Help on a HCD Layout Plan

[nscalemike]

If you have access to all four sides, or at least everything except the wall your staging sits on, I'd say go for plan #2.  I'd put a backdrop down the center to divide the two sides.  That looks like it could be fun working an out and back type local turn.  Leave staging, switch the Lumber yard, run around the town 2 and switch the elevator and LPG, sit in the siding for a passing freight or passenger train, and when the main clears again you return to the yard, passing through town 1 again and switching the general freight industry and back into the yard.  Lots of ops and could have however long of a session you want as you could keep throwing mainline trains in the mix that will require your local to sit in the siding for extended periods of time.

However,  if this sits in the corner and you can't have the backdrop, then I vote for #1. 

Mike

[dowish]

Unfortunately, this will be up against a wall, so a layout with a back drop down the middle is out.  When I first started thinking about a new layout, I wanted to do a layout like that but it just won't fit in the room that way with all the other stuff that is in there.

Here is a slightly revised plan.  Basically, I extended the siding/run-around so that it served the lumber industry along with the granary.  I also changed the track on the back side so it wasn't just a straight stretch.

I'm planning on getting the door and some 2x2s for legs Sundays, so here is hoping construction will actually begin this week.  Any suggestions on how best to put legs on a door?

[DKS]

May I offer a suggestion for possible consideration... since the layout is up against the wall along the back, I'd make a backdrop that is set back from the wall just a couple of inches (removable for access to the track). This backdrop hides the loop and creates an urban scene, or extends the industrial area in the foreground; the openings for the track can be disguised by a road overpass, cluster of buildings or trees, etc. You can then work all of your industries from the front of the layout.



Again, just a little bit of food for thought.

[pwnj]

I was just going to suggest the same thing, though maybe make that back track a double, for some staging?

[nscalemike]

May I offer a suggestion for possible consideration... since the layout is up against the wall along the back, I'd make a backdrop that is set back from the wall just a couple of inches (removable for access to the track). This backdrop hides the loop and creates an urban scene, or extends the industrial area in the foreground; the openings for the track can be disguised by a road overpass, cluster of buildings or trees, etc. You can then work all of your industries from the front of the layout.



Again, just a little bit of food for thought.

What he said.  You'll be happy having the backdrop and not switching over three feet of layout!

[dowish]

Thanks DKS.  You convinced me.  Not that isn't wasn't that hard.  I had been wondering about reaching back there to switch, but liked the distance trains would have to go to get there.  Not knocking stuff over to reach back there would make the layout more fun to operate though.

I also extended the siding, figuring you can't have to long of a siding, especially since it will be used as staging.

I got my HCD and some 2x2's for legs today.  I'm not sure when I'll get to start construction, but I've got the material.

[pwnj]

Lookin' better every time!  May I suggest extending your passing siding (staging) all the way across to the left side?  Basically, take that one switch out, put a right-hand switch at the end of the curve (or use a curved switch to avoid the s-curve), then put a cross-over at the other end.  This will give you more space for staging a longer train, and give you more options for getting trains in and out of there.  Can't wait to see it come together.

[dowish]

I may do something like that when I start to lay track, but I don't want to tempt myself into running really long trains.  It isn't that big of a layout. 

[dowish]

Well, after 7 months of distraction, I am back to working on the layout.

I am going to get a sheet of 2" pink foam tomorrow.  I spent a couple hours searching several forums for this, but I have apparently lost my search mojo.  What should I get to attach the foam to the HCD?

[Bsklarski]

Latex liquid nails

[MichaelT]

Loctite power grab for foam or general purpose.

[dowish]

I got the foam, liquid nails, and some screws.



I had to stop half way through because some friends are coming over for dinner and the Olympics.  Getting the foam attached will have to wait till tomorrow.  Then I'll be gone for a week, so it will be a couple of weeks till I start laying track.  It does feel good to get something built finally.

[dowish]

Well, the least favorite part of model railroading is done.  I'm not much of a carpenter/handyman so I always dread bench work.  Now for track laying in a week or so...

[dowish]

So I was getting ready to mark the track plan on the table and start gluing down cork, when I started freaking out that I would have problems tying the HCD part with the future staging yard.  To ease my mind, I re-drew the whole layout with a completed staging yard.  All the turnouts or #7 with a #3.5 wye.  Track is spaced at 1.5" for some finger room.  I am pretty sure the staging won't get built like this since I would like longer yard tracks so I might go with #5's and 1.25" spacing, but I'm not planning on building it for a while so I've got time to think about it.

[wazzou]

It looks good.  One thing that stands out as odd and should be addressed is in the lower left where the passing siding starts, I'd put a RH turnout in instead of the LH shown. 
That will remove the S Curve.