On the 26th I placed my order for 25 16.5″ shelving standards. These will be mounted directly to the wall studs around the room and act as the basis of the benchwork. I only picked up 4 brackets for now to use with leveling (I’m trying to maintain a slight montly budget on the railroad).

Here’s the latest version of the track plan.

Main Level:

Staging:

This is my plan for the new shelf layout I’m planning in our house. It’s a fictional UP subdivision in “middle America” (or anyplace of
your choosing where you find mountains ). Era is present day.

My original plan was for a double level layout with two helix’s in either side, but opted for a single level in the end to help keep costs/building problems/helix woes/etc… to a minimum. and also because the first level has to be at around 50″, putting level two at 60″. Not the greatest heights.

They yet to be named town is based on Pelle Soeberg’s Daneville subdivision. I always liked that layout of track and roads, so I incorporated it into the plan.

Not quite sure how I wanna do the scenery on the upper turnaround. I’m picturing an overpass acting as a breaker for the track heading upwards, with the lower track just wrapping around from the back in a field-y type setting as it rolls into town. In my head in looks goods at least

The “benchwork” will be made using shelf standards and brackets to support 3/4″ plywood for the staging level, main level, and an upper valance/lighting level. Similar to this.

All track will sit on 2″ risers as well so surrounding scenery can be “rolling” a little and not totally flat, especially in the mountain pass area. Speaking of, here will be an over and under pass using 2% grade incline. I should have enough space so the underpass (instead the hill) will have just enough clearance for the tallest cars to pass (ie: double stacks).

All turnouts will be remotely operated with tortoise turnouts running on a DCC system, and a signal system will be installed.

JMRI will be used initially for computer control. Eventually, Railroad&CO will be installed to allow for automatic running/scheduling/etc.. of trains.

I’m pretty excited about this layout. I’ve got my own large office to build it in and got the wife’s ok So that’s always good. I think I’ve got a great track plan for me use (I’m more into the tech side of building/running than tedious switching operations), the shelfing system should provide a really nice looking layout, and I’ve still have like half an office to walk into.

Ok, I think that’s all for now.