Hello all!  I've spent many hundreds of hours going through designing what I thought would be the perfect track plan for the area that I have.  I've solicited opinions and help from a few people.  Now I have a plan that I like, but I just want to make sure that there aren't any glaring deficiencies...



The layout will be set in the late 1950s. The main industry is Ladish Co., but there is also a CNW car shop near by and the Patrick Cudahy plant. In my small space (12' x 12'10" plus small bonus area), I didn't think I could get all three in, but I'd like to if possible.



This will be the lowest of three decks of a multi-deck layout. The level above will be Waukesha and the top deck will be staging.



I am planning 20" (rail head to rail head) between decks. At most the layout will be 18" deep with a possible 24" bump-out. There is a 10 turn helix in the corner, it is 29.75" and 32" radius.

HO Shelf layout with possible peninsula and helix to connect levels. 

Room size approximately 12' x 12'10" + 2'.

Cudahy (39") (18" Shelf) - Version 9Major industries/LDEs:

• Ladish Drop Forge
• Northern Refrigerator Car Repair Shop
• Cudahy Bros. Meat Packing
• Yard Operations

• CNW Bridge over Milwaukee Road
• Trackside Industries on the east side of Waukesha
• SOO Line Interchange
• CNW Depot

• Through Staging

As I primarily operate by myself, I'm designing the layout with DCC.  I also plan on incorporating computer control for additional "operators".  Usually if I have guests over to see it, they are happy railfanning (unfortunately). I've spent enough time on various forums to know that I want to be able to operate the layout, not just watch it run.  Don't get me wrong though, it is nice to just enjoy watching trains come and go sometimes.  For this reson, the layout design is for continuous running.  However, I think I have set it up so it could be operated in a realistic manner as well.