can be used when I just want to run something, but can also be used as an "offstage" track.
Your "connection" to the outer world does not need to actually go anywhere. It can be a dead end that is just for looks, or it can just go to a hidden mini-yard where you can park a train when it "goes to the next town". You can hide it inside a mountain or behind some buildings. Whatever works for your scenery.
I'd think for me anyway, a continuous running track plan (with a dog bone track plan) with a few hidden staging yards with maybe 3 to 5 towns (a long way apart from each other) would be the best type of layout for me. Though the stock I'd run would be a bit random i.e 1940 Melbourne suburban Tait trains, Turbotrain to steam/diesel freighters and passenger services. So a bit of a random mix there. I'd also have a few mountains on the layout.
My primary modules are for my steam facilities, roundhouse, turntable. I have two main industrial plans for lumber and coal distribution, as well as planning a harbor and army camp.
When I get the funds to start. A cargo port, full of sidetracks and cranes. Tracks go past the outskrits of a town. Then loop around a logging camp and a coal mine. Then follow the coast back.
I did n scale trains in late 70's into the early 90's. It was fun. But the trains are so small. I had some difficulties. Last year I received a small inheritance and now retired I bought a mountain
of HO scale equipment. It's amazing how much the hobby progrest in 30 years. Oh ya, Bridges, tunnels and mountains with steep sides.And Bridges.
I am just starting to put together my layout. It's something that I have wanted to do for YEARS! A nearby hobby store was divesting itself of most of the model train stuff, I bought some things that I thought would look cool or maybe whimsical for half off or less. One of the things I got was a bunch of hay bales, cows, horses and also some corn stalks. So a must have for me is a farm. A small one but a farm. Also a mountain scene of some sort with a stream. I also acquired some rafters and campers.
Hey man it’s your layout do whatever you like for me I need a loop so I can have continuous running and I need some switching so I can have some industries gives the trains something too do. Plus I like to mostly do the scenic stuff over the typical town so most my layout is scenic trees landscapes with some industries and a small town with a gas station and a street of buildings. It’s a 4x8 HO one loop with a dual turn on one side so the train could take the inside curve or an outside curve and the middle of the loop I mostly have switching to industries.
I know this is 7 months after you posted, but here's some thoughts. First, avoid the 4x8 or any solid rectangular bench. There are plenty of layout plans that explain this, but the short of it is that a 4x8 limits you terribly, but with the same wood, you can make a large "donut" shape with much more space. (assuming you have the physical room for it)
Second, if you place your small farm along an edge with a farm backdrop behind it, it can look as large as the vast farms out west. With some careful placement of foreground scenery, it can look like it goes on and on.
Just remember the 2 rules of model railroading:
1: It's your train, your rules. Do it how YOU want to.
2: Have fun. If you're not having fun, you're doing it wrong!
@@chadportenga7858 Thanks for the input.
Yes to those 2 rules. I have one as well. Not sure where I saw/read/heard it. Don't worry about the landscape being perfect - 'cause nature isn't perfect.
I have finally settled on a layout. If you're looking at it after first the room, it's sort of a fancy, backward "L" with the extra up part at the bottom. It's 10x10x7 with two feet of space between the leg and the 'tip'. The space is a little limited due to closet/attic accesses.
I have finished the mountain part of the stream/waterfall/tunnel and am now starting to work on the stream flowing to the 'ocean'.
Jim, just wanted to say how much I enjoy your videos. In addition to all your points, I would add engine servicing; even if just a spur with fuel and sand pile.
My current n-scale layout is underway, representing the CP & CNR lines between Montreal and Winnipeg during World War 2. Constuction was aided by my former N-trak modules and home made sectiions. Currently working on the Montreal harbour scene, focusing on Canadian-Vickers Shipbuilding plant. They built landing craft, Corvettes and submarines for the Allied war effort. Hope to send photos soon. Cheers, Vince Crysler.
I am looking at building a layout so this video is very helpful, thanks for posting.
I share all of your must haves Jimmy. I have a few more such as a balloon track, all cars having the micro trains couplers, and under track neodymium uncoupler magnets for switching ops.
One thing I like is some sort of way to reverse a train (or at least engine and single direction cars). If a layout isn't big enough to be something like a loop to loop, and you are going to operate, it's nice to have trains come from both directions, even if this is just a way to fiddle between operating sessions. Session one, run train eastbound from A to B. Between sessions run the loco around the reversing cutoff to get it facing the other way. Next session run that train westbound from B to A. With a continuous run layout this can be a cut-off with an industry on it, so that it isn't a conspicuously non-prototypical chunk of trackwork.
