Layout planning help needed

[tom mann]

Could you help design a HO scale layout that works in this space?  I would like it keep it along the walls as much as possible, to leave the room open for a bed and desk.



My goal is to model SP's Lordsburg district of the Sunset Route.

Lordsburg:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/locThumbs.aspx?NumCols=3&View=1&id=93944&Page=1

Sunset Route:

http://rrpicturearchives.net/archiveThumbs.aspx?NumCols=3&View=1&id=12959&Page=3

Thanks.

[DKS]

A few questions.

• All the way around? With duck-under/lift-out at the door, or a big C?
• Single or multiple level?
• Staging yard?
• Simple (minumal number of switches) or spaghetti bowl?
• Operation? Running? Just for show?

[tom mann]

A few questions.

• All the way around? With duck-under/lift-out at the door, or a big C?
• Single or multiple level?
• Staging yard?
• Simple (minumal number of switches) or spaghetti bowl?
• Operation? Running? Just for show?

All the way around.  I would like to get these Tunnel Motors running!  Single Level, with visible yards for staging (Tucson and Lordsburg both have yards).  The track would be simple, meant for running.

[DKS]

OK, so before I get too deep into this, I thought I'd toss out this (very) rough draft to see if I'm headed in the right direction.

[tom mann]

Man, that looks great...I really appreciate it.  It looks great as is!

[DKS]

Man, that looks great...I really appreciate it.  It looks great as is!

Glad you like it. Now it can be detailed with some suggestions for structures and scenic features.

[tom mann]

What is the minimum radius?  It looks a little tight up by Vail.

[DKS]

What is the minimum radius?  It looks a little tight up by Vail.

~30". It can be stretched out as needed in most places.

Edit: I stretched the curve out a bit at Vail, and added some scenic detail.

[John]

Kind of sparse on operations .. or did you intend to just "railfan"

[ednadolski]

Wildcat Central from Jan 2001 MR:

http://www.trains.com/mrr/objects/pdf/rb0101-a.pdf

The large curves & long turnouts would look great with the Tunnel Motors.    I'd make it so that the tunnel passed thru the closet -- the visual  break would make it seem larger.

David, what size turnouts are on your drawing?  For C-C diesels, I would recommend #6 or higher.

[Chris333]

This has Pelle Soeborg written all over it.
http://www.soeeborg.dk/railroading.html

Hey what happened to a layout in the garage?

[tom mann]

Hey what happened to a layout in the garage?

I moved out of that house a few months back. ;D

[tom mann]

Kind of sparse on operations .. or did you intend to just "railfan"

Pretty much just for railfaning and photography.

[DKS]

David, what size turnouts are on your drawing?  For C-C diesels, I would recommend #6 or higher.

They're all just eyeballed. I'm not using "planning" software, so there's no guarantee the layout could be built exactly the way it's drawn. I usually make plans just to give people ideas.

Edit: Just noticed that the arrangement of the staging tracks could have been better. I revised the drawing--just refresh the page to see the change.

[tom mann]

I might kill the double tracking.  Single tracks may allow the curves to be wider and be more true to the real thing.  I really think this will work.