Spectacular HO layout design for Sydney; part 1

More than four years ago, I was hired by a client in Sydney, Australia, to design a spectacular double-deck HO sale model railroad for him to enjoy during his upcoming retirement. The first layout I designed for him was described here: • Custom layout design f...
Since then, the available space has changed somewhat, as have some of his desires. Now that the future site of the layout is available, let's get stuck in to the new design.
If you are in the market for a custom model railroad design and/or build, please contact me at: www.superiormo...

[@jacko9759]

I like the new layout better that the fist one with more long runs.😊

[@PeterTillman3]

It’s been a very long 4 years Peter. I am so happy that we are finally under way!

[@steamfan007]

This is great news, Peter. Like many others I’ve been waiting with varying degrees of patience for news of the completion of your house plans so that we can see your railroad take shape. Looking forward to seeing the final plan next week. 🎉

[@PeterTillman3]

@@steamfan007cheers! It seems like I have waited a lifetime for everything to align but now the project is under way and I can assure you it will be incredible. Peter is the master.

[@littlewingpsc27]

Very nice harbor layout and a great use of the available space. Nice to see the Cannery make a comeback. 😃

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Peter, very interesting how you presented the idea of modelling towards a western location of a harbor and an eastern one. Very curious for the next iteration of this layout design. Cheerio

[@ajkleipass]

I'm convinced that one-room schoolhouses are the result of a plan to build a 10,000 acre university getting resized by a planning commission. I cannot wait until next week's conclusion!

[@ACRR46]

Impressive design work.

[@TrainDetailsbyGuss]

WoW, just amazing.

[@donstratton6343]

Ah, Anyrail is your marble, a final layout design is your David.

[@mpeterll]

Even after I worked out that this was meant to be a reference to 1 Samuel 17, I still don't know what you are trying to say. By the way; I use 3rd-plan-it, not anyrail, and it was a "smooth stone", a.k.a. pebble, not a marble.

[@donstratton6343]

@@mpeterll Just as Michelangelo was masterful in shaping marble, it looks to me that you are masterful at shaping a layout. And no, nothing to do with entering a lion's den.

[@mpeterll]

@@donstratton6343 Oops, I completely misunderstood the reference (wrong David). Sorry. With the comment now put into context, it's high praise indeed. Thank-you.

[@donstratton6343]

@@mpeterll Apologies for the confusion. I see how you use space and I am in awe.

[@beeble2003]

I don't get this left/right thing at all. An east-coast port can be either to your left or to your right, depending on whether you're facing north or south. Even if you insist that you're facing north (why?) then, say, Baltimore is on your left if you're in Philadelphia and on your right if you're in Pittsburgh.

[@mpeterll]

Two reasons: 1. Maps are generally drawn with north at the top of the page. 2. Rail-fans generally prefer locations where they can view their subjects from the south side (assuming the northern hemisphere) with the sun behind them so that they are looking at the sunny side of the trains with all the details properly lit instead of being in shadow.

[@allanmartinez1190]

Hello Sir, This is my first time in watching your videos and may I say I'm very impressed with your work and I'm sure I will be learning alot and taking lots of notes to help me understand what I will be working on. Would you mind if I could ask you a question about your experience in model railroading design? I have a layout in mind that came out of a track plan book. The book is called 101 Track plan. I'm sorry, I don't know what the page number is at the moment, but the track plan number is #97 and the scale that I'm interested in would be 3 rail O-gauge and I would be using Lionel Fastrack System. In your opinion, what would you think about this layout, because it has so far what I'm looking for in a layout. Not only does it have a large railroad yard for supporting both freight, but also a passenger line. Do you think that would be true? There are some changes I would like to have to benefit the use of the layout. Starting with the size of the table a 24'x52' I would like to have if it's possible that the large space where the terminal yard facing at a angle come straight down to the bottom left side of the table and to have the street level trolley line running along side passing the terminal building as it shows on the layout then it goes into a loop and then travels back to the other side of the layout. What I would like to do is to make the middle part of the table stretch out a bit so it's not too crowded and have some industries and some warehouses for some branch lines if it's possible Please. If by any chance you don't have this book is there a way I can send you a copy so you can see what I'm talking about? Sorry for the the length of my comment I hope you can help me with this issue. Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan

[@mpeterll]

I don't have that book in front of me. For the most part, published plans of that era need a lot of work before they can be deemed workable. If you would like to hire me to modify the plan into something that you can use, please contact me privately through my web-site (link is in the description).

[@Conn653]

Question: Could the abandoned track be merged into the parrallel tracks going to the steam turntable? Thus you could have a MoW equipment storage track.

[@PeterTillman3]

The MOW track should be in Part 2 😀

[@mpeterll]

That abandoned track is essential for the history of the area to make sense. The portion still in use (ending just before the bridge) is also far more useful for parking passenger cars and other preserved equipment owned by the museum. The MOW spurs are at the other end of the yard near the diesel servicing area. It would make no sense for them to be in the museum.