AdamInTheAttic

Thanks for the responses again. I do believe that like most things in life it will have to be a compromise. I understand the use of a double slip is rare and a single slip is more prototypical, but for a model railway, the added benefit of the double outweighs it for me. I've ordered 3 this morning in electrofrog and shall begin building up the station area this week and weekend. I shall keep the progress of the build in my blog. Again thanks to everyone for their input. It has made my station area a lot better than my initial plan.

OK so now I think I'm getting it. My latest attempt should be about right. Now I know I have 2 double slips where there shouldn't be (on the right) but for the added functionality compared to cost I'd rather just have it. I've also got rid of the triple points, and please ignore the fact that the lines look straight, I'll be having some curvature to go with the scenery I plan.

Thanks everyone for the assistance. It's getting clearer slowly. It's certainly a mine field.

You can't see it in the photo but there is another point to allow the inner line direct access. I've now removed the slip and exchanged it for 2 points. The first the right way around (I think).

So I just need to change the two top right points around so they are not facing. The other side they are not facing. Sorry for the confusion, you can tell I'm new to this! I'm basically trying to have it similar as shown in this diagram (as space allows).

What I want is the inner circuit to be mostly goods. So in this configuration it should be able to go straight into the goods section or the left hand of the lower platform.

I see what you mean. I can move the points around so that's possible. I'll have a crack later today.

OK so I had a little of a shuffle and I've removed the dpuble slip and replaced it with 2 medium electrofrogs. The other end of the station I will likely shorten slightly and run a larger radius curve instead of the set track. At the moment I'm going to concentrate on the station area and work on each section at a time. My brain will fry otherwise

I ordered that book yesterday so hopefully that’ll help too.

Thanks Tony, I certainly like that now I can see it. I'll get in the attic tonight and see what I can do. Thanks again for all the assistance. Adam

I think your right, I am trying to cram in too much. I have a lot of rolling stock and just trying to get a decent amount of sidings / storage etc. The curves have been thoroughly tested with all loco and coach combinations and I'll keep them in place where they cannot be easily seen (tunnels etc) and I'll wait for my book to arrive before I commit to the engine depot. I take your point on the 2sidings also and will look at having them looped. Adam

Hi Tony, I think that's a good idea, on payday I'll order the crossovers, and triple points, and start tacking it down and testing with rolling stock. Then once the station area is sort of done I'll move onto the corners and engine depot. Hopefully my book on depots will arrive this week and give me some ideas. Adam

OK so I had a go again on the layout. I think this might work but please feel free to comment.

Thanks for the reply. I have a lot of track, the 3rd radius curves came in a set. I had a layout years ago and have a good understanding of the electronic side (I used to build wiring looms for scientific equipment). I have electrofrog points also. I like the idea of pinning down and testing. I have plenty of flexy track to mess around with.

OK so I've changed the station area to be similar to the berks and hants style which I really like. Certainly looks a lot more simple too. I'm not particularly imaginative with this kind of thing so I'm very grateful to the responses, I just want to get it right. I'm not modelling an exact area of Gwr, but would like to have the feel. I also appreciate constructive criticism and any other ideas on improving the layout. I have a new 28xx engine which I ran in just before I ripped it up to start again so can't wait to get it back together!

I like the berks and hants plan. I shall see if I can rearrange my drawing to accommodate.

I just had a quick go at making some changes. I have good mechanical skill but lack imagination, and have been searching online for great western examples but have been struggling for a looped layout rather than a diorama style to suit my needs. I visited Didcot last week for some inspiration, which did help but still not quite. I think my trouble is wanting too much on the limited space (albeit large space). I have kings, a 47xx, and 2 28xx locos as well as smaller ones so I enjoy long trains. Especially goods. perhaps I should have a total rethink. with regards to radius, I’m using 3rd and 4th set track, and points are Peco medium but can easily change these. thanks

Sorry to sound like a guy who knows too little, but what is a facing crossover? Is it where the points are facing an engine on the wrong side? i shall continue my track plan and see what I can do. I have ordered a book on gwr motive power depots so this should help also. thanks

Im using boards that are 60cm in depth. So they should be enough for a few lines if track and building's. I added an extra board for the engine shed / turntable area so I have 120cm depth to play with.

Hi everyone, after years of no model railways I have finally started building a large layout. I started during lockdown and have been practising running locos, trying different simple track plans etc. I’m now looking to create a permanent layout. It’s 16ft by 9ft in my garage attic. What I am struggling with is the track plan. I want (have) a turntable, coaling stage, goods shed, decent sized engine shed area, and long station for 6 coaches. It is a twin loop with a tunnel at one end (there is a huge beam on each side of the attic so thought a tunnel would make it simple). ive drawn a track plan and wanted some expert opinions. I enjoy shunting as well as watching them go around.

Yeah I've since discovered that with the 47xx the issue was the front bogie not moving enough as it got caught on the chain. I've removed the chain and it's running way better on the inside radius. I've just added an extra board to give me more depth one end so I'm having an engine shed / turntable yard. I can still reach into the back board corner.

So more track. I found that my new Hornby king class doesn't like tight radius curves and my even newer haljen 4700 is even worse so I've got 2 loops (started with one 3rd radius loop). The 4th radius loop works much better and smoother. I've also changed to peco streamline points which look much more realistic and don't cause as many derailments. I've also started building metcalfe buildings for some practise as id like to scratch build one day. I'd like to put photos up but cannot work it out.

So I started out lining my garage attic with boards. They are 1.5 ft above ground. I used attic flooring from wickes as the attic is very very dry and they were cheap. Once the basic frames and boards were put up I lined it with some track. At the moment I only have 2 loops and some sidings. I'm still working on my track plan. Where the line goes into the arch sections of the roof I'll make a removable tunnel.

Hi everyone. I just thought I should join up as I'm beginning a loft layout. 16x9ft. Mostly Gwr in oo gauge. Looking forward to giving updates and asking lots of advice. I've already got a large ish collection of engines and wagons from my childhood (I'm 37 now) and have just started some metcalfe kits to get me going. I look forward to weathering later. Anyway, thought id say hi and look forward to checking out other layouts on here. Adam