"Around the Room" Layout Design

[GearBeer]

Are there any suggestions for "around the room" track designs that are a little more interesting than a large rectangle with filleted corners?

What is typically done to protect the train with these systems? Acrylic walls so it doesn't fall off into the room?

I'm wondering if I'm missing some proper nomenclature because I seem to be having difficulty finding relevant results using the search feature.

Thanks and sorry for a [probably] redundant thread.

[tworail]

Here is one I did, this was for LGB G to fill a 10x20 room:

[T-Man]

Do you mean ceiling height above the doorways?
The interests is out there,you just about described it all. It is basciallly a display. A wider shelf will get you two lanes with switches. With wide curves you can run a long train.
Look at the dmiosk thread. He converted his cellar.
Design it as a shelf or a suspension bridge from the ceiling. The side trusses give you some protection from a fall. Speed has to be controlled. I am not a big fan of ceiling trains in a childs room. Forgive the corny joke.
For Kids, a piece of board under the bed is better.

Now the walk around style is the Bees Knees, with depth you can go all out. That is what you find in the train mags.

I placed a link to the Thread For Dmoisuk I know bad spelling.

[GearBeer]

tworail, how is the visibility on the train yard on the right side of the image?

Thanks T-Man, I'll check out that thread. I'm not too worried about kids; I'm 25 and single.

[GearBeer]

I'm not finding the "dmiosk" thread. Using the search I get a "no user by that name"-type error and this is the only thread that shows up when I search "dmiosk."

I'd like to do a full size layout, but I really don't have the space at present. Maybe someday.

[tworail]

Originally Posted by GearBeer

tworail, how is the visibility on the train yard on the right side of the image?

Not sure what you mean. I did a test layout of the tracks on the floor but I suppose if it was 5 ft high visibility would be good as long as you are over 5'5

I also toyed with the idea of the yard area sitting lower than the main line tracks to give it some more character and depth.

[GearBeer]

That's what I was thinking. I imagine mine will have to be rather high, because I have a few sections of an old entertainment center and a book shelf in my den.

I like the idea of using a lower area, but I'm not sure how easy/difficult it would be to do.

Ok, now the over-engineer in me is getting out. I wonder how hard it would be to set up an aircraft carrier-style elevator to bring different trains up to the main track level.

[tworail]

Yeah. Train storage is a problem. I like your idea though. If you have space underneath you can put trains there but it's not as cool as flipping a switch and having them rise up

[tworail]

OR - make a hole into another room and put a staging yard in there

[big ed]

"Design it as a shelf or a suspension bridge from the ceiling. The side trusses give you some protection from a fall. Speed has to be controlled."


I agree with controlling the speed of your train.
You don't have to be like Gomez Adams! (you know who that is right?)

The slower you can run your engine the better I think.
Unless your on your main line then it's pedal to the metal.
But even there you have to control the trains speed around the corners.

How about a catch net all the way around? Just in case.