Layout advice: 4x6 ft space

[MusicaRibelle]

I'm new here, and I'm new with 'modern' Lego trains -- my previous bout was with 4.5v circa 1988 -- and I've browsed through all layout threads and most pictures available online.

My space is 4' x 6', or 48" by 72", and I cannot really go further at the moment without moving to another home

I want to run two trains concurrently, so my starting point is two nested loops with crossover -- I plan to cut the switches as suggested in other threads.

The attached layout has also a small yard, and should have enough space "inside" for some decent city scenery, as well as a station with two lines running relatively close to each other.

Is it too boring or plain?

What else would you do with this space?

[MusicaRibelle]

Another option is to reduce the size of the inner loop, and add extra 'half loop' to the outer line, which would allow a third train to be parked there.

Does that leave too little space for scenery and buildings?

It looks better for train "playability" but worse to grow the whole piece into a more interesting and life-like diorama.

What do you think?

PS: I'm only using PF trains.

[cimddwc]

Does that leave too little space for scenery and buildings?

Well, that depends on what train/city balance you'd want...

If (in your second image) you use modified switches (as offered by Bluebrick) on the sides for the half loop, i.e. cut them such that they allow for a clean quarter-circle away from the main track, you get a nicer look and can also fit a single siding in the gap (though not with a lot of space around it), so you might remove the one inside and have more city space, like this:

[Breakdown]

I'm kind of a junkie for stupidity, so I'll throw it out there . . .

If you're going to go small and you have a pair of transformers, you could do a two tiered setup and scale your little lego village to match, where you have the one more simple oval track running on rooftops, etc, and the other running a more complicated ground circuit.

I'm going to be adding a double-cloverleaf to my circuit (or at least that's my plan), I think that it looks sexy in videos, but doesn't really serve well in the whole functionality of a running railroad. Then again if you want my opinion (unless you're a lego man with a physical handicap, on a 4 X 6' surface you wouldn't really be using a train to do anything.

[MusicaRibelle]

Thanks for the suggestions.

cimddwc, your changes are exactly what I was looking for and could not see by myself. Great.

Once I have something more finished than raw plywood and half track parts, I will send pictures :)

[zephyr1934]

Even a simple circle can be fantastic if you detail it nicely (of course you should also either use a short train or an "infinite train" in this case). Depending on your interests, you could make a two or three tier layout, e.g., a mountain tunnel on the bottom, "ground level" in the middle and a smaller elevated loop up top. If you are more into running trains than the scenery, you might be able to run a loop of track on the floor around the perimeter of a room (that's what I've done). Or have a small permanent layout and a much larger set of track for a layout that only comes out when you want to run and goes away before you have company over.

[Adamskii]

Hi just consider how much overhang the nose of some trains have - the Horizon Express for example can clip things outside the rails some distance. Especially 2 going in opposite directions. Also I see you dabbled in 4.5 volt back in the day but you said you have ,modern kit now, does that mean power functions not electrified track?

Adam

[MusicaRibelle]

yes, i'm using power functions motors and controls, not 9v.

The Horizon indeed needs space around the curves, so i'll pay extra attention when laying down tracks and do several test runs.

First video : http://sdrv.ms/Lr8XPX

I'm waiting for more tracks to arrive, and then i'll have to decide which buildings and scenery i want, it's going to be a long project.