I cannot speak highly enough of Peter's design skills. As he noted in the presentation, I struggled mightily with my own design effort and after watching many of his videos decided to engage him on my project. So glad I did as there is now a real possibility that this layout will actually get built!! I move a little slower than Peter :) but the lower level benchwork is complete, the storage cabinet has been built and the helix has been relocated - lower level trackwork is next up. I am using a modular approach wherever I can to address the potential move in a few years' time.
I love how you are able to finesse your clients wishes into the least cooperative of room spaces. And then, as I further study the trackplans, I totally get why someone would then pay you to build it and ship it to Australia! Finessing that track takes serious woodworking skills most of us aren't equipped to build with our meager collection of power tools. You are a master, Peter! An absolute master! ❤
Another great plan for an awkward space. I love how you take the mainline drawing and just click once and all of the the other tracks just appear as if it were that simple. I would think that is the hardest part that required the most thought. I have the general plan of my layout figured out but don’t have enough experience to know where and how far apart each industry or sidings need to be or their layout. Thank you for sharing your layouts, they definitely help.
Not just a couple of years. The client said "several", and it's not a definite thing anyway. The move could be 10 years away, or maybe longer, so it makes sense to plan for both outcomes.
As always, an excellent presentation on design. Ever thought about hosting, perhaps at a hotel, a one-day or two-day seminar covering the main design considerations when presented with an area for a model railroad? You listed several at the start of this video. Perhaps too many people do not appreciate such considerations as car length and track geometry, when to use a peninsula, etc.
I'm assuming you mean the lower lever trestle. When a railroad is mainly one deck with a lower staging deck, I think there's often a lot to be said for including a few isolated dioramas on the staging level, although I'd never seen any other designers do that until recently.
I understand the "why", but I'm always amused when bits of the layout encroach on areas (desk, workshop) that originally were not part of the layout footprint. Lots of staging again - do any clients end up not wanting much?
The dead-ended storage tracks look like overkill to me, given the yard space already available, and will be a pain to operate due to the peninsula and the long, curved section. The stub tracks for locomotives also look weird to me, pushed up against the access hole; I would want them close to the edge. The orientation of the roundhouse, viewed from the back, is not the best. I would rethink this whole steam engine facility. Just my two cents worth.
I'm not seeing the 'problems' you cite. The 2 stub ended storage tracks might well be staging tracks. What we don't know is the height of everything in that area. Also don't see any issue with the stub tracks by the turntable. Looks perfectly prototypical. I'd be happy to have this layout as-is.
I always include as much staging capacity as will fit since most model railroaders eventually accumulate so many cars and locomotives that their railroads run out of staging capacity. The extra stub-ended ("auxiliary") staging and the spare locomotive spurs are entirely optional. I recommend that builders put in the additional benchwork for the auxiliary staging yards but delay adding the track until or unless they find they need it. Even if they never add the extra staging yard, the benchwork will provide a very useful shelf for tools and materials during layout construction. As for the roundhouse orientation, there was no option to have it facing the other way. The choice was to include it or not. The way I've drawn it is the only way it would fit. If you think you can do better at layout design, then feel free to set up your own business to create them.
@@mpeterll I didn't say the orientation of the roundhouse was a bad move since it was a forced move based on the location of the turntable. so there's no need to get upset. I would get rid of the turntable and roundhouse by incorporating a Y (for turning engines) into the curved track to the harbor, pushing the upper leg all the way into the corner next to the hatch; this might require some interesting bridge work to fit the right leg. Only one track for coal/water/sand is needed (return via the wye), which could be grafted onto the left or upper leg of the Y. A 2-stall barn-style engine house pushed up against the hatch and a stub track with a coal loader and ash hoist. This arrangement might need a lap switch to tie into the RIP track. That's what I would try. As for the lower level, all the stub tracks need switches, switch machines, wiring, etc. The cost alone would be a concern, at least to the average modeler, although this might not apply in this case.
@@mpeterll I like the way you did the track plan. With the roundhouse like it is if the owner builds a really nice structure then it can become a focal point. The spare loco spurs could be treated as a dead-line for retired or to be scrapped locomotives/equipment.
I cannot speak highly enough of Peter's design skills. As he noted in the presentation, I struggled mightily with my own design effort and after watching many of his videos decided to engage him on my project. So glad I did as there is now a real possibility that this layout will actually get built!!
I move a little slower than Peter :) but the lower level benchwork is complete, the storage cabinet has been built and the helix has been relocated - lower level trackwork is next up. I am using a modular approach wherever I can to address the potential move in a few years' time.
Should make a few videos as the layout progresses. Looks like a fun one to operate. Interesting choices for industries also.
I love how you are able to finesse your clients wishes into the least cooperative of room spaces. And then, as I further study the trackplans, I totally get why someone would then pay you to build it and ship it to Australia! Finessing that track takes serious woodworking skills most of us aren't equipped to build with our meager collection of power tools. You are a master, Peter! An absolute master! ❤
Such a nice design Peter. You really do make the most of available space.
