05-28-2009, 05:54 PM
Hi Rob,
Is this the realization of the planning from here: <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1119">viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1119</a><!-- l --> ?
If so, I'd ask if you established any goals, since as I noted in the other thread, we may not be able to provide suitable feedback without some sort of criteria for what you consider a successful layout.
In case you think I am being a little demanding/rigid/crazy
on the "goals" I will tell you about how I came to my track plan. For a few years when I first got back into the hobby, I though that beginners had to build the requisite 4x8 as a starter in order to get experience, learn, etc, etc. Then they could build a "real" layout using all that knowledge gained from the "throwaway" 4x8. So I searched for the perfect 4x8. I thought I had found it in the form of something called the Beaver Creek and Kettle Mountain. I built the benchwork, installed legs, laid track, etc, etc. Then I found that I wasn't really sure how it operated, and the original article did not really explain it (it was all about mining, which I figured I could "translate" into something else - but it never did work out).
Then I started looking at the real railways that I was interested in, and in the time period I wanted to know more about. I settled on CNR in the 1920s and 1930s. I then enlisted some help from friends who have a lot of prototype knowledge, and I came up with a plan for two 2x6 foot modules that bolt together. There is no continuous run, but I should be able to operate them like a switching layout on their own. Plus I built them to HOTrak standards, so when they're done, I can take them to meets and hook them up with several scale miles of track.
Anyway, enough about me...
You stated:
Well, you've made a small (check) and portable (check) layout. You want to try/do some scenery (check). But you are not sure where to place industries and roads. So what are the operational requirements for this layout? How do the industries figure into it (i.e. why did the railway come to town)? You also want to run passenger trains, but they are restricted to the outside loop - there's nothing wrong with that - consider it an different route. But figuring out the overall scheme/purpose of the thing seems to be elusive.
So as I stated in the other thread, I think that you should really set out some objectives. After all, how will you know you've arrived if you don't know where you are going?
Andrew
Is this the realization of the planning from here: <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1119">viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1119</a><!-- l --> ?
If so, I'd ask if you established any goals, since as I noted in the other thread, we may not be able to provide suitable feedback without some sort of criteria for what you consider a successful layout.
In case you think I am being a little demanding/rigid/crazy
on the "goals" I will tell you about how I came to my track plan. For a few years when I first got back into the hobby, I though that beginners had to build the requisite 4x8 as a starter in order to get experience, learn, etc, etc. Then they could build a "real" layout using all that knowledge gained from the "throwaway" 4x8. So I searched for the perfect 4x8. I thought I had found it in the form of something called the Beaver Creek and Kettle Mountain. I built the benchwork, installed legs, laid track, etc, etc. Then I found that I wasn't really sure how it operated, and the original article did not really explain it (it was all about mining, which I figured I could "translate" into something else - but it never did work out).Then I started looking at the real railways that I was interested in, and in the time period I wanted to know more about. I settled on CNR in the 1920s and 1930s. I then enlisted some help from friends who have a lot of prototype knowledge, and I came up with a plan for two 2x6 foot modules that bolt together. There is no continuous run, but I should be able to operate them like a switching layout on their own. Plus I built them to HOTrak standards, so when they're done, I can take them to meets and hook them up with several scale miles of track.
Anyway, enough about me...
You stated:Quote:My 'problem' is that I'm trying to build a small, portable layout in the spare room of our basement. I will probably tweak this even more and work on the scenery in due course -- the scenery is obviously not finished. I'm not even sure where I'm going to place the road and industries, etc. FYI, the street and a few other details are left over from a previous version of this layout -- hopefully I can re-use at least part of the street.
The layout's size is approx. 3-ft wide by 5-ft long. The outer loop uses 18" radius track (except for the outer siding where I had to use tighter curves) while the curves of the inner loop is entirely made up of 15" radius track. FYI, the layout is also British 00, which is similar to our HO.
My small tank engines (0-6-0's and 0-4-0's) can haul freight trains on the inner loop (and outer loop) while many of my larger locos will be limited to the outer loop, especially larger passenger trains.
Well, you've made a small (check) and portable (check) layout. You want to try/do some scenery (check). But you are not sure where to place industries and roads. So what are the operational requirements for this layout? How do the industries figure into it (i.e. why did the railway come to town)? You also want to run passenger trains, but they are restricted to the outside loop - there's nothing wrong with that - consider it an different route. But figuring out the overall scheme/purpose of the thing seems to be elusive.
So as I stated in the other thread, I think that you should really set out some objectives. After all, how will you know you've arrived if you don't know where you are going?
Andrew