The largest model railroad layout I've ever drawn! 128ft x 35 ft

[@riogrande5761]

I've always enjoyed reviewing track plans. Of course a key factor is space, which is something that isn't always easy to come by. I live in the DC metro area and cost of living is up there. The gest I could do is find a 15x45' basement that is a bit odd shopped and 15x33' usable for a layout. I have a fairly ambitious layout in progress but with seemingly endless house remodeling plans, It's hard to find enough time to get it to a near state of completion. Large layouts take a lot of time!

[@danielmoore6606]

And please keep posting. Your layouts are very interesting.

[@MRBenchwork]

Thank you! Will do!

[@derekalexander4030]

This is a amazing space to work with and I always enjoy your track plans and revisions of other’s plans and the explanations. You have a wonderful ability to make things clear and understandable and I’m hoping you will use it to do a basic tutorial on Railmodeler. I know that you are running a business and may not really have the time but the only tutorials for the program are disjointed, sketchy, old, and foreign for anyone using a MacBook Pro type computer. Please consider doing the tutorial for us Mac people and if not please recommend any tutorial you may have found that I haven’t. Thank you.

[@MRBenchwork]

Making a review video on the few Mac based track programs is on my to do list. You rightfully pointed out however that I sort of have my hands full so I'm saving it for when I have a little more free time. Usually that's May-July.

[@paultijink4235]

Woow, very nice design! It will be a huge job building it, but I'm very much looking forward to the videos about this build.

[@MRBenchwork]

Yeah building it is going to be task just due to size but the number of electronics involved in this one could make even the benchwork construction different. If I'm lucky enough to get the opportunity to build this I'm going to extensively document the entire process possibly with a weekly build vlog.

[@RonStanek]

Nice planning Mr. B. Very, Good ideas! With the return run throughs, blue sky extention and veiws/access. Looks very functional; esthetic and comfortable or as you say user friendly. Wonderful to have that space. The linear plan affords the distance travel effect. I've drawn out a "dream" layout,☯️ying/yang, style for use of space, but it encompasses about a 40'x40' space and that's with 2' aisles. Would need about an 80'x80' for the layout; workshop & "crew" rest room. There is all kinds of ways to go with this much space. Makes one wonder? How, say a three level, maybe even a mushroom style layout may work, in that space. But, maybe simpler is better, for the visual effects. Although, the original plan, seems to accomplish the task of providing distance traveled for the operator, as well. Immersed in steps.😆 Have a good one, Mr.B. Thanks for the video.

[@MRBenchwork]

You are spot on. With a mushroom or NOLIX design this layout could actually be squeezed into a much much smaller space. My guess is it would work in something like a 25x35 area. That said, the client has the luxury of space and prefers single deck layouts so this is why it's designed the way it is. For me personally I think the length actually will add to the realism and it will provide some interesting field of depth for photos.

[@HumancityJunction]

Wait, what?? 128ft? Wow, that's incredible. How fortunate to be able to work on a project like this. I hope you are able to share some of the final results.

[@MRBenchwork]

I'm not going to count my chickens before they're hatched but I do hope I'm able to be a part of the project. It's going to be an incredible layout with a lot of new technologies and processes.

[@danielmoore6606]

It’s Chehalis. H not an N. Calgary is a long way away. He can model it but it’s almost 800 miles back to Portland. And I envy your customer with the room for this huge layout. I’m looking forward to updates.

[@MRBenchwork]

I agree that the distance is interesting but fortunately it's visually similar so some creative liberties with towns and locations isn't as big of a deal as if it were say Chicago and Las Vegas mixed in with Orlando. I'm envious as well.

[@danielmoore6606]

Going north from Portland, you have Longview, Chehalis, Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle. Plus other small towns. It’s his layout and if wants Calgary he can put it in. Calgary is a beautiful place.

[@MRBenchwork]

This reminds me of my favorite phrase in model railroading "my layout, my rules"

[@gregrunions5689]

How much to design a layout

[@MRBenchwork]

Track planning services start at $2200

[@gregrunions5689]

@@MRBenchwork 12 x 40 L shaped room 2 leves

[@MRBenchwork]

Please send an email to [e-mail] for further information or to inquire.