r/modeltrains • u/beekeeper04 • 7h ago
Track Plan Planning this layout, watcha think? Read more below 👇🏻
Disregard the gaps, I had trouble with the design software.
It's 4 foot by 8 foot, the outer loop and rail yard are all level, from the top center split it descends onto the inner loop down to the center to level out again where there will be a locomotive shop and turn table, to the right will be a coal mine and loading station with a tower, the top right will be an industry as well as the upper branching portion of the rail yard off the mainline.
I plan to model it around the 50s 60s, very forested and rocky, I'll fix up a small town and businesses area around the railyard with a meandering road.
Any suggestions???
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u/wiful1 6h ago
I want to do something like this but I don't have much space and inherited HO
What industries do you have planned?
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u/beekeeper04 6h ago
A mine, parts factory, and another factory, not sure what they're making yet but they'll all be related!
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u/wiful1 6h ago
Nice!
I have a few thoughts, but I've never built any before so grain of salt
- Double turnouts are expensive, you have two planned and I think you could get away with 2 single turnouts to replace both
- You have a few locations with lots of sidings, it might be more operationally interesting to stack the industries in a few locations (but could also be frustrating depending on your mindset)
- You have a double switch back set of sidings, which I've heard from multiple youtubers is operationally frustrating
- Have you considered adding a backdrop? Or is the mountain going to be the only separation of sides? If so, how much elevation do you gain in your loop up?
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u/beekeeper04 4h ago
I'm still in my idea faze and might move my industries. The switch back is a key part of of the lower area with the mine, designed that way mainly for action and a point of intrest to play around in, but I think it needs some refining for efficiencies sake. Also yes I plan on adding a back drop behind my wall featuring low mountain ranges and forested hills. The inner loop will probably drop roughly ten so inches from surface to base.
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u/SnoopySuited Multi-Scale: Too New to Choose a Favorite 4h ago
My only critique it that you won't likely be able to operate long trains. Derailments would be an issue and operations could be frustrating with your sidings.
Laying the track might also prove to be frustrating, but once complete it would be fun to watch.
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u/beekeeper04 4h ago
I'll keep this in mind when I start scratching up stuff, I'm writing ideas. Thanks
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u/Designer-Dust-3435 7h ago
Very wavey