Hello all,
I am in the planning stages of a new and large N scale layout and would welcome any advice offered since I haven't built such a layout before!
My current plans are to use my revamped childhood layout as an end loop module and connect it via a large bridge module to a large station, set somewhere in western Austria (the Tirol region) and fairly close to the Swiss border to allow ÖBB or SBB trains to look at home. My determination to run *almost* scale length trains up to and including a double-headed EuroCity service with 11 coaches means the longest platforms have to be at least ~205 cm.
The station is to have Hauptbahnhof status and serves a large town in an area with much scope for Alpine tourism and sports, in addition to typical regional industries such as sustainable logging etc. The town lies on a primary two-track mainline route with much through-traffic, passenger and freight, including international trains. The trains will be operated with DCC, track is to Peco code 55. The station does not yet have a name...but something like Wörgl springs to mind! The time period is epochs IV and V, fully electrified.
My provisional track plan is probably too ambitious and slightly longer than necessary, and is intended to be built in two halves each on a 6' x 2' board so that 12 feet is available:
Loading area 1 is for post (PTT) and adjacent supermarket deliveries.
Loading area 2 is for local industry etc. and may be changed to include a ROLA terminal.
There are seven platforms, platform 1 may be lengthened (dotted areas) for the covenience of passengers catching EuroCity class trains.
The tracks below the station are for freight trains to be held temporarily/added to/shortened, with a depot area off towards the right.
I made a to scale trackplan in XTrackCAD4, which shows a slightly older version of the plan with a different lower platform arrangement:
All well and good so far, but the project is ambitious and I'm not really sure about many things, in particular if it resembles the typical Austrian prototype at all (I am not expecting anyone else to have a clue either!) but MOST IMPORTANTLY if it will be fun to construct and operate as designed? The plan is unfinished, but there could be major flaws that those with vastly more experience than me will spot instantly and I would welcome any advice or suggestions on the design.
Thanks in advance,
Goedel
I am in the planning stages of a new and large N scale layout and would welcome any advice offered since I haven't built such a layout before!
My current plans are to use my revamped childhood layout as an end loop module and connect it via a large bridge module to a large station, set somewhere in western Austria (the Tirol region) and fairly close to the Swiss border to allow ÖBB or SBB trains to look at home. My determination to run *almost* scale length trains up to and including a double-headed EuroCity service with 11 coaches means the longest platforms have to be at least ~205 cm.
The station is to have Hauptbahnhof status and serves a large town in an area with much scope for Alpine tourism and sports, in addition to typical regional industries such as sustainable logging etc. The town lies on a primary two-track mainline route with much through-traffic, passenger and freight, including international trains. The trains will be operated with DCC, track is to Peco code 55. The station does not yet have a name...but something like Wörgl springs to mind! The time period is epochs IV and V, fully electrified.
My provisional track plan is probably too ambitious and slightly longer than necessary, and is intended to be built in two halves each on a 6' x 2' board so that 12 feet is available:

Loading area 1 is for post (PTT) and adjacent supermarket deliveries.
Loading area 2 is for local industry etc. and may be changed to include a ROLA terminal.
There are seven platforms, platform 1 may be lengthened (dotted areas) for the covenience of passengers catching EuroCity class trains.
The tracks below the station are for freight trains to be held temporarily/added to/shortened, with a depot area off towards the right.
I made a to scale trackplan in XTrackCAD4, which shows a slightly older version of the plan with a different lower platform arrangement:

All well and good so far, but the project is ambitious and I'm not really sure about many things, in particular if it resembles the typical Austrian prototype at all (I am not expecting anyone else to have a clue either!) but MOST IMPORTANTLY if it will be fun to construct and operate as designed? The plan is unfinished, but there could be major flaws that those with vastly more experience than me will spot instantly and I would welcome any advice or suggestions on the design.
Thanks in advance,
Goedel