Valued Opinions
Okay model railroad planners, here is the basic request: I need your opinion/comments on a design for a new layout for my new home railroad starting construction in January.
Basic Info:
HO Scale Code 83 track
U-shaped 16’x14’x16’
Tortise and hand throw switches
Digitrak power and throttles
Nickel Plate Road 1940 – 1950’s theme
Steam and early diesel power
My dilemma is whether to have an out-and-back starting from staging and a turntable on one end with a return loop on the other given some passing sidings, or continuous running with return loops on both ends.
The layout I envision can be operated by just me (switching and “local” trains) and occasional operating sessions with 3-5 individuals. There will be no CTC nor planned operating signals. I plan on using switching lists and written train orders on cards for each freight or passenger train from staging.
Thoughts? Looking for input. Limited budget. Big on detailed scenery and customers for the railroad. This will be my last and “dream” layout as this is my retirement home.
>> Posts index
Navigation
Journals/Blogs
Recent Blog posts:
Comments
Thoughts On An Empty Page
Back to the Drawing Boards! Thanks for all the input. I'm having to re-think running and hidden (with access) return rails from one side to the other. The center peninsula wor a major yard and roundhouse/diesel facility is also intriguing. Hmmmm.
Will sharpen my pencils and get back to everyone. I like the back side and yard from the Beer Line layout as I have a brewery; the yard and roundhouse from the Inyo & White Mountain could be modified; and the port area from the Whasup Dock Co. layout could hold the rail car float I made in honor of my dad. The H.J. Calhoun could sail the waters on my new layout.
I now have a great space and really want to make maximum use of it instead of just "making do" as I've done with minimal spaces over the last 50 years. Of course, winning the lottery and owning a huge warehouse (aka Miniatur Wonderland in Germany) would be ideal. However, practicality and budgets rule. At 75 this month, I'm content with assembling a childhood dream and a remembrance of my days with my dad on the Nickel Plate Road.
Chief Operating Officer
The Greater Nickel Plate