Here I go again...New Layout HO scale/trashing old one

TrainJunkee

New Member
Hi All,

Its been a really long time since I've posted.. I have been working on a plan for almost 1 year and I decided to trash it as it was not well thought out.. My wife was on my case asking why I didn't work on it anymore.. Told her the original was not thought out well.. She suggested that I tare it down and start over and do it right now that I have now alot more than when I started.. I have permision to take an area 15'9" X16'.. Now that I now what I am doing I am trashing the foam Idea and doing an L-Girder bench... I was at grossmans Bargain outlet today and their dimension lumber is half the price of Lowes or home depot as it is a bargain basement type store. I got all the wood for the mesh of the L girder and I just need to get the 1"X4"X16' for the long L girders..I got 25 1"X4"X6' and it is all choice material... Small tight knots.. They were originally $1.98 each and they had them red taged for .98 cents each. I think I might go back and get the rest of them which is probably about 20 more.. I thing I am going with masonite spline road bed as I am going to buy a cheap table saw and miter saw... getting both 2 years old for 110.00.. I am going to try to keep a diary on here so you can see my progress... I know what I want the bench to look like but havent put alot of time into the track layout.... I drew out on paper what I want and will post it but is going to be a picture of my drawing.. I would love to have any suggestions as this is going to be a serious loyout no more hodge podge for me:thumb: again If you have like TrKCad and want to suget some layout idea I would be psych'd:twisted:.. Have picts on in a like 20 minutes
 

TrainJunkee

New Member
OK, Lets see if I can remember how to post pictures....OK I got it AgainBig island are 6ft so I can probably go with lik a 26-28 radius.. I wish I could have bigger radius but space 15'9"X16' wont let be..If you want to email me a plan for this space wink wink Nudge nudge.. I will not object!!!!!!!! I have atlas track plan software and trkCAD.. and I am not vergood at using it yet and this is why my plan is on paper:cry:
 

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nachoman

Hey, welcome back!

I think we all have had aspects of our layouts that we would like to do over. Nobody gets things right the first time. My mistake is usually trying to plan as I go along. Post your track plan, and the kind folks here will use their experience to give some constructive advice :)

Kevin
 

TrainJunkee

New Member
Hey, welcome back!

I think we all have had aspects of our layouts that we would like to do over. Nobody gets things right the first time. My mistake is usually trying to plan as I go along. Post your track plan, and the kind folks here will use their experience to give some constructive advice :)

Kevin


Hi Kevin,
Like I said I haven't given much thought to the layout as far as the track is concerned.. i have a picture of something of a hand scetched track plan on here its a little hard to make out!! I will try to mess with track cad and see if I can come up with something useful. I am not as much into operation as I am into scenery..I Like the washington state with its tall pines. I will be building wood trestle bridges and such. I may even try to incorporate duel gauge track up to a logging camp scene.. I would like to get my hands on a HOn3 Shay...I will start the benchwork without a track plan but I need to come up with something solid soon... I am thinking transition eraor a little earlier... I love steam but also like the F7 and such with the sounds they make
 

Triplex

Active Member
Your test shape in nice to see - not another 90-degree-angle benchwork design.However, those aisles are too narrow at the narrow points. I don't see why you need 6' benchwork at the turnarounds, though. The curves you specify would fit on 5' wide.
 

TrainJunkee

New Member
Your test shape in nice to see - not another 90-degree-angle benchwork design.However, those aisles are too narrow at the narrow points. I don't see why you need 6' benchwork at the turnarounds, though. The curves you specify would fit on 5' wide.


I agree triplex... The Isle openings are real tight. 6 foot would allow 30" Radius. I have passenger cars that I wanted to run and I always wanted a challenger or a big boy.. Or even the new MTH tripplex... I know you seen that one... With five foot bench I may be able to get 25-28 radius... I think you may be right though... I am still working on the plan and this is why I am posting... I would like alot of input as I wan't this layout to be the one I work on for a long time to come... I had my heart set on a plan I saw on the internet "PRR Schulykill Division" which was modified from an original plan by myowngod and I moved things around a bit and even went 2 foot longer and sacrificed more of my basement but is still a tight fit. If you search YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. for videos my user Myowngod2 YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. you would know why I would love to make a layout like this. Here is the plan the myowngod was nice enough to lend out..and I dodified a bit by moving the center Isle up... Dang thing is still to big!!!
 

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pgandw

Active Member
I think you still have major access problems. Even with the access hole, you still have over a 3ft reach in the top left corner. All the corners and the base of the peninsula have places that require reaches of 3-4.5 ft. It simply can't be done unless you are superhuman or have a gantry ladder that lets you get over the layout.

As a design guideline, even 2 2ft deep shelves meeting at an inside 90 degree corner have a reach of over 34 inches into the corner.

My thoughts, your choices
 

TrainJunkee

New Member
I think you still have major access problems. Even with the access hole, you still have over a 3ft reach in the top left corner. All the corners and the base of the peninsula have places that require reaches of 3-4.5 ft. It simply can't be done unless you are superhuman or have a gantry ladder that lets you get over the layout.

As a design guideline, even 2 2ft deep shelves meeting at an inside 90 degree corner have a reach of over 34 inches into the corner.

My thoughts, your choices



sign1Do they make a gantry ladder??? Gotta get me one of those:thumb:... I have thought about that being an issue... The top left corner on the left side of the layout there is no wall so the left side of the layout is open...like a pennisula... Plus most of the layout is open grid and the parts that are not in view are not going to have any scenery so you will be able to reach thru the side of the sub-roadbed in case I get a derailment..Don't stop with the suggesions I want this to be well thought out and thats what you are all making me do... I appreciate the feedback:thumb:
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 170#. Until I turn 40 I had a 29 inch waist, now it is 34 inches. I mention this because 21 inch wide aisle widths wuld be a tight squeeze for me.

#2- if your layout has an open grid enabling you to reach thru the sub roadbed to rerail a train, you might have to crawl under the layout and pick up the trains off the floor and sort through the damage to see what is still salvageable, before you rerail the trains.
 

TrainJunkee

New Member
I'm 6 feet tall and weigh 170#. Until I turn 40 I had a 29 inch waist, now it is 34 inches. I mention this because 21 inch wide aisle widths wuld be a tight squeeze for me.

#2- if your layout has an open grid enabling you to reach thru the sub roadbed to rerail a train, you might have to crawl under the layout and pick up the trains off the floor and sort through the damage to see what is still salvageable, before you rerail the trains.


It is just the opening and I was concerned as well. so I moved 2 table together with a space of 21 inches... I fit thru without turning sideway.. and I have you beat! I turn 40 in sept. im 5'11" 190lb and a 36 waiste:cry:. As for #2 I hadnt thought thru the crashing to the floor issue... Looks like I will have to ponder this for a while.. Maybe 1-2 inch gaurd rails would keep it on the bench :?
 

Russ Bellinis

Active Member
In addition to body clearance for those narrow spots in the aisle, you need to keep in mind the possibility of your elbows accidentally breaking scenery that is near the edge of those narrow spots.
 
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