In HO scale I am doing a point to point (L shaped on a 16" shelf), using a modern industrial park as my theme. Three industries spread out, as the semi trucks need room to maneuver for the docks! N scale (2' x 5') will be continuous run with a couple of sidings for switching. Running a 4-4-0 in the 1940's. Room I have is only 5'8 ' x 9'6 '. Have had to compromise in both scales to make it work. Between the two I have a little bit of everything!
I always have a continuous loop planned. While many of the realistic modelers want to see true-operations, my guests want to see trains run. As my collection of rolling stock has increased, staging yards are important to get running on short notice. My attic layout has two single-entry staging yards that allows me to choose pre-assembled trains for when I want some operations. It also allows me to preset trains to operate in either direction on the single-track main.
My outdoor layout is based on a “less is more approach.” I grew up in rural Wisconsin, I saw trains out in the country, and the random dotting of houses and small town fits my experience.
I think for what you want to with switching your layout is a good design. I think for what I'm modeling which is Amtrak's Northeast Corridor my layout structure is different. Since it's passenger operations it's mostly staging with sub-urban station stops. So I built my layout with t-trak modules and race track running and occasional stops to pick up passengers. Keep up the good work.
Do you need a loop of track for continuous running? NO! Once I figured out how I could have a train continuously running and not require a loop of track to do so, it opened up a lot more options for layout design.
My layout is focussed on passenger traffic. A high speed mainline with local trains shuttling passengers more locally.
What I like on a layout ?
1 ) A Harbour
2 ) Ore Mine
Jimmy, I like interchanges. This is a great industry that can take any kind of car.
For me a need a loop so I can have continuous running next I need switching because thats fun and gives the trains something too do. And lastly i prefer to if space is limited I’d build most the switching stuff inside the loop. Not every layout needs a town in the middle. You could do all industries with the rest of the layout being scenic.
I want at least two stations, a running loop and some kind of shunting yard for doing Inglenook
I like your top five, they align nicely with mine. #6 for me would be engine & car service facilities.
All good rules of thumb Jimmy👍My trains escape the layout via a spur with a rail barge🚂🚃🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋
Neat videos. Must have #1 street lights. Must have #2 magnarail bicycles and cars. Gives the city and rural more life. ❤
Only thing I couldn’t do is add a staging track off the layout…a must have for me will always be passenger service. A must have that I’m developing now is an operating coal tower and operating rotary dumper for a coal consuming business.
I like switching too but really looking into planning a mountain terrain with just a few houses or something mostly wilderness
Good video. I have built 3/4 of a 11&1/2' by 10' layout. I am now seeing that I should have included a larger continuous run. I was trying to have the trackplan reflect actual locations but may have to change that in order to get a longer continuous run.
I agree with you on the key points, my top five:
1. Continous run
2. Staging
3. Switching operations
4. Space between towns
5. Avoid duck-unders and lift-outs
Interchanges have been mentioned in previous comments, I use 2 kinds on my layout; dead and live. Dead is where cars are shoved into a siding to be " picked up" by the connecting rr. Live is where the connecting rr locomotive cones and delivers and picks up from a shared siding.
Nice video, my layout is a swishing layout with the focus on a massive refinery with a maze of piping, and boston gravel and stone, and Boston cement Co. That's it. Photos and a short video I have sent. Enjoy I hope.
I'd say having a wye, reverse loop or turntable would be a must have.
A roundabout is a must have for me. 🇨🇦
My personal HO scale model railroad is a part of the Atchison and Topeka and Santa Fe line through southern New Mexico. I'm modeling a real community that I grew up in and my father remembers when the railway was still running passenger service back in the 50s and '60s what was the industries. Too many people who look at my model railroad they will see repeats of two different Industries however, that is based on reality not get something I did. Sometimes when you want to preserve something you well find that the real world is not as unique as it would be if you chose to do a free Lance layout. With my layout you get to have railfanning as well as industry/yard switching some people may say the town will take away from the focus of the trains but it is more about reservation before the people who know about this this town in the '50s and 60s have passed on that means having to make compromises sometimes.
I agree with everything you said. My layout plan, which for a number of reasons may never come to fruition, is a complete loop around the walls of a small bedroom, with a lift out across the entry door. It is a loop for continuous running, but the town in one corner represents two towns depending on which way you approach it, thus giving point to point. You just have to imagine breaking the loop and straightening out the curves in your mind.
