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Assigning heights

Started by RhB_HJ, March 02, 2011, 09:13:39 PM

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glakedylan

WillYart

no problem.

what dimensions are you working with? how wide is your footprint.

if you want a much longer easement, the 60 percent of curve will work with a width of 44 inches.

Respectfully,
Gary L Lake Dillensnyder

WillYart

#16
Dear Gary, Thanks for the files.  That has the advantage of being much more gradual although it takes up more space.  I hope to have a siding or two and a yard with 3 turnouts for train assembly and locomotive shed.

41" x 72 1/8" (so the easement would have to be a tad smaller).  I don't mind bringing the tracks within 1-2 inches from the edge.  I want to do double track if I can but maybe it's a bad idea.  I'm planning to use short-ish freight cars with a modestly sized diesel locomotive such as: https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Tillig/04588.aspx

Attached: photos of benchwork!  It's a trundle, it rolls neatly under the bed.

Mahalo,

Bill


EDIT: fixed layout dimensions

glakedylan

Bill,
looking good...looks like you are quite the carpenter. I take it the dimensions are a given as to what will fit unber bed.

Here's an example of what you might do. It is a simple double track oval with easements, crossovers, and an industrial or passenger siding.

Just something to help get the creative pump flowing.

Enjoy!

Respectfully,
Gary L Lake Dillensnyder

WillYart

#18
That was neatly drawn, thanks.  Yep the dimensions are the very maximum possible while fitting under the futon bed.

Here is my start at a plan, I've been fidling with it, it is like yours (attached).  The Tillig double crossover switch is really expensive (~$100), hence why I just used pairs of normal switches.  Actually I might change my mind about this because 4 switches cost some and take up more space!  Any advice?

I was looking at these TT scale layout plans:

http://www.thortrains.net/ttscale/ttlay2.html

...what do you think of the one labelled "More switches mean more action"?

Also looking at the 1st 3 of these (they allow continuous loop):

http://www.thortrains.net/ttscale/ttlay1.html

I'm in preplanning stages while I wait until the end of the month when I can start mail ordering everything.

RhB_HJ

More action depends on what is happening on the different sidings, I've seen many layouts that had a lot of turnouts but their usefulness was questionable.
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

Jeff

WillYart,

What size is the entire room? Is there enough room for TWO of the boards that currently hold your layout plan? Don't forget that if you have room under the futon, you could perhaps stack boards and have twice the layout. Keep this option on mind for the future.

As for your proposed layout plan, I'd like to offer an alternative. It's not much space, which is a shame, but this plan allows single-track continuous running of twice the length compared to your layout. This is done by putting a double-slip in place of the single crossover. You can duplicate the action of your original layout while allowing the flexibility to go from the inner loop to the outer. You have a few industrial sidings, as well, to give your railroad a reason to exist. It's not a perfect plan, but you don't have room, in TT, for perfection. If you wanted to give up continuous running, you might be able to build an interesting industrial point to point railway. That  would likely call for greater operator involvement and things like turning trains quickly become an interesting puzzle, especially if the traffic is heavy.

Anyway, here is a first quick try at a layout similar to the one you posted.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

WillYart

Dear Jeff,

Thanks very much for helping.  That looks like a skillfully designed siding.  I adopted the file and started playing with it.

I've been spending a lot of time reading up on considerations to make when designing the track plan, especially on a layout with grades.  Have been looking at the plans here as well (they are N scale though, although we're still set on TT scale):

http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm

The futon is on jackstands; the clearance from the surface of the plywood to the frame of the futon is 9 1/2".  We're thinking about a mountains and a bridge.  My 4.5 year old son already mounted a cardboard mountain on it!

I'm thinking about hiding a yard or staging area hidden behind the mountain, letting the mountain be open in the back so one could reach inside to deal with the trains.

Right yes, so I've begun thinking about that, and realizing it's not good to rush into designing something without considering the purpose.  Operationally, the goal is to have 2 or 3 industries at least 2 of which feed into each other; if we can squeeze a small passenger platform in there somewhere with a mail car I think that would be great.

I think I need to buy Anyrail, it doesn't allows many more pieces than are already on the plan.

