Ho Model Train Layout ..... the design

Lets start this out with the grand total sum of what I have accomplished so far in my pursuit of Model Train Bliss.  Posted below is the current design for my new HO Model Train Layout...explanations below:


The Current Design

So what we have is a 2 main line setup with a branch line and a traction line, what is commonly now called "light rail".  (traction line = high voltage lines that supply railway with power for locomotives). However, the branch line (track that serves freight customers like lumber mills, coal depots, refineries etc) is shown as nothing more then the turnout into the industrial area.  The traction line isn't shown at all (see notation top left corner). Both are going to be impromptu planning, flying by the seat of you paints kind of track laying. We will talk more about them later, for now lets focus on whats down on paper.

The room is 12' x16' and this layout fills the entire space. There is a section under the turntable that will roll out of the way for access to the mechanical room, and in the bottom left section there is a lift out area 3'x6' so you can enter and exit the room.  I will mount a small winch in the ceiling that will do all the lifting for you to get in and out. Think of a typical lift bridge where the road deck goes up in the air completely horizontal high enough for ships to pass.

The grey area in the center is open space for viewing, hanging out who knows. I can envision a small fridge, a healthy stock of Jack Daniels and my new favorite Isle De Rico rum and a flat screen on the wall!

The yellow area up top will be the big city with tall buildings and bustling streets. The city will be the highest point on the layout. There will be a viaduct that takes vehicular traffic as well as the traction line down to the suburban area....that area then flows around and blends into the industrial area served by the branch line.

For now that's all I got...I monkeyed around with a few fancier plans that created all sorts of track elevations but for the size of the room all of those plans required a lot of hidden track so you could build the height needed for up and over crossovers...and it didn't allow you to just "run trains".

All of the designs I ran through were completed using a program called AnyRail...A review of that program will follow in another article.

ps....this design is no longer what I am going with a newer post shows the design I am building...I had to wrestle with room size, mandatory access to mechanicals and my want to RUN trains...thanks for reading.