Still looking

[nickt22]

It seems that I still can't find a good idea for a 4' by 16' track plan. Iv'e searched and thought and I just can't come up with anything. I use 3-rail tubular O-27 track. Any suggestions or small ideas would be helpful

[Anonymous]

Nick,
Take a look at the layouts in Wes's 'Let me throw a layout design by you guys...' thread.

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1053910/ShowPost.aspx

There are a few different designs in there, basically they are reversing loop layouts.  It you like one and would like it slightly modified, let me know and I'll play around with it...

Brent

[Anonymous]

Why use some else's track plan? You can undoubtedly come up with your own once you decide what you might want your layout to , and how you want it to operate  You can outline some ideas with pencil and graf paper; use a track planning program on your computer; or even just lay down some track and switches on the floor and move things around until you come up with something you like.  That last method is actually the best one, assuming you have the track and switches available (which may not be the case) because you'll get to see exactly what is required and exacly how much space it will take.

[Birds]

I second the idea of trying different things with the track itself (spent a year doing that), but set it up as a temporary layout.  Then run it for a while and see how you like it.  Often times you mentally begin to see additional changes that can be made to a layout by working in this manner - changes that just don't come out on paper or with track software.

Chris

[Anonymous]

Why use some else's track plan? You can undoubtedly come up with your own once you decide what you might want your layout to , and how you want it to operate  You can outline some ideas with pencil and graf paper; use a track planning program on your computer; or even just lay down some track and switches on the floor and move things around until you come up with something you like.  That last method is actually the best one, assuming you have the track and switches available (which may not be the case) because you'll get to see exactly what is required and exacly how much space it will take.

Ever hear of creative block?  You get to laying something out and you just don't feel comfortable with it, but you sit there and look at it and you get in a funk... That is what had been happening to me when I was designing mine and I took a look at Thor's website and found one that was close to my space restictions, and looked interesting... so I borrowed it and because moving things around, and low and behold, I started getting somewhere and now have what I consider a fairly decent plan, and some of it came about after working with Wes on his design...

IMHO, nothing wrong with taking a look at someone else's plan to help give you some ideas... that is why I made the suggestion...

Just trying to help...

Brent

[Birds]

There is always Classic Toy Trains layout articles in PDF format.  They aren't expensive:

http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/toy-trains-downloadable-articles-toy-train-layouts.html 

Two books (can be found through used book stores on-line) that were helpful to me were:

"Track Plans for Sectional Track" by Linn Westcott (an old Kalmbach publication that is out of print)

• Copyright 1961
  
• ISBN-10: 089024510X
• ISBN-13: 978-0890245101

and

"Operating O and O-27 Trains: A Comprehensive Guide to the Design, Construction and Operation of a Layout for Lionel Trains" by K-Line

• Copyright 1984
• Distributed by MDK, Inc.
• ISBN: 0-934580-02-2
  

Chris

[traindaddy1]

Since you have benchwork set into 4' x 16', a definite space, "step out of the box" and take a different approach. When a real life railroad line is made, the terrain is mapped and the reason for the line is determined. Stand back, look at your layout space and envision what you would like to see as a completed layout. Now, with that in mind, lay your track through the countryside. As you do, 'new' ideas always appear.  I would also suggest that you take your time. As Rome was not built in a day, so is the ideal layout. All the best!

[fifedog]

Nick, 4x16 is plenty big for an O-27 layout.  Get yourself a CTT Track template, sit down at the kitchen table, and start drafting plans.  Without knowing what requirements you have, it's hard to offer advice beyond that.  But, if I may suggest, stay away from just running a loop around the layout edge.  Encorporate at least one 45 degree crossing, a  passing siding (enough to park a complete train), and at least 2 switches for industry.

[Birds]

Nick,

As Fifedog mentioned, more details as to what you would like are always helpful.

I took a layout out of one of the books I mentioned and ran a couple variations.  The layout is 4x8, but you could stretch the side out, add more sidings, spurs, reversing loops, etc.  

I did find track planning software to be helpful once I had an idea of the elements I wanted in a layout.  It was easy to work up a number of variations quickly.  I have also used the pencil, paper, and template process and it works well too, but takes longer.  The software also lets your drop in buildings, create grades, look at things in a 3D view.

Track planning software does have some issues with track sizes.  Sometimes the track doesn't join right and it looks like you need a custom cut piece where in real life you won't. 

Click on the pictures to enlarge them 

This first one does not use switches.

This second one is the same plan but with a grade and an elevated track section crossing over instead of using two 90 degree pieces.

These next two are the same two layouts but made deeper with one track section on each side of the outside run, and with one switch added.

Without grade: 

With grade:

Chris 

[traindaddy1]

Chris: I know you are helping Nick BUT I am "stealing" your ideas for the future. Thanks.

[underworld]

The track template is a good idea, as it has all of the O27 pieces cut into it. Just pick up some paper and start fiddling....that is unless you don't have a fiddle....then you can just turn on the radio!

 

underworld

[Buckeye Riveter]

This is a 4' x 16' layout with O-42 curves.  We normally ran two trains simultaneously using TMCC.   

[fifedog]

Gee UNCLE BUCKEYE, now all you need is Waldo Pepper and a movie crew on the ground...would be a show stopper!

[Andrew Falconer]

There was a Classic Toy Trains article about 10 years ago about a model of the Illinois Central in the same approximate space.

The tracks on the front half were lower than the tracks in the back making a two layer operation that was visually engaging.

Andrew

[RR Redneck]

I usually just buy some track and piddle 'round till I find a track plan that works. No toy train layout that I have built has ever really gotten any major planning, but was just sort of thrown together and it has worked for me.