That's a lot of action

What is the physical size and what is the scale ?

N scale. Table is 4.5' x

N scale. Table is 4.5' x 8.5'. The base is made with metal studs and the roadbed is Homasote. It's a work in progress started in 2011.

Looks nice

I like that track plan, its a 2-track main that looks like a four track in places. I know a guy who in O-scale had a single track main, but has a section where the single track is next to itself so that it looks like a double track main.

What track plan/cad program are you using?

Mobius Strip?

Where does it run on the bottom? .....DaveB

CadRail

Hi Jim, I used CadRail.  http://www.cadrail.com/  CadRail has Peco turnout template drawings that simplified the task. I spent about two years developing the plan before I was ready to start construction. I could not have done the layout without CadRail.

Nancy

Hi DaveB, right now it goes

Hi DaveB, right now it goes off the edge. I made two provisions for future expansion. Some day....

Nancy

Looks like fun

I'm so glad you posted the photo Nancy, it transforms my impression of the project significantly. Although still quite "packed" there is a lot more elbow room in N than the track diagram suggests. 

It looks like you've also installed signals - that fascinates me. The various routes that your trains can run must be well understood in order to operate the lines, unless following those signals guides the unfamiliar operator. Or, as you have implied, this is a layout dedicated to scratching your very particular itch. Either way, I get it, a design like this can fully absorb your attention for years. Awesome. 

Now that you're operational I'd like to ask "the question" (the one that is standard fare at most layout design SIG meets): if you were to start over, what would you do differently? Anything?

Second Iteration

Hi Jeff, I did pack a bit of track into the Pasta Route. I'm planning for the eventual Appalachian scenery to break up the action into individual scenes. This is my second iteration. I built the first in 2006 after about 20 years absence from my previous HO model railroad. I was was impressed with N scale evolution and DCC. I wanted a two track main, ability to reverse direction, space for a yard, and an easily transported layout. 

 My first iteration had significant shortcomings: turnouts and curves needed more room, the grade was inconsistent and steeper than desired, the delineation of blocks did not allow for proper signaling, the yard had no leads off the main, and the pink foam base was problematic. The first iteration did prove out concepts such as building a moderately complex layout using DCC and the block occupancy hardware I created.

My second iteration was designed with CadRail to ensure the grade and alignment were feasible. I replace pink foam with Homasote for a track base, divided the track into blocks based on control points just like the prototype, and. added yard leads.

This iteration is close enough to my desired layout that I don't plan a third iteration at this time. The biggest warts are caused by the stub yards off the reversing loops. The mainline grade is less than 2% and the reverse loops have a maximum 3.5% grade. Where the stub yards crossed the grade is level and this creates a sort of stair step track profile that doesn't have sufficient room. Stub yards in the middle are more difficult to reach and I don't use them very much yet.

I have working signals which I will describe in a separate entry. 

Nancy

Insulators

You also have a nice collection of insulators in the background I have not seen such a variety I only have a couple different ones myself.

Insulators galore

I started collecting insulators as a kid after my older brother started collecting them. I am amazed at the variety of colors and styles that were once produced. I read somewhere that the color is incidental. Insulator companies used whatever glass and raw materials that were available. 

Nancy 

Estimating Hours of Service

Using JMRI speedometer and a stop watch I did some timing. I set the train speed to 25 mph, which is close to normal track speed for my layout. Traversing Main 1 or Main 2 requires 2 min 45 sec. Traversing Main 1, Main 2, and both reverse loops requires 5 min 25 sec.

Nancy

Track speed

I did some further experiments and determined that at 40 mph a train takes 3 min 30 sec to go once around on my longest continuous route. 40 mph is my upper speed limit due to the small layout size and 12" track radius. 

Nancy