Starting a layout this weekend

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've decided to jump in with both feet this saturday.

The wife's out of town, so I'm gonna get myself into trouble.
My dad's coming down from Philly, we're gonna hit up the ReStore for $15 worth of doors, and some assorted other hardware, and I'll be starting construction of this:



As you can see, it's awfully rough. I only actually designed in the tracks I needed to prove it'd "work", the rest will be done following the following thought from another thread:

i have always thought it would be neat to build a layout by first laying the main and passing sidings, and then cutting in industrial sidings as i placed on-line customers. 

I've been reading a lot about Baltimore's industrial history lately, and the combination of Paul Dolkos's MRP article and Bernie's Steel Mill book have made me realize that the next step on my route to model railroading nirvana won't be an expansive mainline ops based thing, but a layout based on a Conrail secondary, or industrial track set in East Baltimore.

There are four major scenes I'm hoping to incorporate, a brewery (you can see the track roughed in), a stretch of semi-street running (tracks next to, instead of in, a street), and the general industrial area around Canton (salt terminal, etc...), and a yard (small enough to be manageable in the space).

I had originally planned to place this right against the wall (as in the upper right three doors in this plan):


But have decided to explore stepping it out from the back wall about 18"-24" to give me access to the staging along the back (top) wall.

The goal for the weekend is to get the doors installed, up on legs (or bookshelves), and a layer of 2" styrofoam cemented down on top.

So what do you guys think? Words of wisdom?

[choochin3]

You're gonna' hate the curves in the yard.(trust me on that)

Carl T.

[John]

i dont like the yard in the back either ..

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I've been giving the curved yard lots of consideration. I think I'm going to just test it out (pins and flex track to see how it works).

And John, remember, it's not going to quite be "in the back", it'll be accessible.

[Iain]

You know what would be awesome is another shelf coming off of that bottom door (like your original plan) that runs to a fourth door near the wall opposite to that in the top of your drawing.  This shelf could be street running in the Canton area and then on the door you could have the docks that Conrail served.

[lock4244]

Those isolated spurs on the floor are going to be a PITA as well 

I agree that the yard at the back is a mistake, though it would appear that there is an aisle there, so not to worry. I had a 10 track monster that was up against the wall with my twin mains and four arrival/departure tracks and a few industries in the foreground. the mains and A/D tracks are better placed at the back with the classification all in the foreground. It's been a long time since I had a layout, but I won't forget that PITA yard. I disagree that a curved yard is a problem provided that the throat / ladder is straight. Nothing wrong in my experience with a curved yard, but drilling a curved throat leads to many picked switches.

[wazzou]

Is that Unitrak?  PSG would be proud. ;D

[John]

Is that Unitrak? 

i somehow doubt it

[davefoxx]

Ed,

Are you sure you want to limit yourself to the parameters of hollow-core doors by using that as the base of the benchwork?  I know the advantages of a door layout, but when building a larger "around the walls layout," I think you could build a layout with better-flowing fascia and fit the room better by stick-building the benchwork with either open framework or L-girder construction.  With either of these methods, you could "skin" the top of the framework with 1/4" lauan plywood and then glue your 2" foam on top.  It may cost more, but, ultimately, I believe that it would be a better result.  You probably don't want to skimp on the design at this point.

Just a thought,
Dave

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I had thought about that Dave, but I have NO desire to get involved building benchwork, by going with this approach, I can quickly get to the part of the hobby I enjoy, creating scenes and operating.

[davefoxx]

I respect your decision but remind you that there are a number of talented people who live within a few hours' drive who would gladly assist you with that endeavor.  With just a little notice, you could have a benchwork building session (Phil and I attended one at Lee's earlier this year) and get past the phase you don't enjoy without possibly skimping on the design.

By the way, benchwork is one of my favorite aspects of the hobby.  That and tracklaying.  If you change your mind, let me know.

DFF

[sizemore]

I dunno man, I expect more from you. Your design reminds me of Tetris it has no Feng Shui to it. The track plan looks like something out of MR, even if you're going to add to it. If it were me I'd have a 24" double deck like Johns with some EB/WB staging off in the other room.

The S.

[Dave V]

Is that Unitrak?  PSG would be proud. ;D

FTW!!!

[sizemore]

I respect your decision but remind you that there are a number of talented people who live within a few hours' drive who would gladly assist you with that endeavor.  With just a little notice, you could have a benchwork building session (Phil and I attended one at Lee's earlier this year) and get past the phase you don't enjoy without possibly skimping on the design.

By the way, benchwork is one of my favorite aspects of the hobby.  That and tracklaying.  If you change your mind, let me know.

DFF

When you think about it you would really only need benchwork for the finger in the middle (and that could be a 3ft wide steel mill). Then around the walls use 24" doors, with simple 1*4 "L" brackets which could be made in a matter of hours and have at least the first level (assuming you go that route) easily in a day with four or five guys.

The S.

[John]

all good advice Ed ... the bench work tactical unit could show up one day this weekend with table saws and other devices and help knock it out in no time ..