Shelf layout around my office - importing base plan

[daviesapn]

Hello all

New to the forum, but have been dabbling with Anyrail these past couple of weeks.  I am building quite an ambitious layout - at 2m from floor level, on a custom built shelf around my office.  The shelf navigates an AC unit.

I have drawn the shelf in CAD so I can share it with a carpenter - but before I tell him to start, I want to check the layout works in Anyrail.

Is there a way of importing a CAD into Anyrail, and using that as my base?  I don't think there is, but thought I would check!  Any other ideas for a workaround?  My only other thought is to import from AR into CAD, check and then go back into AR, tweak and re-export.  But that is not ideal.

I have attached an initial CAD so you can see what I am doing.

Thanks all,
Andrew

[ughcat35]

Andrew, Looks nice. I would like a shelf layout also but wife not going for it yet. I think this is close to what you want.  Not sure around the AC unit got as close as I could by eye.

Don

[ughcat35]

Andrew,  If you open on AnyRail and don't see the shelf just click the home tab close to the upper left. If you don't see the shelf then let me know and will upload again.  What scale and brand of track will you be using?

Don

[ughcat35]

Andrew,  Just to get the basic flow,   Looks like it will be very tight on the right side of the AC unit. Not sure what your plans are but you may have to add to the shelf about to where the pink is.

Don

[daviesapn]

I don't know how to thank you.  This is wonderful! Thank you so much!

I have just imported it back into the CAD the carpenter will work from and it is so very close.  Just a couple of areas around the air conditioning unit which are slightly different.  Only slightly though.  Must have taken some time to do?  Thank you!

As for my track, I am using 00 gauge (now in my 50's, I am resurrecting a hobby from my teens).  Was going to go for Hornby track but am open to suggestions. I only have a couple of pieces left over (which I am using to display only) so can adapt.

Your layout looks great too - though I was going to go down to single track in front of the AC unit to keep it tight.

I like how you have gone to 3 rails on the long straight - may adopt that!  Makes it interesting.

I would love to share with you a draft layout when I have got it done (slightly busy with work at the moment) to get your thoughts.

Thanks again - so much!

Andrew

[ughcat35]

Andrew,  Nice. I'm just happy it worked out for you.  This was good practice for me.  Here is one more version of the shelf only different at the AC.   I was actually thinking of you going down to one track in that spot also.  Like a speed restriction zone.  Wasn't sure you wanted to go that route but makes a lot of since.  The 2 turnouts there are Peco.  The rest I did with Fast Tracks as it easier to get an idea of how to lay it out, then adjust to make your track brand fit if possible.  I would just find a brand that has a variety of track that will work and go from there.
Don

[ughcat35]

Andrew, sorry for being a pest but with that one mod to your shelf you could run double track throughout the layout. Just a thought.

Don

[ughcat35]

Andrew,  This is all Peco OO/HO Streamline Turnouts, flex track and Peco Setrack straight and radius code 100.

Don

[daviesapn]

You're doing all my work for me!! This is great!

I am actually thinking of having the shelf mirrored each side of the AC unit so that I can have more sidings etc. I do have this crazy idea to add two reverse loops over head height, but if not - I may be able to squeeze a turntable in if I have the same depth shelf to the right of the AC unit as I have on the left.
Thanks again - love your layout!

[ughcat35]

It's only crazy if it can't be done. The reverse loops sounds nice. Always good being able the change the heading of the whole train.  Like to hear how you plan to do the shelf support.  Maybe some threaded brass rods from the ceiling.  If not a turntable would work for the engines.  Mirroring the other side of the AC sounds like a good idea.  Wasn't sure if you wanted to use the small straight sections over flex track.   I have another file with most of them replaced if you want it.  Just left the sectional radius track in place.  Plus if you have other plans for track manufacture let me know.

[ughcat35]

Sorry, got me thinking.

[daviesapn]

I had exactly the same idea!  Would be so cool!  Though I wanted to have one mirroring this so that it could be used by trains in either direction.

May be a bit ambitious and my carpenter smirked when I told him that's what I want to do.  Thinking of getting the whole thing built and adding the reverse loop(s) in later.

One thing, my hunch was to avoid using flex track as much as possible but you have used it quite liberally.  My feeling was that fixed track would be more reliable as they are fixed lengths / curves.  In fact I was only going to use flex track to cut to length and keep it straight.  Is that true or do I not need to be concerned (as long as I don't go mad with curves!)

I was also going to use express points as much as possible as I heard somewhere that standard points can cause derailments.  Is that true?

[ughcat35]

So your thinking another reverse loop bottom left?

What track do you have available in your area?  Atlas has a much better selection than Hornby and Peco as for radius and straight section lengths (better chance of eliminate the majority of the flex track. May still want to use flex on the long straight runs to remove track joints.  Atlas has a nice selection of Turnouts.

If you use code 83 track you could maybe even fit in a few Walthers/Shinohara turnouts if needed.  Do the research on the express points I have read Peco turnouts were more reliable also Atlas and Walthers/Shinohara are good. Do some research if you have a free moment.

[daviesapn]

Exactly that - another loop bottom left, which is right above my wife's desk!

I live in London so probably have a good choice available to me. I can order from Hornby or the Peco UK site.

I haven't come across Walthers/Shinohara at all - will take a look.

[ughcat35]

Two different versions at the top. #5 is safer #1 is more interesting. This is all Atlas code 83.  Research to see if its something you could use.  I haven't use atlas for many years but hear they have made improvements.