My First Layout (R&R Rail)...

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RonP

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Ok so this is the material i squanderred out of the Jobsites i install stairs in. Usually it is scrap bits swept into a corner but turns out to be totally sufficiant for train benchwork.

The pic below (Made with sketchup) Shows the design i am sticking with. I Don't have DCC but am going to wire for it from the start. 90% of all the structures and landscape will be scratch work (thatnks to the great scrap i work around).

I'll keep you posted with all my buildings i have started and am starting on.

R&R Rail Co.
Ron & Rene Pare
 

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Russ Bellinis

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If you run dc and want to run multiple trains, you will need to put isolated blocks into the layout and have a throttle for each train you want to run. I noticed the table on the right side is 4 feet deep. If it is against a wall, it may be difficult to reach the back of the layout. If it isn't against a wall, you could actually get a larger layout in the same space by extending it over against the wall and making the benchwork slight narrower, say 30 inches or so.
 
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RonP

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Russ Bellinis said:
If you run dc and want to run multiple trains, you will need to put isolated blocks into the layout and have a throttle for each train you want to run. I noticed the table on the right side is 4 feet deep. If it is against a wall, it may be difficult to reach the back of the layout. If it isn't against a wall, you could actually get a larger layout in the same space by extending it over against the wall and making the benchwork slight narrower, say 30 inches or so.
Click to expand...
The only wally is located on the 2' wide side. A tressle and steep mountain backdrop are planned for the back there so it should push the mainline trains forward to the side i need them.
 

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Buddog

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RonP said:
I want to wire for DCC from the start, Am i on the right start ?

the bus line is 14/2 wire that will connect each section of benchwork (made for the move next year)
Click to expand...

That will work you can run feeder lines off that bus to the tracks above, but remeber that in DC you can't run more then one locomotive unless you isolate the tracks...

What era are you planning to run?
 
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Buddog

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So it's going to be all steam? Shay's for the logging? I saw my first full size operational Shay this past summer in Ottawa at the museum of Science and Technology really cool.

You may want to really look at where you are going to have your sections connect, see if your going to have to many problems (Connecting / disconnecting), I am also building in sections that can be taken apart I'm finding curves, tunnels scenery in general is going to be difficult to cut in half and still get the same effect.

Tom
 
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NYNH&H

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For a layout that size, you shouldn't need more than 18 gauge lamp wire, or whatever else you have laying around that is 18 gauge or thicker. Speaker wire is good also, as long as it is 18 gauge. Then use 22 gauge feeders. You can still use terminal strips for easy disassembly. If you are going to have more than one operator, you will want to have some sort of short protection and power districts, probably using 1156 taillight builbs. See Joe Fugate's site and wiringfordcc.com for more info on this. If you run with DC, you can only have one loco on the layout at a time.
 
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RonP

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NYNH&H said:
For a layout that size, you shouldn't need more than 18 gauge lamp wire, or whatever else you have laying around that is 18 gauge or thicker. Speaker wire is good also, as long as it is 18 gauge. Then use 22 gauge feeders. You can still use terminal strips for easy disassembly. If you are going to have more than one operator, you will want to have some sort of short protection and power districts, probably using 1156 taillight builbs. See Joe Fugate's site and wiringfordcc.com for more info on this. If you run with DC, you can only have one loco on the layout at a time.
Click to expand...

I am aiming for only one operator. But i am intending to go nutty with the led's.
One line will stay seperate for my son and DC

Buddog said:
So it's going to be all steam? Shay's for the logging? I saw my first full size operational Shay this past summer in Ottawa at the museum of Science and Technology really cool.
You may want to really look at where you are going to have your sections connect, see if your going to have to many problems (Connecting / disconnecting), I am also building in sections that can be taken apart I'm finding curves, tunnels scenery in general is going to be difficult to cut in half and still get the same effect.
Tom
Click to expand...

Going for steam yes i don't want to be tied down by accurate details this empires aim is to just look kool.

My sections are going to be aimed at easy seperation. Hopefully ill find my camera cable so i can add the pics here.
 
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NYNH&H

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DO NOT mix DC and DCC, as if a loco goes over the gap, then you can fry decoders. If you want to run an older loco without DCC, just throw a decoder in it, and you should be good to go.
 
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LoudMusic

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Wow! Somebody else using Sketchup for layout design - that's pretty cool :) You can see my work over here: http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=22290

I would suggest using XTrkCAD for the track layout, though. It'll help you with things like gradients and radii.

About your layout, I'd say it's a good start. The more you play with it the more it will change. You'll see that in my thread.
 
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Glen Haasdyk

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I'm in the same boat as you I supose. I can't afford Dcc yet but as I wires all the blocks in my DC layout I made it so the switch to DCC will be fairly easy, I wired all blocks seprately with both positive and negative wires running to each block and 18 guage wire was used.
 
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NYNH&H

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I would recommend skipping the DC, as you are limiting the flexibility of your operation by having two separate layouts that cannot interchange anything. Decoders are cheap. ($15)
 
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NYNH&H

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Good start. Might want to add some more turnouts and siding and whatnot if the budget allows, as that would add more switching/ operational interest.
 
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