Layout thoughts

[PerRock]

I'll start off with a bit of history.

I've had an HO layout since before I can remember it started as a double helix, then later got a extension added onto it. The whole layout was geared to be kid friendly, with things like having the roads n stuff to a size for Hot wheels cars, trees made out of old sponges (neat trick works really well.) Sadly about 3 years ago I moved from a house where the layout had its own room to one where I could barely fit all my stuff in (I didn't fit everything in and made use of about half the attic) during this move I tore apart my layout; packaged up the "good" stuff tossed the well worn stuff and put it all into storage (I kept a few cars out for going to clubs, etc). Well last winter I moved again to a small house, but with my new room layout I have a space under my loft bed which I could convert into a small layout. I hadn't really been thinking of putting one in because I was trying to incorporate my old HO stuff (hence making an HO layout) but I only had room for a basic oval. To me that seems sorta boring, I really wanted more. Then last week I went out and visited chrisracer's N scale route. Once I got home I got to thinking "Hey I could do much more in N scale. And so with graph paper in hand, A beginners guide to N Scaling book, and an imagination I started cranking out ideas. Here is what I got so far:

Era: 60s Chicago
Theme: primarily passenger, with a little indust switching
Railroads: Chicago Interurban (CNS & CSS) and a long dist rwy (I'm thinking NYC)
Restrictions: "L" shaped. primary rectangle is 6'4"x4' (76"x48") with a 2'x2' (24"x24") extension. I can have 2 "hard*" levels, probably not any more.

And so I thought I would post a few different layout designs and get your feedback and thoughts on them. As I'm still creating and perfecting different ones they will appear one at a time as the become completed.

peter

PS: Once the plan gets "approved" I will probably need some help doing stuff. Details will follow at a later date.

Edit:
*hard means that there is actual wood frame work done, not just bridge-type track.

 

[PerRock]

This layout has 4 lines in it. Starting from the Terminal there is an elevated interurban line that heads to the Left and then loops around to the "extension" ending with a small terminal there. Then we have the main tracks; these have to lines that leave from there; another interurban line that heads to the left and loops back over to a terminal. The other line heads to the right and loops over and heads under the table to the staging yard. Finally just Up from the terminal a industrial switcher line comes up from the staging yard and switches across into its little area; this line also connects with the pass line heading up and underneath for more versatility. The extension I plan to have like the suburbs or country side whereas the main portion "downtown" in downtown the interurban lines are elevated. Here is the drawing:

http://www.passtrainz.net/PerRock/scan.jpg

peter

 

[Gandalf0444]

That route actually looks very cool,I must say Peter:wave:
And going N scale is a good way to go with limited space. It is very versatile in small spaces.

 

[PerRock]

I should mention that I did check the plan in a track planning Cad program and with some very small tweaking it does actually fit.

peter