Hi guys,

I'm now 14 months in to the hobby and my first layout is roughly 80% done. Just a few trees, lights and painting of structures to do.

However during the past 14 months I've learned a lot and I am now pained by the design mistakes that I've made.

I have figured out things that I wish to have and to do:

- Continuous mainline trafic on a folded dog bone. Half visible, half in a shadow station

- Branch line freight trafic. Lot of industries along a branch line that is mostly independent of the main line

- No inclines/declines on visible part of the layout

- Maximise visible track

- Better overall construction quality

- Wiring taken into account in the design

- Two train drivers at the same time, one person on the branch line, one on the main line

- Industries spread out the entire layout, so you need to actually drive the branch line from point to point

I have a limited space of 310 x 118 cm. This means I need to use R1. I've had no troubes with R1 so far, so it is ok for me.

During the past month I've been trying to fit all my requirements on the space I have and here's a plan.

What do you guys think?




BR,
Eino

The dog-bone format is indeed the best!
BUT... in your case I would consider making the main line single-tracked, with a return-loop in each end (thus still a dog-bone).
The ramp going up and down to the shadow-station can have a siding for crossing trains.
The shadow-station can then have MANY more sidings (some of them blind of course).

It's nice, and if you like it, that's what is important. I would put a station in the center on the triple diagonal.

That is why I am saying that the ramp could hold a siding!

Hi,

this is an excelent idea and will remove some of the issues related on main line being occupied while doing yard switching. However if I decide to do the +1-2 incline to the industry area b ehind the yard, then this turnout can't be addded...

But that's something I need to ponder with.

-Eino

I will definitely do this as it also creates an additional run around track. The space I have will not make it possible to fully isolate main line from switching anyways. So it's a compromise.

Thanks!

-Eino

I like the layout and dogbone topology! I also suggest you remain with the double-track: With the adjustments discussed above, and by applying relevant blocks on the line, you can derive very intense traffic on the layout!

Maybe you should consider to have your shadow station staging tracks along the layout edge instead, according to the red ”lines” below? Yes, they could be a bit shorter, however this could be great for access purposes.

Roughly 20cm clearance in the shadow station: Very good!


So did I on my former layout "Slumburg", until I overcame my personality split by saying goodbye to the German horde a decade ago.

Your approach reminds me of a small shunting layout design discussed 8 years ago:


Kimball's above contribution is post #12 in below thread and refers to another trackplan presented the preceding post #7 of the same thread:

https://www.marklin-user...-in-H0-scale#post498242=

Edited by user 16 November 2023 18:23:47(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hey guys,

I’ve been busy constructing the new layout during january and february. Here’s a short progress video: ?si=AjXPpCWLB6GPISzw

Currently most of the wiring has been done (not shown on the video ) and it came out nice and clean with cable spirals and all devices in a nice row under the shadow station at the front end of the layout. For easy access!

51 contact tracks for Rocrail automation, which has also mostly been configured already!

-Eino