I started to build a layout many moons ago but life, children , house moves and redundancy all got in the way. I rejoined the society in January and have really enjoyed receiving "News" every month. I don't have much room to build and store a layout but I have a shelf 36" x 9" that has now been cleared of books so I am hoping with your help to come up with a simple track plan that I could use. I have a couple of Peco lH and RH points purchased many years ago a yard of 009 track and some N Gage track that I can use.
I realise that it will have to be end to end but looking forward to a bit of shunting with a lick and some wagons.
I would welcome your ideas and advice . The layout will be operated from the front.
Regards
John Adams
Welcome!
What about an Inglenook shunting puzzle?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglenook_Sidings (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inglenook_Sidings)
Shunting puzzles may not be to everyone's liking, but there is still a lot can be learned from them. For example, not that infrequently do you see layout designs where sidings are almost inaccessible because a headshunt is too short meaning the only way to get stock in or out is a few wagons at a time (in comparison with the length of the siding).
Even without adhering to the strict sizes of the Inglenook puzzle, looking at the relative lengths is a good starting point.
The other great shunting puzzle is John Allen's Timesaver, but it doesn't really make sense with short wheelbase stock, though again it can offer a few ideas for layouts that include a run around loop.
Larger and more of a layout than a puzzle is Cyril Freezer's Minories. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minories_(model_railway) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minories_(model_railway))
The definitive source online in my view is Adrian Wymann's shunting puzzle web site.
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/shunting-puzzles.html (http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/shunting-puzzles.html)
There is also a lot of inspiration to be found in Carl Arndt's web site, which thankfully has been kept going since his passing, though updates obviously lack his personal wit.
http://www.carendt.com/ (http://www.carendt.com/)
Thanks for the info folks. I am happy enough with the inglenook type of layout
Still looking at ideas
John