8*4 layout suggestions

[AndyH]

Hi all. New to the hobby.
I currently have set up.my old and acquired set, goes around the room with loops and p2p at each end, leaving a throughfare. Currently just layed on floor on and now looking to mount on wall. Doing some research I'm rethinking the design. I think now I'm going to use a standard 8ft by 4ft board to start with across the back wall (only slight issue is across a window) and once done I could always add down the 2 sides.

I've had a quick look for free track plans , not really sure what to look for other than would need an access hole in the board to reach the back side. I have a Hornby hm2000 controller with 2 control and 2 uncontrolled inputs along with a couple old style transformers and an assortment of trans/locos and wagons, need operational interest for me and entertaining for a 6 and 12 year old.
Any suggestions/thoughts?
Tia Andy

[Brian]

Hi
I would suggest you refer to the comments I made in post #3 in this topic started by yourself re accessing items. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2951

[AndyH]

Yes thanks for that and I understand re access, I would look to cut access hole to reach the back, either as control centre or pop out

[AndyH]

I've rejigged my plans and now planning a 8ft wide by 6ft deep board, with a 2ft deep by 4ft wide hole to leave a 4ft deep board at the front which can be reached from the back via the hole with a 2ft deep going around the back.

So where to get or what are the best track plans?

[AndyH]

I've rejigged my plans and now planning a 8ft wide by 6ft deep board, with a 2ft deep by 4ft wide hole to leave a 4ft deep board at the front which can be reached from the back via the hole with a 2ft deep going around the back.

So where to get or what are the best track plans?

[Chops]

Sounds like a most exciting project. Nothing like bringing back former equipment; these things are treasure. About a jillion track plans out there. Ian Rice is classic if you want to do something with a prototypical flare, and Hornby has scores of well thought out designs.

1. Accessibility. That’s covered.
2. Are you of a mind to just watch and enjoy the trains sweeping through the landscape?
3. Or do you like to shunt, making and breaking trains?
4. Do you want your trains to, interchange, that is to say, make way for each other, requiring the operator to snap to, and adjust his speed and interval on a constant basis?

Myself, I am partial to #4. 6x8 opens a lot of real estate, and you can do a lot with those 6 foot ends. Where I chiefly got into trouble, initially, were with too many points. I was enamored that British model railroad, what with its short wheel
bases and tight radii, one could create a veritable maze of track work. That was ok to a point, but it was soon learned that some locomotives, particularly short wheel based, and vintage, electrically stall out on points at lower speeds, and if desirous of larger, longer pieces the tight curves and interfacing points sometimes tangled the drivers or more often, snagged the hook and bar couplers in a lateral fashion.

So for my limited abilities, I Like going with a double oval, transposed and intersecting with diamond crossings, with cut off points. Bridges and via ducts are visually impressive. A sweep of the line in a gentle bend, as if following a river, provides the viewer with a pleasing view of the rake.

[AndyH]

Hi Chops, thanks for the reply.
Indeed, it's an assortment of bits I have, most of the locos are mine from childhood, however, it never really got set up properly, was always just on the floor in the loft. I remember well the stalling at points, we tried making an incline, which altho was gentle gradient trains never made it up and was all manual with basic throttle control.
In the assorted bits I have a load of switches and point motors I think but not 100% on the wiring/electric yet. I have a Hornby hm2000 twin controller (2 control/2 uncontrolled inputs)

I want to be able to run/control at least 2 locos medium sized engines, at any 1 time, I'm thinking loop for continue running as well as sidings) fiddle yard/branch for shunting, needs to be entertaining for a 6yr old and myself, also trying to get the 12 yr old to help.lol

I think I've found a plan that'll fit, but again I'm not really sure what to look for, in terms of understanding the operations of 1 plan to the next.
When I set it up ttemporarily to test it, I first made a single return loop but of course shorted (no baseboard yet so not properly wiring it) so I ran it around the room but 2 return loops and p2p at each end but not enough passing places etc.

[Chops]

Did we scare this chap off? I have been hoping to see what he came up with.