HCDwhile room sized layout planning?

[645diesel]

Looks promising.  What's your solution for access to the interior of the layout?

a piano hinged door.

[davefoxx]

I disagree with the idea of making it have to fit into a future layout.

https://conrail1285.com/its-a-door-not-a-domino/

I struggled with this many years ago and it kept me from JFRTM. Don't fall into the same trap!

Gotta say I'm with @Ed Kapuscinski and @Dave V.  As a former owner of an HCD layout, I can state that it's great as a stand-alone layout, but it's not efficiently incorporated into a larger layout.

If you are only six months from beginning construction of the dream layout, I'd just build a small section of that layout (even if you can't roundy-round for now).  Six months will be here before you know it.  Otherwise, the HCD may cause you to push off the commencement of the dream layout, which might be okay if you're content with an HCD layout.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[645diesel]

if you're content with an HCD layout.

i purchased the HCD when i lived in an apartment after a relocation while looking for a house. i was going to build a switching layout on it, but then i found a house and that took over my time.  it ended up as a workbench surface for some electronic repair (vintage 70's stereos).  as a long term layout, i would not be content, but i see merit in building one to hone skills or if i were new to the hobby.  it's looking more and more as that is a dead end path that just "steals" time/energy/money/motivation from the big picture. 

i have an N-Trak module that i can use to practice scenery techniques as it needs some freshening up (the mice really like the ground foam and plaster).  i think for right now, i'll order some Peco 80 flex and build 2 extensions for the blue line so i can do some switching.  that is the most immediate way to being able to JFRT, man.

[cjm413]

If you have a 18" wide HCD, build a 80" linear section that could stand alone until it could be incorporated into something bigger

[davefoxx]

i purchased the HCD when i lived in an apartment after a relocation while looking for a house. i was going to build a switching layout on it, but then i found a house and that took over my time.  it ended up as a workbench surface for some electronic repair (vintage 70's stereos).  as a long term layout, i would not be content, but i see merit in building one to hone skills or if i were new to the hobby.  it's looking more and more as that is a dead end path that just "steals" time/energy/money/motivation from the big picture. 

i have an N-Trak module that i can use to practice scenery techniques as it needs some freshening up (the mice really like the ground foam and plaster).  i think for right now, i'll order some Peco 80 flex and build 2 extensions for the blue line so i can do some switching.  that is the most immediate way to being able to JFRT, man.

I wouldn't worry about honing skills on a layout before building the dream layout.  We all improve with practice, but it's not a big deal to go back over an older section of the layout and update scenery.  Sometimes, it just needs to be freshened up from age anyway, as you noted with your N-Trak module.  Besides that module, if you want to do other practice before building the layout, do T-Trak modules.  They won't take up nearly the amount of space and can be easily stored.

DFF

[Maletrain]

I opted for a similar roundy-round, on a dining room table so that it is 41" x 96", but the radii for the ends could have been squeezed into a 36" or 38" width.
 
My thinking was that it would be quite a while before I was able to build out the space intended for the future big layout, and, besides the itch to JFRTM, there are a lot of things I wanted to test/learn about in N scale.  Some of that learning will be needed for the ultimate layout, such as how many of my favored cars can my favored locos really pull?  Do I really want to try to use magnetic uncoupling, or just use a pick?  Etc. etc. etc.  My particular interest is making interesting and RELIABLE ops on the ultimate layout.  So, I designed a layout that would allow me to make up, break down trains, access a turntable, and switch industries, as well as run trains in circles.

If I was really into learning scenery issues, I probably would have opted to build a module that would fit into the ultimate layout, and scratched the JFRTM itch with some removeable loops on each end, for the time being.  But, I am (was) able to scratch the scenery itch at a club (before COVID). 

So , my "for now" layout is intended mainly to let me evaluate and refine equipment and techniques I want to use on the ultimate layout.

[Brian M]

I agree with the general consensus thus far; you can work on a module that will get incorporated into your main layout.  It doesn't really even need to be one of the signature scenes if you're worried about building up your skill set.  It could just be a "filler" piece, maybe a section where you plan to include an industry or two, so that way you've got a reason to switch cars.  One idea for turning it into a roundy-round is build two half circle ends.  You could either make both straight sides modules that get included in the layout, or just make one side a 4" wide piece of foam with track laid on top.  Please excuse the quick Power Point sketch, nothing fancy, but gets the idea across:



This can accomplish multiple desires at once...you're not wasting much time/effort/material since you're actually working on a piece of the main layout; the loop back modules can be made such that you just reuse the track from them on the main layout; the loop back modules aren't a big investment in building material; and you can just run trains.  Plus, if you need to pack it away or move it around, it isn't hard to do.

-Brian.

[nkalanaga]

On the other hand, the advantage of a stand-alone layout, HCD or not, is that it can be used as a complete layout.  Many modules look good, but don't have much operating potential, whether one wants "operations", or just to watch trains run.

If it can be reused, as part of a larger layout, so much the better.