Idea for rebuild.

Not sure if it was doom or a blessing in disguise.

I had to take the original Chawton layout down (just as well it was a work in progress) because one of the offspring decided to return to the nest for a short stay. Anyway, I gave it some thought and came up with this plan for the next layout.




This will be set up in a small room roughly 8' x 5'. Not being that familiar with the electronics side of things. Before I go any further with the build, my first question is "is it do able" will it work? Although I have got the plan of a 'L' shape, I have the option of extending to putting an extension on the left.

I would be grateful for any advice from anyone.

G'day Ron,

Is there more of the plan that isn't showing on the thread ? I'm just curious where you will place the station platform, that is if you are planning on one. I notice that on the far right there does not seem to be enough room to run a loco around the loop at the top right hand corner.

Cheers, Gary.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for addressing the run around loop, That I plan to add on to the extention on the right side of the layout. I plan to reduce the track down to two for the run around, I hope that will work and allow room to fit in scenery, buildings etc. My major problem is space really. Having said that I am open to suggestions from the more experienced members.

 

Have you got a reason for the railways existence? By that I mean do the various sidings have a purpose? Engine shed, cattle dock, mileage yard, platform, etc.

Is the far left hand side board a fiddle yard or a station?

I think extending to the right is going to be a good idea if you can get the space.

Do you have any thoughts on what rolling stock you might like to use?

Questions rather than answers I'm afraid but I find it helps to think about these things.

Hi Ron,i notice you're modelling OO,have you thought about going all round the room and having a duck under or a liftable flap?.

Hi Marty,

Thanks for your reply, it's given some other things to think about and ideas too. In answer to the your questions:

As I have a passion for shunting around the goods yard, the board at the top will have the cattle pen, goods shed, areas for coal and water replen etc.

Is the far left hand side board a fiddle yard or a station?

The plan is for the left hand side to be the fiddle yard.

I think extending to the right is going to be a good idea if you can get the space.

If (when I extend on the right hand side this will give approx another 7' to put a station in. I may take up Spurno's suggestion of an around the room layout, not decided yet?

Do you have any thoughts on what rolling stock you might like to use?

I do have 5 engines for shunting 0-6-0 (heavy etc) numerious goods/cargo wagons, 2 city class loco's with carriages and a Flying Scotsman (bought for me as a gift some years ago) with carriages.

So a lot to be going on with. as said before any ideas and advice is always most welcome.

Thanks

Barney

 

Hi Alan

Thanks for your suggestion about the around the room layout, something I had'nt thought about myself (not looking at the bigger picture). It is certainly worth considering. I could put a station, more food for thought. I can feel a headache coming on with all this thinking I'll be doing.

Thanks again

Ron

 

If you do decide on 'running around the walls', two walls could be used as station and fiddle yard on the wide base boards (as you have now), whereas the rest of the layout shelf would only need to be a few inches wide to run either a single or double line on, which also cuts down on the amount of scenery needed !

Cheers, Gary.

Hi Gary

The around the room layout is becoming more of a possibility the more I think about and the more ideas I get from your good self and others. I'll have to re-jig the top board to get the bend in for the right hand side. I think a double line around with buildings and scenery on the right.

Sorted (as my grandson would say)

Cheers.

Having scrubed the the plan I had before, I've come up with this idea (thanks to some advice and ideas from Gary, Marty and Spurno). Here we have Chawton Revisited (probably think of a better name in time). As I have steam loco's with the odd couple of diesel, and rolling stock etc from the GWR and southern regions. I thought I'd base it (in my minds eye) around the Hampshire/Dorset/Berkshire area, gives me more scope.

I'm always open for suggestions on tweaking the layout or even a name change.



Right onwards and upwards, the train room is upstairs.

G'day Ron,

Just looked over your plan. I notice that you have a run around loop right on the station. If a train has to exit the yard (top of your plan) it needs to travel down the inside line (down line) to gain access to the outside line (up line), or travel down the very inner connecting loop to the station dock/siding. This would be the same for a train travelling the up (outside), it would need to reverse across the loop and up the down (if that makes any sense !) I would also suggest a shunting spur off the entrance to the yard at top of plan, between the inner loop and the down line.




What I have proposed above is to install a crossing from the down to the up using curved points (non facing) and a short (or longer) shunting spur to allow shunting the yard without running onto the down line. The curved point set up will allow you to take a train out of the yard without running too far back down to the loop/cross over at the station. I used Anyrail for this using Peco Set Track and is not to scale, but probably close enough to your original.

Question: What programme did you design your track plan with ?

Cheers, Gary.

 

Hi Ron,glad you decided to use the whole room.I hope you didn't have too much trouble getting permission from SWMBO.

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your reply and your idea for the layout. Thats why I like to get others to look at the layout to spot something I have missed, or as you have kindly done come up with a suggestion to improve things. Thanks, I'll adopt your suggestion and re-jig the layout. On with the project.

As for the plan I used the trial version of 'Anyrail'. I find it user friendly.

Ssshhhh Spurno, not so loud mate, I have'nt told SWMBO yet! I'm sure she'll come around to the idea, in time. Oh well, it's only the depth that changes! Need to get some more wood and ply to build the extra board. Wickes or B&Q, time to look up who's cheapest. (Well I am only a low paid Civil Servant) 

Find a local timber merchant if you can. They should be cheaper.

Good thinking Marty, got a timber merchant not too far from me. Might even look at some other means of sourcing the timber (legally of course).

Yes, Yes got a result! SWMBO has given the go ahead for the around the room layout. she even cleared out a cupboard for me to put some of my models etc in. Anyway, better crack on lots to do, another baseboard to bulid.

That's lovely news Barney… I hope the price isn't too dear!

So do I Marty, so do I. Even after 40 years of marriage I still never know what she will come out with next.

[user=1188]Barneybuffer[/user] wrote:

Yes, Yes got a result! SWMBO has given the go ahead for the around the room layout. she even cleared out a cupboard for me to put some of my models etc in. Anyway, better crack on lots to do, another baseboard to bulid.

:doublethumb  That's going to cost you a meal and a bunch of flowers.She's probably glad to get you out from under her feet like most SWMBO's. Great result Ron.Enjoy your room.