Background
My first ever layout.
I have only built some test/dioramas to get started with modelling, but I think I am multi-skilled and can do this layout build.

My layout will be loosely based on the Château-d'Oex train station in Switzerland because I bought a kit for it when I was a beginner with no real planning. I was so eager to start, it looked good and it wasn't too big for my available space.

A mostly rural/alpine scene throughout, with a small town scene.

I have only 1200 x 600mm available space - a bit less when considering how close the track is to the edges. It will be built in Z-scale (1:220)

Scenery features I want

• A river (-50mm below the track level)
  
• A mountain scene with winding road and chalet (approx 80mm high)
  
• A tunnel under the mountain (50mm high)
  
• A train station and accompanying small town scene
  
• A farm scene, farm house, paddock, and 1 or 2 stables
  
• Severals roads, one of which will cross the tracks
  
• Bridges, some bought, others scratch built

Scenery will be below and above the track height (to resemble the real world)

Train features I want

• Running trains continuously
  
• Max train length is 600mm; that is a diesel locomotive + 4 passenger cars (need some amount of length to qualify as a train :). This is also my calculated max train length to shunt off into spurs.
  
• Working catenary throughout
  
• As its a boring double loop (due to space constraints), the train will automatically switch between inner and outer loop to add a bit more interest. Works in both directions, so the switching mechanism is roughly placed midway between points and considering the overall max train length
  
• Inner and outer loop will be their own electrical section, so to control one or both trains at once. I could even have two trains running simultanousely, one on the inner and another on the outer loop.
  
• Some switching action via 3 spurs to handle the max train length sans locomotive. The spurs will be the 3rd electrical section so I can switch cars whilst having running trains on the loops.
  
• Train detection when entering station area to slow it gradually
  
• Decouplers in the spurs and also one in the outer loop
  
• Signalling. Still working this out!

Modelling
Most buildings will be kits, however I will need to do some scratch building as follows:

The hotel next to the train station - as per the prototype (major challenge)
The locomotive house - almost like the prototype with concrete base, and wooden sides with window panes (medium challenge)
Some bridges (will use toothpicks/matchsticks - minor challenge) and culverts (pre-fabricated styrene tubes - again a minor challenge)

What I have already built
Baseboard with support beams for wiring (though this will need some modifications for the river bed that will be 50mm lower than the track)
A frame to hold either old bed sheets or some form of sturdy, yet light weight clear plastic to minimise dust accumulating on the layout (I live in a very dusty area)




Design

The river starts in the mountains (green area), through culverts under roads and then forms a river that goes under arched bridges


Roads. Right-hand side meanders up the mountain. Several elevation changes. Large area is for the station parking, small area for hotel parking.


Buildings. Farm area beside river and going up the hills. On the right, a Chalet over the tunnel. Top-left, some houses to make a small town scene.


Track. Block sections coloured in green/blue/pink. Catenary mast position mock-up.The right semi-circle will be a tunnel.


Loco and passengers cars superimposed to get a sense if the longest train will fit

Conclusion
How am I doing ?

Any obvious issues ?

This there too much to fit into the space, without enough neutral space (paddocks, grassland, road, carparks etc...) to make it look realistic ?

Suggestions for improvements ?

Edited by user 23 June 2023 00:20:31(UTC)  | Reason: Added missing mountain area

to brake the monotony of a double loop have a hidden track operated by signals so your train will enter and a different train will emerge automatic this will allow you to spend time waiting for trains to arrive at station with this hidden section you can add you fields that you desire all the best hess

Splendid idea. I have a tunnel on the right semi-circle of track (which wasn't so obvious in the first images I posted). I could add some block sections in there, my longest train (600mm) should fit inside the tunnel.

My personal experience it that Z gauge lends itself to long trains, long runs & interesting scenery.

Think very carefully about shunting. Maybe set up the layout on a flat board with electrics.

The electrics can simply be copied to final scenery design.

If you are happy with 2 simple loops, then build the scenery.

Hi Manga,

I like the way you have gone about thinking about your design.

One thing that I am not too keen on is straight tracks running parallel to the baseboard edge - I know it can't be avoided sometimes - but if you could offset the baseboard at even a slight angle, that would help. An alternative, could be to have an extra shaped (say a curve) scenery module that is just temporarily clamped to the main baseboard during running/photographing sessions.

I wouldn't be put off from shunting in Z. The new locos with the brushless motors have excellent slow-motion control, especially if you use better controllers than the Märklin ones. I don't like the automatic uncouplers and just use a pointy device (a tooth pick will do) - but I have seen plenty of bigger scale, exhibition layouts that employ "the hand of God" approach as well.

Carim

p.s. if you are planning long tunnels, make sure you have some way of accessing the tracks in them - sods' law says this is where derailments will happen

You don't want to use polyurethane casting resin? It doesn't stink like epoxy resin which is all pervasive. I used a litre of it to pour the Märklin Z Gauge layout.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ILdK3omSzj8

It's all about preparation, preparation & preparation & if there is the slightest hint of not being sure, leave the pouring for another day.

I left this water pretty clear as I wanted a fresh clear water mountain look. Added a touch of blue pigment. Do a few tests first. As already said, preparation, you only get one go. So have all tools and everything at the ready, cleaning equipment, rags.





You can't actually see it, but the water has a cross section. Sealed & fastened an end plate on both ends of the river. The river bed foundation is a bit of thin plywood curved. I was trying to stretch 1 litre as I really needed a bit more. Hence the old stone bridge (I hand built) with many footings to take up volume "below water".

This is roughly what I am after.

The challenge is a deep pour epoxy resin in a stream that flows down a mountain.
I'd like some depth to add dead branches, stones etc, about 7mm deep when it starts up the mountain, then progressively getting deeper until the river forms where it would be about 20mm deep.

I was thinking of making "steps" much like cascades so the resin wouldn't all settle at the lowest level, but that would have an unnatural look to it

Here is a topology mock-up:

Maybe I could tilt the layout so that a section of the stream is level, pour the resin, wait for it to harden, then tilt so the next section of stream is level and repeat.
Would that be achievable with epoxy?
Essentailly I'll have several hardened sections making up the entire stream, each poured when the layout was tilted to make that section of the stream level ?