Great list Jimmy! One of my greatest design challenges (which I have not fully solved yet!) is how to get a continuous loop AND operations with off-layout entrance/exit for an interlocking with a main-line. All in HO scale in a fairly restricted space and budget. No sweat, right? LOL
Well I don’t want to give anything away but I may be working on that issue.
I live in an apartment so, I knew that my layout would be small. The layout will be on my dining table which measures 40"x78". I came up with three MUST HAVES for my layout. 1) It must fit on my table. 2) It must run two trains (one passenger line and one freight line) together. 3) It must make the small (Mayberry) town the center as I have no room to spread out. What I have come up with is a passenger line running around the outside edge of the table. The freight line is based on the #9/10 V-set from Kato. This creates two loops for the freight line offering up a look of three lines at the small "yard". You have probably seen or driven on one of those small two-lane highways that top a hill or round a bend and suddenly, you're in a small town. Then, just as suddenly, you're out the other side. My layout will have a "highway" running left to right with rail crossings at each track. There is a bisecting road the runs top to bottom (the yard) about two thirds from the left and creates the only 4way stop. This also divided the layout into quarters. The town proper surrounds the intersection. The quarter in the lower left is the industry area for factories. The quarter to the lower right is a smaller section with the Olsen/Larson kit and a small trailer park. The top two corners will have small mountains with tunnels to give the appearance that the trains are actually going somewhere. It is small but it will give me what I want, two trains running continuously in opposite directions and a small town using as many Woodland Scenics kits as I can make. It won't be fancy, but it will be mine. Thanks for the tips.
The run around track is the must have if you want to do switching. I'm like you though, a lot of my layout is rural.
I designed my layout from the railroad view of industries indeveral industrial parks where the focus is getting them product to and form the industry in the park and yet able to run continuous as I have a vertical staging yard that house express trains that will pass through my valley so each park has a passing siding to allow the more important express trains travel.Hence operations and continuous running anytime I want.
Trestles, Tunnels and Terrain. When I was a kid the terrain was with paper mache. I much prefer working modern insulating foam. For industry, stick to things I can relate to. I’ve got a barley and hops mill that shares operations with a brewery. These get visits from grain freight locos as well as tourist passenger trains. You can see here my head is. Now looking expand to a coffee roaster with tasting room. Gotta have that coffee with my trains.
Reminds me of a model railroad that my dad and I had few years ago. It had a brewery, lumber yard, grain elevator, and small farm as the primary industries.
One of my MUST HAVES is space for vehicle traffic to come and go from an industry. It makes no sense to me to have an industry inaccessible by anything but rail. Workers have to drive to get to work, they're not going to take a freight train (with VERY few exceptions). I tend to use view blocks to hide my continuous running tracks.
One of my MUST NOT HAVES is to have a ridiculous amount of track and sidings, there has to be some logic as to why the tracks are there.
You will probably hate my layout as it is small and simple, but it has everything I want and need.
Must have #1: ability to run two trains at the same time. One passenger and one freight. I will have three different freight trains to run: Santa Fe Super Chief (from the starter set), an Am Trak and an old (looking) Seaboard Doodlebug and matching passenger car. I will also have three freight trains. The EMD Bluebonnet freight train set plus the mixed freight set (all Kato). A CSX mixed freight consist of various cars for industries on my layout (all Micro-Trains) and the Covered Hopper 8 Car Set pulled by a Southern Pacific EMD (all Kato). Trying really hard not to mix Kato and other brands as their couplers do not play well together.
Must have #2: it must be small enough to fit on my dining table (78"x40") yet big enough to have a small switching yard. I live in an apartment, so space is limited.
Must have #3: Being ovals, it will have a "town" in the middle. I'm using Design Preservation kits so, think Mayberry. I wanted it to look like one of those small towns you drive through on a small highway. You top a hill or round a corner and suddenly you're in a tiny town and out of it just as quickly.
There will be a road running left to right called Highway 58 but from the crossovers on the left to the crossovers on the right, it is called Main Street. There is an intersection midway that runs up, over another set of crossovers and down ending at the yard (Black Bear Road).
There will be "mountains" in the top corners to give the impression that the trains actually go somewhere albeit in mere seconds.
I created the plan using SCARM and transferred that image to PAINT where I created a MAP in color with the buildings (sized approximately using the width and length on the web site) and roads and trains added in to see how it might look.
