Ruphe and Tumbelle

Rick, Very nice presentation of your track plan. Very professional!

JL&T Railroad

JAS,

I really like your plan, I've been staring at it for a long time. Love it.

Question: I see Helix access marked, but where is the helix and what is on the other level?

LVN

I started the trackplan database thread after watching the " Tips and Hints for Model Railroad Operations" videos in the MRH theater. I was so intrigued by the LVN that I went hunting for a track plan for it.

I did find Mr. Chris Lyon's trackplan and I thought it would be great to see other trackplans and so why not have a place where we can see track plans all together instead of hunting through the forums for them.

SO EVERYONE is invited to add their trackplan. It does not matter if it's hand drawn or masterfully rendered - let's make this a thread that is inspirational to everyone! (like so many other threads in the MRH-o-sphere)

Cheers!

The helix is going to be moved...

Oh Enzo!  Tue, 2013-05-14

Oh Enzo!  Tue, 2013-05-14 18:20 — seustis13

Well Sandy, in fact my layout is the result of several years of planning, experiment and .. become aged

When I've finally a place to make my "dream" real, one of my first choice was a narrow gauge branch line in ... Nn3... but I've to switch to N as at the time I can't find a reasonable amount of rolling stocks, tracks etc.

I'm now 61, and my eyes are not good, but i find that N scale Operation-to-space ratio is still a big advantage.

I know I maybe have designed a different layout if I was starting today, but ... I like to enjoy this one with friends for more time

Certainly would be the way

Hey Joe, I have not tried the wiki function, does it give you a searchable function?

Yes, and yes

Under advanced search, you can pick the content type to search - and if we set this up we would make it a "wiki" content type, so you could just search the wiki content only using the advanced search.

If you use the general search (not advanced) it's going to search the entire website across all content types: forum topics, blog posts, eZine article comment threads, and if we add this type, wiki posts.

Model rairoading and ham radio.....

I noticed the plan for the " CPR Saturna Division" over on the other thread referred to the layout  staging going into the "ham shack". I plan a small staging yard behind my desk here which includes my PC and ham radio station. Seems like I'm running into a lot of model rails here that are also amateur radio ops.

I like the plan a lot too. Looks like lots to do as far as operation without being overly complicated.

73,

Michael, W4HIJ

Saturna Division

Thanks, Michael.  I've had the track down for a couple of years now and have most of the bugs out.  You're right, it's satisfying for a single operator, even if it's just moving a few cars around in Sullivan, and there's enough to keep a couple more occupied. Scenery is another matter, but it's coming, gradually.

The junction with the Capilano sub was motivated by my affection for a couple of one- or two-car passenger trains that ran on the Ontario Northland when I was working as a train-order operator (which tells you how long ago it was).  That and all the Form Ws I copied...now why that particular train order should stick in my mind so, I don't know, but there you have it. 

Just goes to show each of us has his own incentive for model railroading.  Some of us are just a bit more peculiar.

73 David VE7CEK

ps and why it's in BC and not northern Ontario is all to do with the Capilano Timber Company

New thread and web site addition

The evolution from thread to web site feature is fantastic. I think this has been the best idea, out of many good ones, to hit the magazine in a long time. I'm really glad I stopped in today great job everyone posters and MRH folks.

Thanks for sharing

Rob

http://www.LKOrailroad.com

Hi Alan

I have been reading your web site and following your progress for quite a while and really enjoy the progress. Just wondering when the track laying will start and what the time table is to have a train run. Your work on the preparation is fantastic and your documentation is excellent as well. You may have a book in the making regarding how to build a layout, I hope you are saving hard copies of all your website stuff so you could publish some day.

Also the track plan is fantastic.

LK&O track laying

Ha! I wonder that myself 

Seriously though, track laying is about to begin. Preparations are finished. You should see a new LK&O thread on MRH and a new LK&O blog category pop up soon. Outside activities are taking center stage at the moment. I am grading 4,000 yards of fill. 1:1 scenery work! The terraforming is my only significant project this summer so once seed is in it is back to work in the train room.

