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Modular Layout N Scale Plan Dream and design
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New member 5 posts Brakeman New member 5 posts
Brakeman

I've been working through a layout design for the past few months, trying to get something that took the best advantage of my very small space (apartment living), with thought about the future -- I know I will move at least once, possibly several times, in the next 5 years.  Before I commence on building this, I'd love to get some constructive criticism about what I could do better, keeping in mind my overall goals (which are stated below). 

This layout takes some inspiration from the "Beer Line" modular design published in recent issues of Model Railroader.  In the configuration shown below, designed around my current apartment, there is a module which forms the stem of a "T"; the track locations at the ends of the modules are designed to be "plug n play" -- the center module can move all the way over to the left side, to form an "L", or can plug in to the right side's short end to form one long straight bench.  To facilitate a quick and dirty staging area, I plan to build some cassette modules which can be plugged in to the areas where the track extends to the layout edge.

The main module will break down into 2 parts of about equal size for moving.  Each module (2 middle plus moveable extension) are sized to fit inside the back of my vehicle.  This division is not shown for clarity with the track plan.

I'm aware that the curves are considered tight, especially for modern rolling stock.  I have a small chainsaw layout right now which uses 11.25" curves, and I have modern passenger rolling stock running on it.  I know what the overhang for long rolling stock looks like, and I'm ok with the visuals of the overhang.

I'm not interested in operations very much -- I like to occasionally move some traffic in and out of sidings, but mostly, I like to set things on auto-pilot and just sit back and watch.  My enjoyment mostly comes from the actual construction and detailing of the model.

Goals:

  • Continuous running
  • Large passenger station is anchor / layout focus
  • Moveable / reconfigurable
  • One or 2 small on-line industries that see a few cars a week of traffic (Suggestions on the industry type?)

Tech Specs:

  • Scale: N
  • Era: Present
  • Prototype: Freelance
  • Grid: 12" squares
  • Minimum radius: 11.25"
  • Turnout frogs: #7
  • Track spacing: 1.5"
  • Main area: 80" x 30"
  • Moveable extension: 36" x 27"

With all that said, what could I improve?

dular-v1.png 

For more information, please see my blog entry about this design.

 
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Artarms Regular poster 297 posts
Artarms

passenger throat trap

I suggest you find a way to convert the bottom module into a reverse loop.  That would allow longer and  more interesting continuous running and make the terminal entrance throat useful.

I visited your blog site but my eyes are too old to attempt to read grey text on black bckground.

Sorry

Art
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Brakeman New member 5 posts
Brakeman

 Art: First, about my

Art: First, about my personal blog, I had never considered how visually accessible it is to others.  I've already swapped out that theme for something that has much more contrast, with plain black text on very light gray background for that reason. Thank for pointing that out.

Now, about this particular layout design: I'll look in to this.  I haven't the slightest clue off the top of my head on how I might accomplish that, but I'll try fiddling with the design more.  

I started this particular design with placing the station tracks first.  What I found out quickly was that the yard throat in a more conventional straight approach took up enough room length wise that I couldn't connect the final approach from the main track into the station while having station tracks as long as the ones shown here (the top 2 support 6 Superliners + engine, and the bottom 2 can support 4 Superliners + engine).   I started investigating a way to curve the approach to the station, resulting in what you see here.  However, those experimented were done with a continuous loop occupying the extreme edges of the table, so maybe modifying the loop some could give me different / better options.
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