Floor Layouts, the Challenge

[Anonymous]

I know a few of you here run floor layouts, without any benchwork of any kind. Has there been any kind of layout that runs through different areas of the house, say like starting the layout in the livingroom and have it run in and out the bedroom? Or perhaps putting some sidings in remote areas of the house to store cars and such?

Of course, this usually wont work if you have kids and such in the house, but if you live by yourself it could be a cool option until you get to go permanent with benchwork and all.

I'm thinking of doing a floor layout for awhile so that I can get the use of running my trains.....the first layout I designed I used RR Track with GG and Ross switches. I know this type of track is used for permanent setups but I figure it would be a good idea to invest in a new track system for long term and it would also let me test on how good the Ross switches really are.

Here's what I have so far (though for some reason the switches were cut off on the sides but can see them with the original pic):



I would like to add perhaps a siding or two as well. The outside loop is O-72 GG track and the switches (not shown) are the Ross  O-72 for the passing siding, using a combo of O-72 and O-120 to connect the inside. And yes I have the space for it given it being an 8' x 14' size layout.

If anyone know of a better way to post layout pics from RR-Track please let me know. Since you can only export to .BMP I usually convert to JPG using Photoshop before uploading.

Any thoughts would be great. Thanks!

[chuck]

If you are going to use GG for a floor layout, get some bags of cable ties at Home Depot or Lowes to cinch the sections together.  I break down my O-72 FastTrack curves into quarter sections to make it easier to set up and tear down.  Other two concerns with GG are possible debris pickup (like carpet fuzz) and the ability of the entire layout to "shift" in use.  We set up a large "oval" of track on a carpet and noticed that after about a 1/2 hour of running a diecast steam pulled train set that the entrie oval was shifting in whichever direction we ran in for a length of time.  Multiple room floor layouts can be fun but their success has much to do with what the rest of the family will tolerate

[Anonymous]

I've never done it in O gauge, but back when I lived on the top floor of a 32-story high-rise condo in Honolulu I had an LGB on-the-floor layout that ran through virtually every room of the place--living room, dining room, bedroom, hallway, and powder room.  I had a passing siding located behind the couch and several switches and sidings in other areas, including a configuration where I could have the train just circle the living room if I wanted to just sit back and watch her go around.  I also had a number of Pola buildings strategically located at various areas throughout the apartment.

Doesn't get much better than that!  Long train runs with those great LGB trains and a beautiful view of Honolulu Harbor out the nearly floor-to-ceiling livingroom windows.

[Frank53]

Here's an interesting around the house layout:

A woman in Colorado has a large layout made mostly with tubular track. It appears the layout goes around a good part of her house, with a six foot diameter helix that rises 52" over its span.

http://www.venturea.com/sue.htm

According to a comment on her site, she had a 47 foot long train running down her hallway and up the helix. The helix is dual track enabling one train to climb as another descends.

According to her comments on her site:

I've had a layout for about 20 years. I started with two 4'x8' tables and the layout is still growing. I "play trains" and I Don't Do Scenery. My grandchildren play trains with me.

 

runs on the floor, doesn't do scenery. Must be related to Chief.

[Anonymous]

And based on the last pic, it looks like she's having the time of her life!

[Frank53]

Down the hallway:

 

[cmrj]

Now that is one awesome Grandma. Your right she is haveing the time of her life.
Wonder if she want's to adopt a couple more grand kid's.
   Have a great day       Mike

[3railguy]

For reliablity and ease of set-up, I wouldn't think of using anything but Fastrack (or Realtrax) for a floor layout. Especially on carpet. Fastrack clicks togehter quickly and stays together. Your're up and running in no time. Gargraves and Ross will work but to me, it seems like a lot of work to get it to work right for a temporary floor layout. Fastrack isn't all that expensive if you buy it in bulk and use 40" long straights. It also makes a great planning tool as you add or re-arrange track which is very easy to do. Once you build a permanent layout, you can sell the Fastrack for half what you paid.