The past couple of years, the layout has changed many, many times as I would call it up and stare at it and think: "I wonder how it would look if,,," and make those changes and save it as a new version. There have been a lot of versions, but I think the one I have now is pretty much set in stone (soft stone). Thanks.
Mountains... = must have for me! 😊
My current layout design definitely pushes the envelope with 11 industries (Yes, there are runaround tracks.) in 8.5' x 9' (HO scale). There will also be an engine facility- the ability to turn locomotives is a must for operating steam power. Ian Rice's cassette staging is included, but a continuous running capability had to be sacrificed to make it work.I do question cramming so much into a small area. I guess I'll see how it works and just as importantly, how it looks..
Well, just depends on your region of modeling. I model central Europe. Rail work is 90% passenger on fixed schedules, moving from city/city or between smaller towns. Passenger cars are shuttled in the terminus locations. Cars, head units are adjusted per schedule at the specified stopping points. So the desire is town or city as destination and focal point with a parade track to look good in route. Freight MUST wait for passenger breaks. A runaround is good to prep freight but usually intercity is a short route and not too many cars just because not enough time on track. Bad news is freight is not making enough money. There are just a few monster yards that organize large freight runs but those are scheduled just a few times a week. Sadly that is profitable but just is not yet gained enough support through the EU to realign passenger traffic. The other issue is slow decline of the bulk commodity needs. EU looks more like smaller freight yards mixed or nearby the passenger lines to jump in when available. I do like to run continuously while building a small freight set on the runaround. Move it to the mainlines while rearranging head units on the passenger trains at the main station. Totally busy! I model the late 60's so get the benefit mix steam, diesel and electric and nothing moving really fast. Started in Marklin HO. Moving on to N just because of space. I do appreciate your design perspective from other points of view. Next layout is a hybrid. 4x8 sheet divided in half lengthwise. City/main terminal on one side, rural small town on the other, double oval track running between the two.
Bridges and tunnels, water, scenery.
cool vid thanks lee
Layout musthaves? Bridges; I've loved all kinds of bridges since I was quite young. & the older, the better.
I am creating my first real layout and had to ask myself this question recently. I decided on…
- at least three continuous loops
- the ability to move a train between all three loops
- one loop must be O72 minimum (it’s O gauge)
- at least one tunnel
- a ramp long and high enough to pass another train under
- a city area and an industry area
- the ability to reach anything on the layout while standing flat-footed on the floor
My layout design ended up pretty symmetrical, so it’s possibly going to be a bit boring… but it met my criteria, so I am okay with that.
True, true... Though I would add that the "loop" is double, allowing for two trains to pass in opposite direction.
I also really want a way to reverse my steam locomotives. It can be a loop track, or a track connecting two parts of the layout, or of course a turntable. And I also really like to include a somewhat interesting yard, for example one based on a switching puzzle like John Allen's Timesaver.
I chose the Tehachapi loop to avoid city detailing, provide longer runs with long trains. I love George Selios' extensive detailing in his high rise downtown layout, but I don't have the time or patience/skills he has to pull that off.
My must have is tracks. :3
I have a similar idea and included a shunting game into my layout
It was easy using AnyRAIL, N Scale and a 4x8 sheet as the base of the total area for the table
Took many tries and finally came up with a full layout
Then with AnyRail I can print out the Parts list of the track items needed
WOW
$995 worth of track with remote switches
That is nearly $1,000 without Power, Controllers, Engines, Rolling Stock or Buildings
OUCH
I'm planning a layout with a big city because I want to model buildings. I plan to have a passenger light rail system that connects the city to a big passenger station on the main line.
Good valid points as always. =)
Usely for my railways I just put whatever I have in the box on the set lol
I have to have at least one passenger station on my layout great video BTW
A must-have for me is passenger operations.
3:15 in my town there's a shunting yard right parallel to main Street for some reason
Continuous loop would be good but a two level shelf with a soon to come helix precludes it. Looking to run some ops but do the scenery....too?
A switching yard, two loops of track but most importantly a round house and a turn table.
Personally, I think it would be cool to design a layout centered around a city in the 60s and 70s. All of the track is embedded into the road and there are 3 and 4 story buildings everywhere. You switch small industries with in the city with small 2 and 4 axle switching locomotives.
A chemical plant would be neat to see modeled. Lots of pipes, tanks, and towers.
Continuous running means a child or grandchild could run that train while you direct and switch. Model railroading could be a great way to spend time with kids and grandkids.