Will Hay

I see. Effectively, as I show them, my crossovers are pointless, aren't they? Although, having said that, my colour coding isn't strictly correct. Historically I tend to run five tracks as four or, in this case, four tracks as three. This is clearer on my very first, L shape proposal. As I'm not automated points at this time, doing it this way means each locomotive crosses a point at two occasions and adds some curvature to the travel, rather than just traversing a standard loop. The diamond set up looks very nice, though.

Oh, and as far as the outer, four loops; blue is clockwise and green is anti-clockwise, or vice-versa.

Not sure what you mean by squashing up the crossovers adjacent to the sidings I'm afraid. When I added the trio of sheds I did think of running a line from the [middle bottom] sidings through one of the sheds, I might have a play with that now.

Perfect, Zomboid, thanks. I know you don't like the redundant track at the bottom, I've tidied it up [partly based on your thinking and do now like the diamond formation front, and to a far lesser extent, at the back] but I do I prefer an entry and egress point, even if that does include some reversing.

Firstly, sincere thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. I'm sure these questions have been asked millions of times and whilst instinct tells me I've taken up far too much of your time and expertise, your support has been invaluable. The image shown is pretty much what I intend to run with. Very different to that I came with and it's genuinely exciting to see what I've now added, thanks to you all. I've added a means to run trains from the three engine sheds I have, shown inner right, directly to any of the three, inner platforms. This is pretty exciting to be honest. This is a huge improvement to my previous trio of engine sheds which really, if I'm honest and as they exited onto R1 track, were only or show. I've also added a means to load and unload all kinds of wagons and ballast I have ready. I haven't shown a turntable as I just don't like them, but unless I'm mistaken I can enter this [fiddle?] area from four separate points on the inner R2 track and pick up and drop off [hopefully, unless I'm missing something!] I'm going to leave the inner left section clear for both removable access and some car parking, booking hall etc. So, again, sincere thanks and if you do see any tweaks that would help without a huge change and still have the energy to contribute I've be eternally grateful. With thanks, Rob [Will Hay]

Thank you. I've what I need as far as stations and loops, that you see on the inner right was my interpretation of a holding area that I could perhaps store stock and locomotives not running at any one time. I can see that's it not easily accessible, nor easy to navigate without a lot of messing around. I also have work to do bottom left which ifeally/would make sense/should be accessible from the inner left loops. The trouble there is that's where my removable hatch is, and I'm reluctant to add too much there given that it'll constantly be removed. Ah, well. At the very least, I'm settled on the square donut as I call it and today I insulated the 'layout' area of the loft. Tomorrow my boy and I will insulate the storage loft area and, if I could find a reasonably priced source of 9mm birch ply and 45x20-ish PSE, I'd be able to order sufficient materials for my baseboard. Experience so far tells me that timber suppliers are either closed, out of stock or profiteering. I'm on annual leave next week and hoped to get this built the early part of next week.

If you're referring to the PSU then I've already upgraded to [what I think is?] the 4amp, i.e. the one that comes packaged with the 'Elite', and hence why I can run eight locomotives at once without issue.

Work to date shown below, which I'm somewhat pleased with. The problem, as I'm new to this, is that I don't understand the potential of what I can build and ultimately engage with, and the functions I can achieve to prevent me from getting bored of a number of trains going around and around [i.e. my initial plan]. I think, based on the excellent contributions by all of you, I want four elements... The first necessarily is obviously the loops, which you'll see I've achieved, with the forums excellent advice. The second aspect is the stations, thanks to Chimer, although I'm not happy with the curves and for some reason couldn't match the uniformity shown by Chimer. I want to add some thing to do on the inner right, based on Chimer's design but unsure what functions I'll carry out here and not sure what the centre piece is [station?]. The fourth is something [shown as a work in progress, bottom left] I want to engage with, which I hoped could utilise my three engine sheds in some way but, as you will see, I'm struggling here.

A fine idea, but the cost to develop the storage space to the level of the layout space is not something I can invest in, I'm afraid. I've decided to proceed with your idea of the square, it's clearly the best option [so thanks to you and all] but reduce it slightly so it doesn't impede the access hatch. This way I can still access the storage without affecting the layout and will have a removable section in the layout for the ladder [shown in red]. I'm working on the layout as I type, but I'm struggling to incorporate Chimer's upper section of multiple stations. Goodness only knows how I'll get on with the lower, 'industrial' aspect

Bravo, very nice. The lower element is hugely beneficial to my current thinking.

I'm sold on the square donut now, Zomboid, thanks for the input I just need to know research what and how to add further interest rather than just my 'round and round'.

