New British Layout -- Open to Feedback

[RobertInOntario]

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 --> ?

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.

Andrew

Andrew: I still think the module idea is a good way to go. I could certainly consider this layout as a "module" and add another module to it later on. I'm also interested in transporting this layout to other sites, (train shows? there aren't too many British layouts at trains shows so this is an idea). Thanks, Rob