hoping for some suggestion. I have a space that measures 11' by 17 feet. Its not a perfect rectanglt though, as the entry is on the northwest corner, and agles at 45 degrees . actual measurements are 210" south wall, 110" west wall, 40" northwest angle, 180" north wall, 130" east wall. If I leave the door on, the useable lenght on the west wall shrinks to 76". removing the door opens space, but also opens the room to intrusions by the wildlife (1 dog, 2 cats) I would like to do an around the wall type layout, and was hoping to place 2 loops of 45/54 for an el, and a larger o72+ double loop for other equipment (I might get a Zephyr, or Amtrak/freight) I would like to use MTH DCSand be able to run 2/4 trains at once. Any suggestions?

The door that leads from my trainroom into garage originally opened into the trainroom. everytime the wife and kids opened the door they would whump the train layout causing damage.
one night i had the guys come over and we reversed the door so it would open out into the garage, but i didn't inform the family members right away...the look on the wifes face was priceless the first time she tried to open the door after that.

I might get rid of the door. I can put a child gate there to keep the zoo out. other than that, I have no idea what to really do with the space.

Pelham,
My favorite way to begin planning is to make a list of those features, both scenic and track-related, that you would like to have on your layout. It looks like you have a head start on a few of these.

For example, single or double track, double-ended or single-ended yard, turntable, elevated trackage, wood trestle, urban area, etc, etc.

Then it is a matter of seeing what you can fit into your available space. Some features will have to be discarded, while others will present themselves as possibilities.

I'm still a pencil, compass and graph paper planner, but the layout planning software now available can also help show you what will or will not work in your space.

Jim

Pelham-
You also could put a fan fold type of door on your train room, which has the advantage of a)giving you privacy (if you wish it) and b)help keep animal fur from flying into the room (and having many critters myself, it just seems to find its way all over). There are the fan fold doors with louvers, solid, or even pleated ones you could use, and they aren't expensive. Changing the door to go out is another possibility,but that would take pulling the door buck out of the rough frame and reversing it, or more likely, buying a new door/buck assembly and putting that in (usually when you pull a door out, it never seems to be the same again, least when I have done it).

thanx for that suggestion. I was hoping for some more info on what you guys did with your layouts. this would be my first one, not counting "linoleum empires" and was hoping for pics or advice on possible pitfalls. I know the old saying that your layout usually requires twice as much space as you have, but just want something simple where I can run a few trains and not have to yank em off the tracks every nite, without spending my entire year's pay....