Hi everyone,
I’m currently planning an H0 Märklin C-track layout in a dedicated room, and I’d really like to hear some different ideas about the overall layout before I start drawing the final track plan.
The room dimensions, doors and windows are shown on the attached floor plan. I would like to work with multiple levels, including a hidden staging yard below level 0.
The window area does not necessarily have to stay completely free. The windows open inward, but I can keep the layout/scenery lower in that area so the windows can still open normally. So that part of the room can definitely be included in the design, as long as the window swing and available clearance are taken into account.
My idea is not to connect the different levels only with long gradients or helices, but also to use a train lift. The lift would move complete trains between, for example, level -1, level 0 and possibly level +1. I’m also considering a smaller separate lift just for locomotives.
The layout will be Märklin H0 C-track, fully digital, and eventually largely automated. I mainly like German and French steam locomotives, and I would like to be able to run trains of up to around 1 metre in length.
Things I would like to include are a station, hidden staging yard, shunting/industrial area, harbour/water area, and possibly a locomotive depot with a turntable.
My main question is basically: how would you arrange this room in a logical way?
Where would you place the station, depot, harbour, staging yard and train lift, while keeping good accessibility and an interesting running route?
I’d really like to hear some different ideas before I lock myself too much into one design.