OK, here goes. This is a long post, please bear with me! There are some pictures below.
I have to admit, I've been wallowing in a bit of a layout funk the past six months. Most of my efforts have been at the workbench, kitbashing and finishing locomotives in CN attire, while an operational layout sits unused behind me. I am pretty certain that I have come to some kind of end with this current layout, and have started to think about a new layout that could better serve my interests. I'm fortunate to have a good sized space in the basement furnace room that is finished nicely, and where competing uses for the space are minimal.
Here is what I have learned about myself from the current layout, that was started Oct 2010:
1. I like building layouts, probably more than running them. I'm a lone wolf here.
2. My track work has not been good enough to ensure reliable operation. There are many operational issues with my current layout that really take the fun out of running it for me. I've tried to deal with them, but I'm pretty much of the mind it has chronic issues.
3. In particular, I have too much hidden track with tight access clearance that makes for problems when something goes wrong.
4. I have almost no interest in switching or other yard work. I like some kind of place to line up the trains to admire, but I don't find fussing with couplers this size to be my cup of tea.
5. My strengths and interests lie more in scenery rather than buildings.
So, what kind of theme for a layout interests me?
1. My first choice remains solidly CN. There are moments when it would be fun to run some other equipment, but I always come back to CN. It has become viable to model this in n-scale, even though almost every locomotive needs to be built up from resin kits, kitbashed and finished.
2. I want to return to a scenic, spectacular setting. I started this way with a Rio Grande diorama in 2005 and I really enjoy setting up these kinds of scenes.
3. I want a modern, or near to modern setting. Say 2005 to the present but flexible as new equipment appears.
4. My preference would be a main line concept, with the potential for all types of traffic, but particularly intermodal and some unit trains (coal, grain, potash).
5. Operationally, I want to minimize hidden track and complexity on the mainline to make it as robust as possible.
6. I am especially interested in stepping up the quality of my trackwork, including trying hand laid turnouts.
7. I want to minimize the visual compromises of the layout that I have suffered with to date. I want broader curves, higher turnout numbers and plausible "exits" and "entrances" between scenes.
8. Related to 7., I want to develop scenes with as much scenery to track ratio as possible: I want to really go for one or more signature scenes that are not compressed (much) and have a large spatial feel to them, both foreground and background. Space limitations play a role, of course, but I am willing to give up track for scenery. I have been inspired by Gary's Tehachapi Loop and Mike Dannemann's Big Ten Curves scenes. These are where n scale really shines for me and I want to capture some of that big space feel, even on a relatively small layout.
8. Finally, as I am away for months at a time for work, I want a convenient way to cover up my rolling stock in storage to protect from dust and other hazards.
So, where do these criteria lead me? One concept I have returned to is a favourite railfanning scene in British Columbia's Fraser River Canyon. It is a location called Cisco where CN and CP cross over the tight canyon and each other on a pair of spectacular bridges. CP's original line pops out of a tunnel directly onto a long bridge, while the subsequent CN line had to cross on an epic cantilever-arch bridge combination. The prototype scene is all relatively compact but an amazing place to watch trains. I can't link photos but I suggest searching "Cisco" or "Lytton" on Railpictures.net.
The CN bridge has suffered quite a bit since construction in 1911. There have been some major derailments, fires and other events that have resulted in reconstruction. A large derailment in 1977 closed it long enough that they built a cutoff to the CP line below to facilitate exchange between the lines.
What really grabs me about the scene, other than the incredible visual effect, is the potential to run traffic on not one but two main line routes. It also gives me a possibility to model a bit of CP traffic, something that has some appeal to me. In recent years, CN and CP have agreed to directional running in the canyon, with westbounds on the CN line and vice versa. This means I can operate either in this scene prototypically.
Another scene that is in the area and of interest is the White Canyon of the Thompson River, about 50 km upstream (both locations are around Lytton, BC, if you want to look). Here the CN line has been carved out of the cliff side along the river and there are a variety of interesting structures to protect from rock slides. There is also a location where a stream has even been routed to flow over the line.
I've been playing with these two scenes as elements in a new layout and have come up with something that I think meets my criteria and would be a challenge to build and finish. It is a simple design with scenery positioned first, but one that I think will give me considerable enjoyment to run as well.
First, here is the room space with my concept in it. The room is well finished, but has a number of doors for access to a storage closet and the furnace space. These don't get opened very often, but obviously need to be on occasion. There are two elements to the layout I have envisioned: a core area that is sceniced and fixed to the wall, and separate detachable storage yard element that could be moved into the opposite corner for storage or to get it out of the way. The storage yard would be easily covered with dust protection during absences.
The main layout is a glorified oval with a large open area devoted to Cisco and the bridges, and a narrower scene dedicated to the CN portion of the White Canyon. This configuration allows continuous running on the CN line, with movements to storage via the Cisco cutoff and CP line. As I have envisioned the CP line, it is really just for staging shots on the bridges for pictures and fun. Most elements of the scene are prototypical, and I can fit a 75% sized full Cisco bridge for both lines. The siding that connects the two scenes is not prototypical for White Canyon, but I am willing to make it work for the flexibility of being able to have some passing activity on the layout. The track configuration is mostly prototypical for Cisco.
I would envision tall backdrops (24" or so) and a lot of vertical relief in the Cisco scene, with the river about 12" below the CN bridge level. There are no grades on the CN line, but a steep grade (3.5%) on the Cisco cutoff to make the connection to the lower CP line. Hidden track is limited to one area. I have built in a large access area for construction and emergencies, but my hope is that through a serious track quality program, I will avoid derailments for the most part in the back. All visible curves are 16-20" radius, and the CP line disappearing to storage is a 14" radius, although I might be able to improve that a bit. I envision the visible turnouts will be #8, but might try for #9 or #10. All will be hand laid with Proto87 points and frogs, detailed to a high level (since there are only 4). Track will be M-E concrete ties code 55, with Atlas code 55 for the storage yard. I might re-use my Atlas code 55 flex track and turnouts for the storage yard, and I will probably install a short backdrop and finish the track with ballast and some trees for photos. I see using tortoise switch machines on the layout, both DCC controlled and powering frogs, with manual controls in the storage yard.
I'm pretty happy with this concept both in terms of the kinds of activities I enjoy and the kind of operations possible. The signature elements are clearly the Cisco bridges, especially the CN arch. I have been working through the bridge plans from Doug Hole published in Mainline Modeller and I think it will be an interesting challenge. I may do it with my own etched brass, or use ME, Central Valley and GMM components. The CP bridges could be done with BLMA and Central Valley kits, modified for the scene.
So, I suspect this is the beginning of something new, but I'm not in a rush to tear down my existing layout. I have a chance to visit Cisco and White Canyon in early December and will probably decide what to do over the holiday when I have some time. In the meantime, I would appreciate feedback on the concept, layout plan, and any other things that come to mind. Thanks for reading this long post!
Scott
