Layout design

Now I had built the table, the next step is to design a track layout to fit the small space.

I want the layout to have three features: a mountain, a city, and an intermodal freight area. To maximise space, I will use multiple levels (and trains running over each other look super cool). I’m not fussed on making it look like a specific location since I want to run all sorts of trains from around the world, but I do want to make it a modern looking city scene. Finally I want to include some Kato superelevated track, which is slightly inclined in so the trains lean into the corner (because it looks cool).

The first draft of a layout used a large figure eight. There would be a mountain in the back left corner, a city at the bottom of the mountain on the left, and on the right a station and freight area. My friend said the design didn’t have enough straight bits, and it would be cool to have a bridge that overhangs the inner corner. I told him he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and left it at that.

First layout design using a figure 8. Station would sit at ground level in bottom left hand corner, and imagine extending the orange freight platforms + red mountain station.

First design 3D render, note height differences. The bottom right is viaduct track, with room for buildings etc to build the city up.

I then spent two weekends playing at the model rail club, and realised I needed more straight sections. The figure of eight design was also concerning me with its continuous gradients (being difficult to build and not aesthetically pleasing) and that it was not a great use of space. Finally I cleverly realised it would be super cool and efficient to put a bridge over the inner corner.

This new design is based around a double loop of track which is raised 60mm above the ground. There will be a mountain on the narrow right hand side, a freight area in the middle, and the wide left hand side will be a city. The back straight of the loop will be a station (where the track opens to fit an island platform). On the right hand side of the station, there will be a track which goes down to ground level. The ground level will contain a loop, freight parking, and potentially a tram in the city (and even one day an underground station in the front under the mountain). Finally, there is a future option to have a line coming off the left hand side of the main station and climbing up to the top of the mountain to have a nice alpine station.

The new design should also be much easier to construct. The viaduct parts can now be bought off the shelf (including the elevated station), which are expensive but should at least work while I get my head around the layout. The hardest bit to build will be the mountain, which has four tunnels (one of which on a gradient).

Below are outlines and renders of the track design. Note the software I’m using (SCRAM) only allows 100 parts for the free version, so you need to combine the layers in your head.

Main loop, showing track to lower level (right hand side of station), track to upper level (left hand side of station), and where the ground level tunnel will sit

Lower level, with freight area (long straight bits) and tram area (very tight loop on left hand side).

Render of main loop with upper track to mountain (very sketchy but idea is there)

Lower level, with some of the main loop viaduct to show how it interacts through the city part