Hello again. Apologies, I may not have understood your layout correctly. I naively thought you'd extended the track around the back of the hatch, when clearly you're showing it running over part of the opening, with some form of removable section. I like that, I like it a lot but I'd be interested to learn how to properly and securely connect each track when the board/removable section is constantly being removed, do I simply remove the board and the track [from the removable board] before I decant from the loft each time, and drop in the board and reconnect the track sections when I return to the layout? FUnit. Thanks for the advice re. insulating, yes, I probably will although doubt I need to consider the law when utilise an existing space within my home. The problem at the minute is it's getting super-hot up there, and I assumed, perhaps somewhat naively [again], that insulating the rafters would exacerbate the problem by maintaining the heat in the uppermost/loft section of the house. I'm considering a velux type window, for ventilation. All, I'm now heavily leaning against the full perimeter track and assorted sheds/shunting aspects within it, the latter of which I've no real clue on as to how to put together. However, it's worth bearing in mind that I'm running a [basic] Hornby select controller, my experience of CV's is absolutely zero and, as an example, my perception to date of CV's is that they automate a process I currently undertake manually, which to, pending research, seems to lessen my involvement. As always, I'm sincerely grateful for the input so far. EDIT 0705202017:46 Ah, one small drawback to the proposal from Phil... ....the left hand side of the loft, i.e. that I've never identified, is the same size as the layout I've shown. I'm working in 50% of my loft space, the balance is storage. The trouble is, the access to the loft storage isn't a case of coming up the hatch and going directly into the storage space, there's a roof truss there that means we traverse up the ladder, into what I'm going to call train space and, through the top left curve on Phil's layout, into the storage loft space. I guess, as well as a removable section over the hatch, I could add a removable section to access the second loft space.

Many thanks. Unfortunately I can't utilise that much space, it has to sit within the confines of the space required for the ladder, which h massively reduces the area. I've uploaded a similar layout. I think I'm saying towards Philip's superb advice as to mixing up tasks rather than solely round and round, I certainly have the stock and engine types to mix it up. I think I'm struggling to know how to put this aspect together, but I'll try find some examples. Raking rafters aren't an issue, I have approx 1000mm before the rake which is fine. I intend to set the board about 750mm from FFL and I won't have buildings on the outer edge. It's insulated, floor boarded and carpeted. I'm intending to ply the roof/rafters but may not insulate them as well. Thanks again.

That's absolutely superb that, Philip, that gives me plenty to think about. All the best. Rob [Will Hay]

No, I'm just showing the full layout to give me an idea of remaining space/access whilst at the same time utilising as much space as I can. Thanks Philip. I came here to say I can't get past the picture shown [now with access hatches/lids], but you make some excellent points. I think I'm limited by my imagination [I'm not limited by the technology of my time, that was Howard Stark] as I drew the large square and then just sat and looked at it blankly, trying to work out how to make it interesting. I failed, despite looking at endless track designs via google. I know I won't do this again once it's done, and really need to get it right.

I want it bigger. I have thirteen locomotives and regularly run nine at once without trouble. Fair point, but I tend to leave the points static. I like the crossover, sure, but it's never been a primary requirement to change points. Seems odd, I'm sure. Thanks Chris I'm just at the start of designing a square layout with six loops at 2700mm [9' ish] x 2000mm x [6'9 ish] complete with centre access and whilst I haven't added any points yet it just feels boring. I have the square on one monitor here and my original proposal on another with all its twists and turns and, setting aside the valid argument as to reach, there's no contest. I'm now showing the entire loft space [the square on the left being the access hatch, the red being the space the ladder needs once folded].

Ah, no, I'm not seeing how this is much different to that which I have already, with less loops, albeit slightly long straights and a hole in the middle for access.

It's in the loft, I'm just maximising space. If I go 2' 6" wide how many loops is that? I like to see this stuff moving. I've not much interest in much else Thanks. Edit. Ah, a four sided square, I see. Yes, that's a possibility, not sure why I didn't think of that. I like it.

Many thanks all. Yes, I'm aware of birch ply coming in 8' x 4' sheets, I just want to maximise every inch. I already have a five loop 8' x 4' layout that started as a two loop layout, currently and temporarily sat on the playroom floor, following a Hornby trackmat pattern I started between Christmas and New Year, this is just a further development. My scenery will be limited to a custom painted board by my [creative] wife for now, with assorted buildings, platforms and figures/cars etc. Edit 06052020 07:33 The access restrictions of the 1400mm width is beginning to dawn on me

Hello. I've created a layout for my loft and would be grateful if people could have a glance and offer some feedback? I don't intend to motorise track points right now as that's somewhat beyond my immediate level of expertise, so I'm simply going to run the locomotives clockwise and anti-clockwise [green and blue], and tootle up and down the orange as and when. Obviously there are a number of gaps shown that I intend to fill with the small, Hornby 38mm track lengths. I guess this might seem somewhat unorthodox [four/five tracks side by side] but I'm not looking to replicate any level of accuracy. The thinking shown suits me, as does the mix of diesels [eight], shunters [two] and steam [three], plus assorted, decorative locomotives. I'm also aware of significantly restricted access to the far side but I'm reluctant to add an access hole. My intent is simply set them all off and control them as and when they go around. Sincere thanks, Will Buggleskelly Station Notes: 1. Hornby 00 2. DCC