Carey, Congratulations on becoming a home owner! You have already conquered one of the greatest challenges to building a layout...biting off more than you can chew! Don't worry about building a huge layout...focus on building a well thought out one and executing it well. A couple of thoughts: 1) Avoid duck unders at all cost..you'll come to hate 'em; hinged lift sections are better but still a pain 2) Pick a time period for the layout and stick with it. It will greatly reduce the desire to 'buy everything new that comes along'. 3) Pick a prototype to model or pick a couple that you like that you can use for inspiration. I found that even the little mountain railroad I model (the BC&G) offers more unique modeling opportunities than I could ever have thought up myself. 4) Design the layout for operation...that is, provide plenty of switching opportunities, passing tracks and at least a little staging. Even if you're not "into" operations now, once the layout is far enough along it wil l add a whole new dimension to the hobby. 5) Keep it simple. For example, on a layout the size of yours you can likely use manual ground throws (much cheaper and more reliable) in most places. Avoid hidden track and never put a turnout in a tunnel. That will be the one that fails! 6) Photograph your progress. It's wonderful motivation to go back and look at what you've accomplished...and invariably folks will ask "how did you build it". Showing 'em pictures is very informative. And you can share your progress with other on this site or in the DISPATCH or other magazines. 7) Remember RULE #1 - It's your railroad so have fun with it! 'Can't wait to hear how you do! Brooks Stover
--- In [email protected], Carey Probst <s-scale@...> wrote: > > We have decided not to move from the rented house but to buy it and expand. > > This gives me the perfect opportunity for a reasonable layout space > attached to what will be my office/workshop area. > > Cleaner tools like the drill press and scroll saw will be in the shop > while larger tools like the band saw, compressor and table saw will stay > in the garage since they are messy. > > Right now it looks like I will have an area about 15' x 18' for the > layout but since I am still in the design phase that can change. > > My goal is a dual gauge layout, S and Sn3 with an interchange yard > similar to the Mount Union yard for the EBT. > > It will be an around the wall design with a peninsula or 2 and walk in > of some type. I haven't decided if I want to have a lift gate or just > an opening which would preclude having a large circle of track. > > I would appreciate any comments or suggestions as to size or design. I > don't want to be too ambitious because I would like to get it into > decent shape before, well you know. > > Thanks in advance > > Carey Probst > Pennsyltucky RR > Chief Microferroequineologist > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