Another great plan for an awkward space. I love how you take the mainline drawing and just click once and all of the the other tracks just appear as if it were that simple. I would think that is the hardest part that required the most thought. I have the general plan of my layout figured out but don’t have enough experience to know where and how far apart each industry or sidings need to be or their layout. Thank you for sharing your layouts, they definitely help.
Peter, I have to sy that I enjoy both type of videos, the construction ones seem to help us a lot in learning how to build our own layouts.
Another enjoyable project. I love watching your videos. You are indeed a very talented engineer, designer, and modeler.
Thank-you.
Thanks for another excellent design video, Peter. I always pick up very useful ideas for the club expansion.
I like all the explanations of why you do things. That is inspirering. Thou I will not make a replica of the real world, your work is fun to follow.
thank you for super detail video as all way good watching
Nice work fitting that layout in a tight space, somewhere John Armstrong is smiling!!!
If moving in a couple years personally I'd just focus on building structures and small dioramas that could integrate into something in the new space
Not just a couple of years. The client said "several", and it's not a definite thing anyway. The move could be 10 years away, or maybe longer, so it makes sense to plan for both outcomes.
Another excellent use of space.
Hi Mpeterll & it's is Randy and yours video is Cool & Thanks Mpeterll & Friends Randy
Another excellent plan. 👍
Thanks Mr. Peter your video excellent!
🇧🇷🚂👏🏻
Beautiful.
As always, an excellent presentation on design.
Ever thought about hosting, perhaps at a hotel, a one-day or two-day seminar covering the main design considerations when presented with an area for a model railroad?
You listed several at the start of this video. Perhaps too many people do not appreciate such considerations as car length and track geometry, when to use a peninsula, etc.
Servus mpll, I already like the bridge on the left!!!
I'm assuming you mean the lower lever trestle.
When a railroad is mainly one deck with a lower staging deck, I think there's often a lot to be said for including a few isolated dioramas on the staging level, although I'd never seen any other designers do that until recently.
@@mpeterll Hi, you have to try something new sometimes, whoever dares wins!!!!
I understand the "why", but I'm always amused when bits of the layout encroach on areas (desk, workshop) that originally were not part of the layout footprint. Lots of staging again - do any clients end up not wanting much?
We are watching the Mickeal Jordon of track layout design.
Who's MJ?
@@mpeterll Opps. Michael Jordan. I wired that one wrong.
The 58 measurement looks wrong ;o( Thank-you for making time to share insight to your planning process.
Which 58 measurement?
@@mpeterll bottom right hand past the desk. The dimension does not match the grid.
@@peterthomas2013 Yes it does. It's 2" less than 5'. which is 58".
Sorry for the false alarm
Great work Peter. How do I get in touch with you?
Contact me through my web-site. There's a link in the description.
Amazing
The dead-ended storage tracks look like overkill to me, given the yard space already available, and will be a pain to operate due to the peninsula and the long, curved section. The stub tracks for locomotives also look weird to me, pushed up against the access hole; I would want them close to the edge. The orientation of the roundhouse, viewed from the back, is not the best. I would rethink this whole steam engine facility. Just my two cents worth.
I'm not seeing the 'problems' you cite. The 2 stub ended storage tracks might well be staging tracks. What we don't know is the height of everything in that area. Also don't see any issue with the stub tracks by the turntable. Looks perfectly prototypical. I'd be happy to have this layout as-is.
@@musicman8942 My comment concerns the lower level, except for the roundhouse.
I always include as much staging capacity as will fit since most model railroaders eventually accumulate so many cars and locomotives that their railroads run out of staging capacity. The extra stub-ended ("auxiliary") staging and the spare locomotive spurs are entirely optional. I recommend that builders put in the additional benchwork for the auxiliary staging yards but delay adding the track until or unless they find they need it. Even if they never add the extra staging yard, the benchwork will provide a very useful shelf for tools and materials during layout construction.
As for the roundhouse orientation, there was no option to have it facing the other way. The choice was to include it or not. The way I've drawn it is the only way it would fit.
If you think you can do better at layout design, then feel free to set up your own business to create them.
@@mpeterll I didn't say the orientation of the roundhouse was a bad move since it was a forced move based on the location of the turntable. so there's no need to get upset. I would get rid of the turntable and roundhouse by incorporating a Y (for turning engines) into the curved track to the harbor, pushing the upper leg all the way into the corner next to the hatch; this might require some interesting bridge work to fit the right leg. Only one track for coal/water/sand is needed (return via the wye), which could be grafted onto the left or upper leg of the Y. A 2-stall barn-style engine house pushed up against the hatch and a stub track with a coal loader and ash hoist. This arrangement might need a lap switch to tie into the RIP track. That's what I would try. As for the lower level, all the stub tracks need switches, switch machines, wiring, etc. The cost alone would be a concern, at least to the average modeler, although this might not apply in this case.
@@mpeterll I like the way you did the track plan. With the roundhouse like it is if the owner builds a really nice structure then it can become a focal point. The spare loco spurs could be treated as a dead-line for retired or to be scrapped locomotives/equipment.