Starting again

[luis_lopes]

Hi all.

Now that I am back from a break in the hobby, I had time to think about where I am going with model trains

I need to step back, and think what are my tastes.. I swtiched to H0, mostly are US diesels, 50' box cars and Hoppers. I have CN, Delawre & Hudson and SP/SSW rolling stock.

I really want a small shunting shelf layout, something like the Bristish usually do.

I don't have a lot of space, but I think I can manage 250 x 40 cm, with no problem at all.

I have been looking at Roger Nicholls "Glendale", and I know that this is way I want to go.

this is the Track plan.  I think it has a great felling.




The layout has the thing I want, but I don't to copy it. It's size is 9 foot by 1 1/2 foot

I'm always having trouble designing layouts. Searched in Carendt.com, searched Google, searched in MRH Trackplan Database...

Who can help me? Thank yo so much for the time you spent reading this.

[davefoxx]

Welcome back, Luis!

Don't be afraid to copy other's layout plans or even just portions.  Many of us have plagiarized portions or our entire layout plans from others.  Have you tried this site for small layout plans?  http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm

Don't forget our own DKS.  He has some track plans on his website: http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/plans.htm

Hope this helps,
DFF

[luis_lopes]

Hi Dave.

Well, I already know those sites, thanks for sharing them.

What about having water???




And another one:




This could be fun!...

Thank you for your time.

Best wishes.

[luis_lopes]

Hi again.

Thank you all for the answer.

I started again making some plans, and this is what I have now. It is based on Palmetto Industrial from Lance Mindheim.





What do you folks think? Thank you for your time.

[davefoxx]

Don't forget a runaround, i.e., passing siding, to get your locomotive to the other end of a freight car during switching.

DFF

[jpec]

Or do like the big boys do...put a locomotive at each end to cover facing and trailing point moves without having to run around or turn the train on a wye...
I like your updated plan...Lance and DKS have a lot of great ideas.
Jeff

[luis_lopes]

Hi agaibn.

Thank you for comments. I have been reading about no runaround layouts, and I think I'll give it a try. Sent this track plan to Lance, and he gladly replied to me saying that the track plan is cool, and not over done, or with too much track.

This is industrial switching layout, and I'll try to build it in modules, so that I can take to shows and exibitions here in Portugal.

First I need to get rid of my current layout, then build the benchwork, place some yards of track in place and run trains...

Thank you for the time you took to read this post!

[peteski]

Thank you for the timne you toke to read this post!

LOL!  Silly English language.   That is "took" - "toke" has a whole different meaning.    So, don't Bogart that joint my friend - passed over to me. 

[svedblen]

...passed over to me. 

...pass it ...   

[Specter3]

Luis

Do you have room for a staging cassette? I know Dave Foxx uses one and it is a great way to add to the operating interest of a small switching layout. I dont know if your shows are display only or operating so that would be a consideration for cassette placement(end, front, back). But I like the plans and if you are a follower of Lance they give that feel.

[jpec]

Yes, a cassette would be a great addition and give the impression that the train comes from and returns to some place.

Jeff (Yet another disciple of Lance)

[luis_lopes]

Hi all.

Thank you all for the answers.
.
I am going to build this thing slowly, finishing a module before going to the next one, so I'll have the fiddle yard.

I am trying to find a way of having CN and SP on the layout, and through wikipedia, I found out that both companies went to New Orleans. I was thinking on "placing" the layout there, because, that way, I can also make and harbour, if the layout expands.

What is your opinion?

Thank you for your help.

[luis_lopes]

This Sunday morning, while the family was still sleeping, I got the showcase I was building out of the layout room, stored it until the new owner can come here and take it, and scrapped the previous benchwork.

Now I need to get new blades for the jig saw, so that I can start cutting the dimensional lumber I bought from Brico Depot at Loures (which has nicer prices for lumber and plywood).

This is the layout room after all the work was done. Time to start making some saw dust.

Best wishes.

[luis_lopes]

Hi.

Benchwork is almost completed.

Used 1 x 3 and 1 x 2 dimensional lumber to build the thing.

It was buiilt in modules, so that I can that teh smallest part, to get access to my workbench.


This is the layout , with 2292 x 400 mm.


The support frame for the small 900mm module


T-Nuts for quick assembly.


Shelf to store the module.

I got some of the ideias with a work the MV Fujiwara was doing for a costumer.

The track plan is still bothering me.

I want to keep it simple, with one industry, where I can spot some differnt cars. I think I am going with the grain elevators, like Tom Johnson did with his INRAIL layout.

I think I can have the main that can diverge into a spur for a grain elevator and that spur can also serve a grain shed. The main can also diverge to the other side, for a fertilizer facility, or something... (still need to knwo more abourt this kind of operations!!! )

[luis_lopes]

Hi all.

I am thinking about going totally freelanced - on the track plan and on the motive power.

Why? That way, I can get what I like and I want, on a paint scheme made by me. And this also makes me some cash, because I can get the undecorated versions of the locomotives, or even 2nd hand stuff, at even lower prices (normally I find that UP and SF stock is more expensive than others). Also, getting it here in Portugal it's even better this way.

Now, what I need to do I to make up a suggestive name and paint s scheme, and ask someone to make me the needed decals for the locos.

What else do I need?

What are yor thoughts?

I have been thinking on a name. Again, inspired by Tom Johnson, I'm going to do something based on Indiana. Loved those colors.

I have a son, that was born 3 months ago, and we called him "Duarte". I am trying to do the freelanced company based on Indiana, with a name started by the letter "D". Can you folks give me a hand at this?

Thank you so much.