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I selected a simple Atlas based layout called the Yard Master. It consists of two loops that share a quadrant. The outer loop is an oval that takes up most of the 8' by 4' area. The inner loop is a basic Figure-8 with a 90 degree crossing. The lower leg of the outer loop has a passing siding that also leads into a small yard.
The image above shows what the yard looks like. I used XTrkCad to create the diagram of the layout. It is open-source and can run under Linux. I had a lot of trouble getting the software to link the sectional track as per the guide book. It took a bit of tweaking but I finally got the right settings. It does not look perfect but now the file and the blueprint match.
The wiring is still incomplete. I want to devise a plug and play system using telephone wire and connectors. Once I come up with a standard I will run the wires to a central console. The ultimate goal is to get the system working with DCC components but I'll use standard DC first.
During my construction I did not have the track plan from Atlas so I was basically winging it. I have since bought it and need to figure out where the plastic joiner goes to separate the power districts.
I finally bought another extruded foam board. I am going to carve it up into a layered mountain that'll have a tunnel in it. I have a hot wire foam cutter for some of the detailing but I am planning on purchasing a hot knife as well. The tunnel will be over the left inner loop. The area inside will be a hiking scene.
The track at the top of the image goes up and down a ramp. I felt the layout needed some added dimension to it.
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