My Effort

[ozcyclops]

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to say that I absolutely love this software. It is just so easy to use, all the main components are here and the learning curve isnt at all steep

Anyway, here is my layout. I have a room about 10x10 or thereabouts, but with some obstacles. The plan is a basic, single track branch line (shown in light blue), coming off a mainline somewhere off the board. It merges with a freight only line (red), and runs almost parallel for a short distance, before the freight line moves off down hill and eventually under the branch line. On the western (left) side, there is a substantial marshalling yard (yellow), and behind that on a higher piece of ground is a loco servicing facility dark blue). The layout will be set somewhere around the period where steam was moving out of favour. There will still be a number of steam engines in use, but there will also be some early diesel railcars running around the branch.

Your comments and recommendations will be appreciated.

Shane

[David]

Hi Shane,

Looks good! I like the story that goes with it as well. Each element has a clear purpose.

A few questions though:
- Why does the freight line go all the way back round (dotted track)? You could just connect it at the top and let trains wait a bit while in the hidden area. It's a bit cheaper and simpler. On the other hand, if you keep the hidden loop, I would probably double the track so that trains can pass each other there.

- In the busy top left corner, you might not be able to stretch far enough to reach everything. Maybe you should leave a 60x60cm opening for emergencies!

- Are you planning for a duck-under? That might be acceptable for you, but with the layout I once had I regretted that deeply. I myself got tired of getting in and out of the train room, and visitors sometimes didn't feel comfortable going on all fours! I would try and find a way to create a bridge or something that you can simply open, or a part that you can take out.

David.

[ozcyclops]

Thanks David for the reply. The hidden track is also a hidden fiddle yard, and will allow me to model longer, through-running freight trains, as well as a local pick up. I don't want a double track freight line, as I want to keep a slightly rural atmosphere to the layout. I already have the track so that isn't an issue.  The upper left corner is an outward opening door, so access is OK there. You are right about a duck-under, but its all I can do for the moment.

Shane

[David]

Hi Shane,

For the double track I was thinking about the hidden area, not the visible part. You wouldn't lose the rural feeling in that case. Talking rural, could you tell a bit more about the scenery you have in mind?

David.

[ozcyclops]

Yes, well, I am a long way from scenery just yet, but it will be in the order of rolling hills, so I can have lots of small bridges, culverts, cuttings and hills. I hate flat scenery, unless it is in a cityscape environment. The only things I want for sure is a 500-800mm bridge/viaduct where the two loops run parallel for a short while on the lower left of the plan. The branch line will be a little higher than the mashalling yard, and the loco servicing facility will be higher still.

By the way, I have updated the plan with some minor changes - attached

shane

[kimbo]

Looking real good, with plenty of operational interest!