Thanks for the kind compliments.

CNR Port Rowan

Yet another  great trackplan in my opinion. Spread out open and  "airy" feeling. Can you tell I like the simpler less crowded plans? Sometimes less is more.  Well done!!

Michael

That would depend on how one defines "crowded"..

Because one of the goals of the Interim P&A is to have a long mainline run, but not packed full of track except where needed (like in this case the Coal Mine Complex on the AM Branchline on Level II. 

I calculate approximately 60%+ of the mainline is single track, though, because of the limited space, the density of the number of bridges in each scene is higher than I prefer.  I strongly dislike having a town on top of a town.

So I would suggest my plan is not crowded at all, and I am sure there will be many who would say that it is crowded.

Ken L

Whatever works...

for you Ken. Personally I'm not a big fan of multi deck railroads, especially ones that are more than two decks. If I ever do build a two deck design it will be a mushroom. That being said, you seem to have very clear goals of what you are trying to accomplish and things seem to be well thought out for your purposes. That's all any model rail can  strive and hope for when designing a layout or choosing a design from someone else.

Regards,

Michael

RE: CNR Port Rowan

Hi Michael:

Thanks for the kind words. I too enjoy simple plans that allow one to create realistically relaxed scenes. It's tempting to crowd too much into a space. I'm finding that by focusing on how to create a realistic operating experience - through things like adding locks to my track switches - even a simple layout design can host very rewarding operating sessions.

And they're a whole lot easier to build!

- Trevor

A few thoughts about the trackplans

After going over all the trackplans that I found posted all over the net I have the hunch that not a whole lot of time and thought has been dedicated to what to do when an appliance (water heather, dryer, washer, etc) that is solidly encased/surrounded by the layout needs servicing/replacement.

An electric panel needs direct access, this is code, common sense and probably most everybody has reasonably dealt with it.

Water heathers: replacing or repairing one is a fairly traumatic experience. The plumber will need clear access to the pipes on the top, associated electrical wiring and a way to connect a hose to drain it. Also some working space and a reasonably clear path to take the dead one out. The thing is big and heavy. If you have copper pipes an open flame torch will be used. Expect some water to be spilled on the floor (and run to the lowest spot). Plus, if the old one springs a leak, water will be sprayed around. And it will not be pretty.

Washers and dryers go bad. Service guy will need working space and clear path for removal out of the basement. Ditto for AC units.

So I think a removable layout section will need to be designed into the trackplan to help overcome these issues.

I work in home repairs, and while I never came across on this situations (we do not have basements here in Florida) I am pretty familiar with the kind of work involved.

Any experiences?. Jose.

Big Deal Later

I see that a lot too. Railroad mania takes control of their better judgment sometimes. Suspect they regret it when the first emergency arises. 

Real concerns

I'm fortunate that the half of my basement which will contain my layout has no utilities other than a water meter in it.  In the year I've been here I have had to replace the furnace already and had to remove and service the water softener tank, plus had a sewage backup, so these concerns are real.  Along with keeping the utilities accessible, I would also add making sure everything of value is at least a foot off the floor in case of water or sewage leaks.

Most of the problems I have

Most of the problems I have encountered in designing my layout are because of these things you mention Jose.  Everything in my basement is spread out, so I don't have a continuous length of more then 10-12' until I need room for water heater/furnace etc.  It is very frustrating.  My layout/diagram is under a thread in design section, title CSX Big Flat Subdivision.

Moving the water heather...

.... USUALLY is not such a big deal, but your mileage may vary... Jose.

Posted Elsewhere

Hi!

Even if your trackplan is posted on the forum or elsewhere on the web's, please do post it in the trackplan database thread so it can be collected together with the others as a great resource and inspiration to other model railroaders.

Cheers!

Scope of "plans"

    As long as we are posting our trackplans, built or planning to build....  for inspiration purposes, would it be a bad idea to post trackplans that are not likely to be built such as "dream" layout plans? Maybe a dream layout section?

All Trackplans are welcome!

If you have a plan you want to post, by all means, please do!