Time to Get Serious

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

But really, I decided to stop just watching what you guys are working on and start working on my own layout. The area I have is a 4x8 resting on sawhorses while I have to get my door level with this for a hope to be yard extension. Here's what I have to work with, not to scale.


I was hoping for a point to point, but yet able still to run continuously. I was hoping for a coal mine, double track mainline. Just a switching area on the other side of the 4x8. Minimum radius 17". Go wild.  ;D ;D ;D

[wm3798]

Hell, even MS Paint lets you draw curves...  Give it another shot..

Lee

[DKS]

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

That is what I was looking for. But with a scenic divider or a backdrop of some sorts. I like the mine, just use three tracks instead of two. And what would be on the other half of the 4x8 I'd like it to be more, "switchy."

[Guilford Guy]

And you can't draw that yourself because..?

[asciibaron]

what i would do is have an oval on the 4x8 and then have a branch up to a mine on the close side of the L.  on the far side ofthe L have a few tracks of staging.

something like this. 

[2-8-8-0]

Will you be able to get all the way around it? That 4' wide part will be a bit too far to stretch and reach methinks.

I would do what Dave did; do one part first. I read a thread on another forum where the modeler used shelf bracket mounted "modules" of set sizes to build an around the walls layout, so a new modeler (like me) need not bite off so much at once. I plan to build a door at some point, but for now, a couple of those modules will help me practice things like laying track, ballasting, and basic scenery. Plus, ill have a much better place to test things than my dumb unitrack oval.

Just babbling, but I have the feeling you have about as much experience building layouts (as in, zero) as I do. Little bites.

[DKS]

Little bites.

Seriously, I'd ditch the 4x8 ply sheet, and start with just a door. I think you're asking for trouble trying to marry a 4x8 sheet and a door with sawhorses for legs. Once you've got a door layout going, then get a second door and tack it on, the way Dave did.

Here's a quick door plan I threw together that has a three-track coal mine (upper right) and some "switchy" sidings along the bottom. A divider down the middle is optional. Expansion can start with the track at the lower left--or this connection can be moved almost anywhere.
 

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

And you can't draw that yourself because..?

Little bites.

Seriously, I'd ditch the 4x8 ply sheet, and start with just a door. I think you're asking for trouble trying to marry a 4x8 sheet and a door with sawhorses for legs. Once you've got a door layout going, then get a second door and tack it on, the way Dave did.

Here's a quick door plan I threw together that has a three-track coal mine (upper right) and some "switchy" sidings along the bottom. A divider down the middle is optional. Expansion can start with the track at the lower left--or this connection can be moved almost anywhere.
 

Cause most people know what there doing, unlike me.

edit: These are all #7s I guess? Except for that curved.

[2-8-8-0]

I do NOT know what I am doing. The people here have been incredibly helpful, and have posted plans (like the one Dave made for you) that I do intend to use. I figure two of my little wall modules will get a place i can at least see trains roll, then, its on to a door. If I finish those, not only will I know a LOT more than I do now, I will also be in better shape if the day comes that I can build a bigger layout.

They have shown that you can do a whole lot with a little door.

Where can I get the program you use to make layout plans like that, by the way?

Amanda

[DKS]

These are all #7s I guess? Except for that curved.

Yes, they're all 7s, and there is one curved. The curved can be replaced, but it provides a smooth transition into the passing siding, and allows it to be a little longer. (And now you can finally buy them.)

Where can I get the program you use to make layout plans like that, by the way?

http://www.anyrail.com/index_en.html

Here's the door plan in a little more fleshed out form.
 


BTW, the fertilizer unloader is not a joke--you can find photos of one here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/dks2855/LakehurstNewJersey#

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

Thank you, you have no idea how much I appreciate this.

[JDouglasFisher]

Little bites.

Seriously, I'd ditch the 4x8 ply sheet, and start with just a door. I think you're asking for trouble trying to marry a 4x8 sheet and a door with sawhorses for legs. Once you've got a door layout going, then get a second door and tack it on, the way Dave did.

I have to agree with David on this. 6 months ago I was doodling around with 4x8's in N scale and although it allows for BROAD curves, you lose tangent space as a result of the broad curves. Not that this cannot be worked around (Marty MCGuirk's revised N scale book shows an example) but even his layout is what, 42" wide when you look at the diagram?

Start with a 36" wide door (thats what I've decided to do) and work off from there. The guys on this forum speak with a wealth of experience in regards to this. You'll become less likely frustrated as you go from there.

Joe.

[ednadolski]

Here's a quick door plan I threw together that has a three-track coal mine (upper right) and some "switchy" sidings along the bottom. A divider down the middle is optional. Expansion can start with the track at the lower left--or this connection can be moved almost anywhere.
 

Looks really good!

One could also add a two-tiered staging yard off to the upper right, if you don't mind including a turnout in the hidden section of track.

Ed

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

How would the operations work? One local, a mine run? Maybe one that just makes some loops?