Anyway, under the bed is the only place we can put a layout right now without going through a lot of upheaval but I won't rule out the possibility I could later find a way to rearrange things.  We're in a very small place, such is life in Hawaii.  Maybe if we have success within the current parameters, the spouse will be willing allow future adjustments.  ;)

RhB_HJ

Will,

When you get to the planning stage could you post those files in the Track Plans section, thank you.

BTW I looked at the layouts in that link you posted, most of them lack some imagination.
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

Jeff

Yes, I definitely support a bunch of 'playing around' with track designs before heading to the local hobby shop! And AR is a great tool for doing that. You say you're set in your choice of TT scale for it and as long as everything you'll need is available, I can't give any other argument than the one you've heard already- As you go down in size, you get more relative space on your layout. I do wish you'd post a plan of the room. We often have suggestions on layout size and placement that the room owner hadn't thought of. Perhaps we can help you get a little more space for the railway. Be sure to include windows, doors, and furnishings.
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

WillYart

#24
Dear Mr. Mueller, I see, sure.  Really; well I'm new to this, and I was a bit overwhelmed by the geometry of those plans.  I'm reading as much as I can about track planning.

Hi Jeff, I'll consider that; maybe once I get AnyRail I'll put the floorplan and furniture in there.  We're squeezed in tight in a tiny apartment!  Such is life in Hawaii.  But I think you're right, there are other possibilities.

I used to be an HO modeller when I was a kid, it would be hard to go down to N.  My uncle had them and they're so tiny, they seem hard to deal with, maybe not as fun for a kid.

Bill

Jeff

Bill,

True, N is smaller and maybe not as (young) kid-friendly. On the other hand, you're starved for space and kids have this terrifying thing where they keep getting older and growing. if you can really get the boy interested, N scale makes a great training ground for manual skills. You could start him out with some plastic building kits and such. I once thought that N scale might be just too small to be fun, but when I got into it, it changed my viewpoint. The smaller size gives a plus when viewing trains. That 'train as one big unit' feeling as it snakes through turnouts is actually easier to get as you go smaller, since you get more cars per foot. I suggest visiting a hobby shop. Look at what's available for both HO and N. Talk to the guy at the counter and see if there are any local clubs you might visit. In the end, you do what you want, but N scale deserves a look (or maybe 2).
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

RhB_HJ

Bill,

TT is a niche scale - there isn't as much available as in H0 or N - and what is available is mostly European style. N has now almost as large a variety as H0, but apart from the size advantage - more stuff in the same space - there are also disadvantages because of the size e.g. dust and fluff doesn't scale down, track needs to be more carefully laid than in H0.

On that "view" one needs to stand some distance from the track to get that "I see the whole train" sensation and on a small layout that is best avoided in any case. Seeing the whole shebang at once kills that "real time" feeling in a hurry; having scenic/visual breaks prevents that to a large degree.
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

Jeff

#27
@HJ,

No-one will have to worry about seeing your whole layout at once--- too much construction debris blocks the sight line! :D ;D :P


By the way, HJ, just what scale ARE you modeling in? There seems to be a little confusion felt by someone trying to figure out exactly what size is what...
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It

RhB_HJ

Oh dear!  :o ::) ::)

The scale I'm modeling is 1:22.5 aka IIm, running on 45mm track gauge.  :P

About those sightlines, unless you can see around corners and through walls you're SOL. But the trains are all of "normal size" i.e. do what the proto did during that era and be happy!

And yes, we have real rock, real scree and real dirt on this railway. Along with real water and (sometimes) real snow. :P And to set the bar a little higher, we also have real weather. 8) 8)
Hans-Joerg Mueller
Coldstream, BC   Canada

http://www.rhb-grischun.ca

My train videos

Win7Pro 64bit; 8 GB RAM; i5 2.67GHz; 1920x1080 22" display

Jeff

Do you have a 1:22.5 weather man to keep your (scale) citizens informed? :) At that size, you surely must be super-detailing everything...
Later,                                                AnyRail Fanatic
Jeff                      and Unofficial Guy Who Knows Almost Everything About It