This is my first layout in the new room that comes close to using all the available space. If I moved some furniture, I could add another five feet to the layout, but I have plenty of space without doing that. The layout is about seventeen feet long and four feet wide. With the long trains, the straightaways are fun to watch. This extra large layout took a couple of hours to build. Download the SCARM file here.
I started with the Kato v11 and Kato v16 double track sets. To use up all the available space, I added extra straight pieces as shown above. I do not have enough of the double concrete 248mm pieces (Kato N 20004), so I alternated single 248mm pieces with the doubles. Doing it this way keeps the separate lanes spaced evenly.
The layout has five storage turnouts. With four lanes on the main line, those storage areas give plenty of space for extra trains.
An extra turnout functions as a reverse loop. The turnouts all get power from track number one. The reverse loop gets power from track number four. I will make a video showing exactly how this works. Basically, I avoid using a custom-made double pole double throw switch by tapping into another track’s power supply.
During Christmas break, I created a new 3D intro stinger for my YouTube videos. I created the 3D model in Blender. It’s not perfect yet. I am still tweaking it. It’s a Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 with the same number as the Kato version that I own. That engine is pulling the freight line in this layout.