Ok then, now you guys have convinced me to get a Zephyr indoors, I now get to the fun bit... designing a shelf layout that sits amongst my existing shelves over the building desk. This is going to have to be a bit tidy and organised. The primary reason for it to exist is to test locos and cars (and most importantly uncouplers). So, it needs a long clear straight track for this to work well. However, once that's been achieved I may as well have a bit of fun, and a little room to store two or three cars and/or perhaps a spare switcher. I don't want solid trackwork, so I've got this far with a potential plan:
Did I tell you the problem? Yes, the shelf is 1130mm by 90mm (44.5" x 3.5"). The only spare (read: 'free') track I have is Peco medium or curved turnouts and any amount of flextrack.
The two 'main lines' come parallel through an arch (road over) at the far left. Perhaps even a mirror in here! One is the front and main straight-through track for testing purposes. The other splits and goes into the buildings. Industrial background to the whole lot, assorted rubbish and metalwork and weeds around the place. This is definitely the grotty end of a small town, and hasn't seen any investment for many decades...
The brown shading shows industrial buildings over the rear track(s). Hopefully the viewer will 'forget' about these tracks and by the right-hand side the middle track will look like it's turning up outside another factory to do more unloading. There's the edge of an engine shed (or repair shed or something) at the far right.
Anyone got any suggestions? Improvements? I don't need the front track to be dead straight but I don't want it wobbling all over the place. The runaround is a bonus for when I'm bored and want to play switching...
Charles
