Springfield, 'N' 6x3 Modern Era DCC

[ChrisWV10]

I have a bit of a dillema (is that spelt right ). I want this new layout to be a modern era, but my dad ( tight A*** who wont spend money) wants it to be a steam era. any idea on how we could combine the two with same dimensions and similar trackplan?
Thanks,
Ste.

Tell your dad to build his own?

[ste234]

Tell your dad to build his own?

i would but he'd just say "good luck finding a baseboard then coz im using that one!" i was thinking about having a preserved railway running on a higher level, but only about 2/3 inches higher and so maybe to have a small station
Cheers,
Ste

[trains!]

That could work, especially in 'n' gauge on 6 x 3 decent space. One thing though is your dads present day bit will be a 2ft radius. Yours will be 3ft . Either way good luck.

[ste234]

Thanks Trains, other way round tho, i want the modern mah dad wants the steam
I was thinking something a little like Barks layout, with a lot less track and just a straight high level without a squiggle.
Cheers,
Ste.

[ste234]

But then again i dont want to have the higher level sticking out too far, and the corners may be a bit tight...
i think i will stick with one level of railway, with the same design as on page 1 but with a canal in it
I will upload an updated plan soon,
Any ideas welcome,
Thanks,
Ste.

[ste234]

Hi all,
I have been wondering what will be best to use for the station, setrack or flexitrack. i thought maybe setrack as its already straight...any ideas?
Also, i found my original plan without any scenery stuff on it:



Also i updated the coloured in one to include the canal and the forgottern point Sprintex pointed out:



Thanks for looking,
Ste.

[barks]

hi ste,

just read through your thread,

most layouts use tunnels across one side to stop it looking like a loop.

why not fit a scenery board across the middle with modern your side and older period you dads side?
let his trains run straight through your side (special preserved service, and yours go through a tunnel his side?
or take turns using it, ie two layouts in one?
or have a similar center to mine with a preserved line.
i think my first suggestion sounds quite good fun!
if i get half an hour ill knock you up a plan on xtracad.
also use flexitrak its ace, and get a bundle of points off ebay.
regards
barks

[ste234]

Hi Barks,
Thanks for the comments,
the first idea sounds good but i could do with a fiddle yard, so i might make it as i planned, just with buildings that match both eras, ie. no modern sheds like on your layout the new scenecraft one looks like the sort i will go for.
Thing is not much changed from old steam to modern, much the same buildings, platforms etc.
Thanks,
Ste

[barks]

hi ste,

hear what your saying, i didnt mean just loops i did mean to fill the inner with sheds ect.
main point was your dad will leave your side alone


regards
barks

[ste234]

Hi barks,
yer i suppose my dad would leave my side alone, but id rather have a big whole layout if yah get me (stuff mah dad he will have to put up with it)
Im going to start track laying asap, my little board is doing my head in i cant shunt effectively im sick of the same train chasin itself, so the sooner i can start this one the better. I will lay it in stages, i will put down the first main loop with a bit of fiddleyard at the back so i have something to play (i mean test my loco's ) on.
Thanks,
Ste.

P.S barks a plan on xtrackad would be great, i cant ge to grips with it

[ste234]

And now the biggest update of this topic... i have a new plan!! and i am sticking with it
Thanks to Barks who's trackplan i slightly copied of



And as of today i started its construction!! i now have the outer loop and a fiddle yard at the back, pics will come later.
Could a moderator move this to the under construcutin section?
Many thanks,
Ste.

[Raider]

Moved over to the Under Construction section. Don't forget to keep the photo's coming.

[ste234]

Thanks Raider,
Will upload some photos when i get the chance tonight.
The worst problem is the darn fishplates are stopping me working on it 'coz i kinda ran out of them
Many Thanks,
Ste.

[briantwigley]

I had EXACTLY the same problem, had an emergency consignment sent from ebay though

Looking good, I'm sure you can come to some sort of arrangement with your dad... (Convert him to diesel!)

[ste234]

Well i rang my Grandad and hes going with a shopping list tomorow to the local model shop, im getting fishplates, pins and a new level crossing
After a talk with my dad last night i persuaded him we dont need a turntable (one step closer ) but in the end its me who will be doing the scenery and buying the buildings so il'l make it as modern as i like
Many thanks,
Ste.

P.S. a photie will be up tomorow maybe, havnt had chance tonight as ive been trying to get mah little brothers Voyager to go round