Hi everyone,

As my current Bemo HOm craftsman-style layout nears completion (which should happen by end of the year!), I'm excited to get going on the next Marklin project, where each detail doesn't take 40 hours to do from scratch!

I have a small room dedicated to the job, which measures 9.5 feet by just under 8 feet. The entry door being on the 8 foot side. The plan for the layout is to build something genuinely fun and interesting, with multiple trains running continuously. Less about shunting, more about action for kids and visitors while I enjoy trains on parade and spend my time on scenery. Other requirements:

- A visible station with 2+ train storage.
- A few storage tracks for 5-6 x 27 cm passenger car sets with loco. (shattenbahnhof is fine for this as there isn't much room above-table)
- Some sort of elevation, ideally a bridge or two and some mountain tunnels
- Ideally two independant circuits, but I'm open to one very long one with signalling
- Simple construction from a woodworking point of view, I want to get trains up and running asap
- C track with Digital control. maybe one stray loop for analogue to run vintage locos
- Adding working accesories like cranes is a plus

I found the following plan in a random book I had, which critically fits the space and and offers a long-ish passenger station. (and can work around a small wall obstacle I have as well) However I feel there is both some hiccups and room for improvement as follows:

- It needs conversion to C track, any layout experts want to take a crack? I'd owe you a few beers!
- This is a good thing, but I can go a little bigger if needed to accomodate C track
- I have a hard time diciphering the main line. Looks like two independent oval circuits can be done, but there is the big parade track? It doesn't seem very logical, but the size and features do check a lot of my requirements off, I just can't wrap my head around how this track plan would work in operation?
- an exit down to hidden storage tracks should be easy enough, I can forgo sidings and shunting for this.

Thoughts on the plan and edits? Thanks in advance! For this one I'll start a proper thread with regular updates and images...

EXACTLY why the plan made no sense to me- why would you intersect the two loops? My thoughts for alterations were as follows:

- Leave the inner "yard" loop in place
- Same effect for the "middle" direct loop (center station track and corresponding loop)
- Then I can take the bridge line and make it a reverse loop with switch where I have the word "chimney" below. When the train passes the station instead of joining the middle loop it goes down to the hidden station where there is another reverse loop alongside storage.

This enables 3 circuits, and if I get the signalling right 4 train operation with comfort. Also eliminates most potential tunnel problems. See attached for visual logic



(I found the cars in the rear odd as they aren't on the plan, but I'm just working without that off the paper plan for now)

How about this concept?


Two separate lines (1 continuous and 1 x dogbone).
Loooooong bridge.
Each train station track holds one loco plus six 27 cm coaches.
Cityscape separated from landscape (since station area is always stealing the show).
Easements galore to flatter coaches.
Arrangement of lower tracks marked in red could be adapted to have a coiled shadow station extending below the entire landscape section; further passing sidings could be coiled around the hidden two stacked reverse loops.
All turnouts easily to be reached.
Chimney indent accommodated.

Look with hidden track


Track list

So great seeing you in NY!

I LOVE it! how big is this concept? My size is limited to 285cm (288 wall to wall) x ~233cm

The door should not be an issue with this track placement, which is great!

Now reduced to 282 x 233 cm.
:o)

I played around with the landscape, lifting the lower line out of obscurity and introducing a river valley. Further, I elaborated on the yard under the long bridge next to the station area.Regarding the upper left corner, I do not know how the ascending and descending track separated by the retaining wall will look like? Then the altitude of the "blops" is to be adjusted to minimize the slope of the ramp leaving the station on the right hand side.

Chimney considered & aisle width maintained: 283.7 x 233.1 cm