Novice needs first build advice please

[justintime]

I've got to say, to date my best decision has been joining this forum, everyone is so friendly and helpful so a big thank you from me. 

Is there a minimum radius I should not exceed if running anything from a Shunter to a Deltic for example?

[scotsoft]

The small shunters will go round a six inch radius with no problems, the bigger locos and coaches will require bigger radii otherwise - derailment.

When you buy a loco or coach the manufacturer will generally state a minimum radius.

What you will probably be advised from our members, is to have the biggest radius you can fit onto your baseboard.

It will all depend on what you are going to run as to what you can get away with.

Decisions, decisions, decisions  :'(

cheers John.

[justintime]

The small shunters will go round a six inch radius with no problems, the bigger locos and coaches will require bigger radii otherwise - derailment.

When you buy a loco or coach the manufacturer will generally state a minimum radius.

What you will probably be advised from our members, is to have the biggest radius you can fit onto your baseboard.

It will all depend on what you are going to run as to what you can get away with.

Decisions, decisions, decisions  :'(

cheers John.

Thanks John.  Decisions indeed, there's a lot more to modelling than meets the eye and you guys make it look so easy.  At least it will keep me from under the wifes feet

[Sprintex]

On the subject of layout planning software you could also try the free-download version of Anyrail. Very easy to get started with and contains all major track-libraries You're limited to 50 track pieces on the free version but if that's not enough either buy the full version or do what I did - plan the layout in two halves and be a cheapskate!


Paul

[daveg]

Hi

I'd endorse using the AnyRail program. For me it was a lot easier to get to grips with than SCARM but that's probably me not being the cleverest of PC users!

Do watch out for your curves. Diesel locos can usually cope with a much tighter curve than the larger steamers that may derail on anything tighter than c11" radius. Try and check the limitations/recommendations of a loco before you spend a fair bit on adding it to your collection.

I'd also suggest you do think about scenics before you lay track. It can look a lot more realistic having the track going through scenery rather than 'over' it and so looking a bit like an afterthought.

Good luck with the plan. As it's been said many times to many N Gaugers, it's your layout so do what you enjoy.

Keep us posted and let's have some pics too, if you can.

Dave G

[Sprintex]

Is this the sort of thing or have I made it too complicated?

Not so much over-complicated, more over-optimistic about what you can fit in the space you stated as 1800mm x 750mm 

To give you an idea of the restrictions you have on space I had a little play in Anyrail. I tried to stick to your original plan as much as possible but taking into account basic rules like minimum 2nd rad curves, not using short points on mainlines (too unrealistic), etc. There are other 'rules' I haven't stuck to like avoiding facing crossovers as this will further restrict operation and is only really relevant if you're modelling steam era - modern lines with electronic-interlocking have largely made this practice obsolete as can be seen on most mainlines these days 

So, onto the plans!

The first is sticking with the island-platform idea:-


Next is the same but with more-conventional separate platforms, although one ends up a bit shorter than the other:-


And finally to demonstrate what Edwin_m mentioned on Page 1 about curving the bottom tracks for more realism:-


No doubt others will see many faults with these plans, I'm no expert on railway-practice and don't profess to be, just hope it helps in some way Best really to download it yourself and have a play 


Paul

[justintime]

Wow thank you Paul, thats very kind of you to go to all that trouble.  I was thinking that I may have to expand the baseboard size to 7'x 3' to give me a bit more room so I will work on that size from now on.  Did you save the designs you made?  If so I was wondering if you would be kind enough to email them to me, so I can have a play with them too?

[Sprintex]

E-mail sent 


Paul

[justintime]

Email received thanks Paul. 

[Caz]

Thanks Paul for taking the trouble to help out a new member,  that's what this forum is all about, mutual help and assistance as and when needed, Justintime you've now got a good start and I'm looking forward to seeing this develop.   

[justintime]

Thanks to a lot of help from Sprintex & Co I think I may have come up with my desired Track Layout.  I have increased the size of baseboard to 7' x 3' and although it needs some tweaking (I'm still getting to grips with AnyRail) I hope the plan will work.  I think it will also give me the option of adding scenery etc. at a later date.  What do you folks think?  Any suggestion for improvement or idea's/opportunities I may have missed?
Thanks again for all the friendly advice and help I have received, it's very much appreciated, cheers, Ian.

[tim-pelican]

On the topic of adding future scenery, the platforms look fine, but do have a think about where the station buildings are going to go, and how passengers get from the station to the outside world (albeit off-scene).  I completely missed that, and I'm going to end up with a slightly cramped and credibility-stretching station as a result 

[justintime]

Good point Tim, thank you.  I could probably shorten the top two sidings and bring the connecting track further round the platform to allow for a footbridge etc. if that makes sense?

[Jack]

I think if you lose that inside loop around the lower platform you would have access to your station area for the fare paying passengers, then at a later date, if (and when  ) you build scenery it wouldn't be too difficult to either put a road crossing or bridge in.

The secret is not to tweak too much because that leads to procrastination and the world of "what if I did....."  .  We've all been there done that and ended up with a layout way bigger than we started out with. 

When the time comes you could print off your Anyrail plan in a smaller scale to help make up your points switch board, that's if you have such a thing planed.

[justintime]

Thanks for the idea and tips Jack, much appreciated.