On30 ET&WNC R.R.

[Chris333]

Because I'm generally in the office six days per week, my hobby time is limited.  So, time efficiency is a consideration.

DFF

Plus after you add to the layout here and there and then tear that back off and go to the original plan... Oh wait. 

[davefoxx]

Plus after you add to the layout here and there and then tear that back off and go to the original plan... Oh wait. 

It's funny 'cause it's true.    Well played and touche.

DFF

[pdx1955]

I would put the On30 layout at chest level when standing, and put the N scale layout at chest height when seated (or slightly lower if clearance is an issue).

Thoughts?
DFF

I think that's a great idea to maximize space for both layouts. The On30 is more detailed-oriented so having that closer to eye level and will focus your vision to a smaller area, so a simpler plan won't seem as limiting. I think you'll be able to get a good sense of isolated scenes that way that don't need to be too deep as the scenery can rise up and away. Later, you can build the N without much interference.

You can construct the On30 using the heavy duty shelf bracket systems especially if you'll be using foam scenery construction. The shelf standards would cover the distance on the wall for both layouts so you'll be all set up to build the N one later with new bench work sections on additional brackets.

[davefoxx]

You can construct the On30 using the heavy duty shelf bracket systems especially if you'll be using foam scenery construction. The shelf standards would cover the distance on the wall for both layouts so you'll be all set up to build the N one later with new bench work sections on additional brackets.

Shelf standards.  I never even thought of that.  I'd say that the only limiting factor would be shelf depth.  But, this is a great idea.  In fact, a section or two of the N scale layout could even be thrown in before much of the On30 layout is off and running.  Interesting.

This also solves the drywall dilemma.  I could go ahead and put all of the drywall up, since the standards would be on top of the drywall.  There would be no concern for brackets mounted directly to the studs.

DFF

[pdx1955]

Shelf standards.  I never even thought of that.  I'd say that the only limiting factor would be shelf depth.  But, this is a great idea.  In fact, a section or two of the N scale layout could even be thrown in before much of the On30 layout is off and running.  Interesting.

This also solves the drywall dilemma.  I could go ahead and put all of the drywall up, since the standards would be on top of the drywall.  There would be no concern for brackets mounted directly to the studs.

DFF

I believe you can get brackets as long as 24" and you can cantilever the benchwork sections a bit further out so 30" wide sections, which is a lot at chest level, should be possible. Most of these brackets have a couple holes in the bottom, so you can run a screw into a framing member to secure it well.

[svedblen]

I use a shelf standard system myself. The same set of brackets is now supporting a third layout. Here is a few pics of its latest incarnation.

[svedblen]

I believe you can get brackets as long as 24" and you can cantilever the benchwork sections a bit further out so 30" wide sections.

Yes you can. My first layout using the above bracket system was 30" wide.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, guys!  Well, messing around in AnyRail this afternoon, here's a reeeeeeeeeally rough draft of an around the room layout.  I would likely need additional support other than just shelf standards at the top left section along with a pop-up access panel to get back in that corner (which is convenient, since that's where the water meter and sewer clean out are.  I can at least say it fits, with a minimum mainline radius of 24".  The ten wheelers I have will run on 16-7/8" radius, so 24" will give them a lot of room to breathe.



Note: Door at bottom left.  Walls on all sides, as indicated by the heavy black lines at the edge of the plan.

DFF

[Dave V]

If you're going to open up the whole room to the layout, now you have a chance to work in some real LDEs from the Tweetsie as opposed to protolanced scenes.

Also, just as I'm trying to do with the 'Southern, now's a good time to think out how it'll operate.

[Mike C]

@Dave Vollmer,

It's funny that you wrote this.  I was just driving home from work and was considering ordering the materials from Fast Tracks this weekend.

While I have your attention.  I'm considering designing an On30 layout that uses the entire basement space.  However, I know I will miss my N scale Seaboard System layout, if I do solely the ET&WNC.  So, because I'm made of money , did you ever consider two levels with one layout over the other?  If I did this, I was thinking On30 on the top.  That way, I could start work on it first, and it would be easier to build the N scale layout underneath later, rather than the other way around.  Also, since the N scale layout would be more ops-designed, it makes sense to be able to look down on that, i.e., reading car numbers in yards, reaching over tracks and structures to uncouple cars, etc.

I would put the On30 layout at chest level when standing, and put the N scale layout at chest height when seated (or slightly lower if clearance is an issue).

Thoughts?

DFF

I was going to suggest this , but I hesitated to do so because I think I remember reading somewhere that you prefered smaller layouts. The double decker would make an easy duck under for the On30 and you would only need a lift out for the N .

[davefoxx]

I was going to suggest this , but I hesitated to do so because I think I remember reading somewhere that you prefered smaller layouts. The double decker would make an easy duck under for the On30 and you would only need a lift out for the N .

Seeing that the N scale layout could turn back on itself in just a little more depth than the On30 shelves, I would probably not take the N scale layout all of the way around the room.  Besides, as you pointed out, I do become overwhelmed building larger layouts.  This would eliminate a lift out access for the N scale layout, which would foul the On30 drop section near the entry door anyway.  I'm hopeful that an On30 layout will not be as much work as building a layout with a similar footprint in N scale.  But, I'm not yet committed to building a room-sized On30 layout just yet.  We'll see.

DFF

[davefoxx]

If you're going to open up the whole room to the layout, now you have a chance to work in some real LDEs from the Tweetsie as opposed to protolanced scenes.

Also, just as I'm trying to do with the 'Southern, now's a good time to think out how it'll operate.

Agreed.  I still have a lot of research to do, but we're on the same wavelength.  Based on a YouTube video I watched recently, the trains left Johnson City, Tennessee and traveled to the end of the line (in my era) in Cranberry, North Carolina.  They switched the lower yard (hence the switchback) and went back to Johnson City, of course, switching cars at towns along the way.  Interestingly, the video from the late 1940s shows no turntable or wye at Cranberry, and the locomotive ran in reverse back towards Johnson City.  So, my layout is to be a point-to-point plan, with the drop section to allow roundy-round goodness.

Oh, and I'm getting better at AnyRail!



DFF

[Chris333]

Might want to include the mine at Cranberry. In one video they are still picking up hopper cars there.

[davefoxx]

Might want to include the mine at Cranberry. In one video they are still picking up hopper cars there.

That's the plan, which gives me a destination for hopper cars.  I need to figure out how to include standard gauge O scale track, so I can do that sweet dual gauge coal trestle in Johnson City.

DFF

[nuno81291]

Now you're talking. That's a nice looking plan... I think around the room shelf style can be much more conducive to railroading vs tight turnaround loops. My only concern is at that's height it appears your reach is over 2ft in some spots. While that may be feasible for some it can put a lot of foreground detail and hard work in the line of errant 0-5-0s and other body parts/sleeves etc. a club layout I worked on had some 2.5+ reaches and we had a sort of flyover rig to work from above... precarious.