I am designing a new layout and thought I would put it up for constructive criticism!  The design was done on RR-Track v.3.02 software, using Atlas O track.  I am still really at the fooling around stage since I have no idea when I would be able to start on it.

Goals:

I had the following goals for a new layout:

Run two trains at once on a double tracked main.
Have at least one reversing loop
One 072 loop
054 Minimum curve
Have enough sidings and yards to keep a switcher busy at the same time
Engine servicing facility featuring:
        IHC two stall enginehouse
        Plasticville Coaling tower
        Korber sandhouse
        Walthers water tower
        Spur for work train
        Spur for Snow removal equiptment

Spurs to serve all buildings when appropriate:
        Downtown Deco Monarch Distributing
        Walthers Feed Mill
        Walthers Dairy
        Walthers Oil Company
        Lionel Grain Elevator
        Lionel Freight Platform
        Korber Acme Die
        Korber Soregum Candy
        Korber JLC Manufacuring
        Korber grain elevator
Space for:
        MTH Sinclair Station
        MTH Car Wash
        MTH Firehouse
        MTH Diner
        Downtown deco Union Hall
        Walthers Toy Shoppe
        Atlas O Station
        Atlas O tower
        Korber tower (2)
        MTH farmhouse
        K-line "L" shaped ranch
        Plasticville Rural Two story house
        Buildings unlimited house
Most of these are from my old layout but some are new.

I also wanted to make a staging yard using track and switches salvaged from my old layout.

This is what I came up with.  It is 16' by 11', although the main body is 16' by 8'.  It will be constructed so it could be moved fairly easily.  I plan on building it on two 4'x7' tables and two 4' by 8' tables.  The extension and wye at the bottom leads to the staging yard.  If you want to see it without the buildings (just the track plan) click here.

I decided on tabletop construction because it will go up quicker.  Also, with all the problems the steep grades of my last layout, I decided to avoid grades altogether.

Along the entire length of the layout I have placed tall buildings (like the Korber grain elevator) and trees to act as a viewblock.  This should make the layout seem larger as it prevents one from viewing the whole thing in one spot.

To make this drawing I made lots of buildings that were not available in RR-Track accessory files.  (Basically all buildings listed above except the Lionel and MTH buildings.)  If you have RR-Track and would like to use them click here to download the file (8 K).  These drawings should be pretty accurate as far as footprint goes.  Thanks to Mark Kunde for giving me dimensions for the enginehouse!
 

If you would like to download the entire layout file click here (25 K)

To contact me email hi_railer@yahoo.com.  Let me know what you think of my design!

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Last updated: April 27, 1999

Changes: Added labels to RR-track building file
Updated Layout images and file