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Help with new layout

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  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Terre Haute IN
  • 199 posts
Help with new layout
Posted by robscaboose on Thursday, March 30, 2006 11:36 PM
[:o)][:o)]I'm in the process of building a new home & have space for a 12 x 20 layout in the basement.

- I would like a build a classic "Post War" type layout with a miminum of 3 seperate tracks.

Can anyone, suggest a website that may provide me with some track plans that I can look at to help me design this layout.

Thanks

Rob

I have a ton of other questions, once I have a track plan.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Western Pennsylvania
  • 687 posts
Posted by prewardude on Thursday, March 30, 2006 11:54 PM
Here ya go, Rob: http://www.thortrains.net/

Regards,
Clint
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Southwest of Houston. TX
  • 1,082 posts
Posted by jimhaleyscomet on Friday, March 31, 2006 12:19 AM
I would suggest a layout book (local hobby shop or google search on Amazon.com), a track timplate (cheap), or layout software like RRtrack (Not so cheap at $100). With a layout that big you will want to invest a little in "blue sky" design.

Good luck and have fun!

Jim H
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Terre Haute IN
  • 199 posts
Posted by robscaboose on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 9:31 PM
Thank you very much

Rob
  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: US
  • 122 posts
Posted by DCmontana on Thursday, April 6, 2006 5:25 PM
I second the motion on going to a train store and stocking up on some good layout books. I actually have gotten better ideas looking at the HO books than those for O gauge. I am a track plan junky and when I attend "boring" administrative meetings I am doodling track plans. Most are junk, but every once in a while, I make up a winner and than I file it. I envy your space and wish you a great time. Every phase of this hobby is fune. My current 5 X 12 double main loop layout is post war set in the late 50s. However, I cheat and use some currently manufactured 50s type trains.
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Connecticut
  • 196 posts
Posted by HopperSJ on Thursday, April 6, 2006 6:07 PM
I second the notion of purchasing software. I bought RR-Track and have been very happy with the purchase. I bought the lionel pack for $69, I think, and it gave me all the lionel track packs and modern accessories. Once you deturmine the brand of track you want to use, go for RR-track and have at it. It has given me the confidence to know that the layout I am designing and the track I am purchasing will fit in my space. Otherwise it was all guess work. Because of that I believe the software saved me $, time, and frustration. well worth it!!!

Of course, I may have a different opinion if I build my layout and it doesn't work as planned. . . . . . [:0].
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 1,634 posts
Posted by pbjwilson on Thursday, April 6, 2006 7:19 PM
Strange but true - My mother-in-law got me this book for Christmas. It has many classic train layouts in it. And lots of layout ideas. And instructions to hook up just about any postwar accessory.

http://cgi.ebay.com/K-LINE-OPERATING-O-AND-O27-TRAINS-BOOK-FOR-LIONEL_W0QQitemZ6048130511QQcategoryZ4146QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

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