05-04-2010, 01:18 AM
Gary S;
Agree with you 110%. Less is more and bigger is not always better! I love the small switching layouts I've seen done that are based on prototype operations in the Miami, Florida area. I'm just more into the mid-west area myself. Whatever I model, there HAS to be a grain elevator or feed mill some where along the line! I also want to have some relatively open space that is just scenery along the track - makes even a small layout look larger and helps to separate individual scenes.
I always use manual uncoupling. Don't like the unrealistic extra moves you often have to make with magnetic uncoupling. I have a couple of Rix magnetic uncoupling tools that work okay, but I made simple uncoupling tools from plastic tubing with a thin metal blade on the end that work much better.
Kevin;
I'd love to having staging or storage tracks incorporated into the plan, but just not feasible without messing up the interchange area on the plan. Not even room to put a removable "staging cassette" on this plan. I had considered some sort of plan that would/could have "staging" but I like to make it obvious that the spur or short line connects to another railroad. I can live with handling the cars.
Galen;
Not possible to see over the backdrop, without standing on something. The existing benchwork is 48 inches high which will put the top of the backdrop 72 inches above the floor. I'm 74 inches tall and would not be able to see over it.
Stein;
I have to agree that there is a lot of wasted space on this plan. I've considered several different things to do, but none of them work out very well. At 4ft x 20ft, the floor space is not really an issue as the basement is my "private domain" LOL. I had considered putting a narrow shelf layout above the computer and work desk, but it would only be 14 feet in length and could only be on that one wall. Not only that, but it would require leaning over the computer and desk to reach everything. Also, I'm really not that eager (nor do I have the energy) to tear all this down and start from scratch LOL, but I may have to give in - get some help and do just that!
I'm still looking at other potential small railroad operations (there are many) that might fit better in the available areas in my "private domain", but just haven't hit on anything else that appeals to me like this does. As I mentioned in my initial post - I have considered a plan that would utilize both sides of the existing benchwork section, but just can't get the track arrangements to match the prototype I'm considering for that plan. I guess I just get too hung-up on trying to duplicate the real thing! I've spent several months, since I retired; researching various industrial or short line operations and sitting around with pad and pencil sketching out possible plans. You sure can waste a lot of time and get nothing accomplished!
David;
Hadn't thought about it, but yes that end does look like an Inglenook switching puzzle. I'm still shifting some things around on the plan, so don't know if it will end up looking that way if I go ahead and build this. As is, just spotting cars at their designated locations at both industries would be about the same thing. The left side of the plan with the interchange track and track to the feed/grain mill is what really appealed to me about this particular railroad operation, so I don't want to change that part.
I appreciate everyone's input. There are some really great modeler's on this site!
Ed
Agree with you 110%. Less is more and bigger is not always better! I love the small switching layouts I've seen done that are based on prototype operations in the Miami, Florida area. I'm just more into the mid-west area myself. Whatever I model, there HAS to be a grain elevator or feed mill some where along the line! I also want to have some relatively open space that is just scenery along the track - makes even a small layout look larger and helps to separate individual scenes.
I always use manual uncoupling. Don't like the unrealistic extra moves you often have to make with magnetic uncoupling. I have a couple of Rix magnetic uncoupling tools that work okay, but I made simple uncoupling tools from plastic tubing with a thin metal blade on the end that work much better.
Kevin;
I'd love to having staging or storage tracks incorporated into the plan, but just not feasible without messing up the interchange area on the plan. Not even room to put a removable "staging cassette" on this plan. I had considered some sort of plan that would/could have "staging" but I like to make it obvious that the spur or short line connects to another railroad. I can live with handling the cars.
Galen;
Not possible to see over the backdrop, without standing on something. The existing benchwork is 48 inches high which will put the top of the backdrop 72 inches above the floor. I'm 74 inches tall and would not be able to see over it.
Stein;
I have to agree that there is a lot of wasted space on this plan. I've considered several different things to do, but none of them work out very well. At 4ft x 20ft, the floor space is not really an issue as the basement is my "private domain" LOL. I had considered putting a narrow shelf layout above the computer and work desk, but it would only be 14 feet in length and could only be on that one wall. Not only that, but it would require leaning over the computer and desk to reach everything. Also, I'm really not that eager (nor do I have the energy) to tear all this down and start from scratch LOL, but I may have to give in - get some help and do just that!
I'm still looking at other potential small railroad operations (there are many) that might fit better in the available areas in my "private domain", but just haven't hit on anything else that appeals to me like this does. As I mentioned in my initial post - I have considered a plan that would utilize both sides of the existing benchwork section, but just can't get the track arrangements to match the prototype I'm considering for that plan. I guess I just get too hung-up on trying to duplicate the real thing! I've spent several months, since I retired; researching various industrial or short line operations and sitting around with pad and pencil sketching out possible plans. You sure can waste a lot of time and get nothing accomplished!
David;
Hadn't thought about it, but yes that end does look like an Inglenook switching puzzle. I'm still shifting some things around on the plan, so don't know if it will end up looking that way if I go ahead and build this. As is, just spotting cars at their designated locations at both industries would be about the same thing. The left side of the plan with the interchange track and track to the feed/grain mill is what really appealed to me about this particular railroad operation, so I don't want to change that part.
I appreciate everyone's input. There are some really great modeler's on this site!
Ed
Ed
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"