Robert Schleicher's 5x9 Ping Pong Table Layout

[AJ132]

I am interested in building Robert Schleicher's 5x9 Ping Pong Table Layout in his book The Lionel FastTrack Book (pages 65 - 75). I understand that the layout in the book has problems, but that they can be resolved using 1.75 and 1.375 straight pieces. Has anyone built this layout or ideally modeled it in RR-Track? If so, I would like to see the corrected layout files. I would like to make a few modifications, but for the most part this layout has everything I am looking for in a 5x9 layout given my space limitations. Any assistance anyone can provide would be appreciated.

 AJ

[Wes Whitmore]

http://books.google.com/books?id=uDbTKiW5SC8C&lpg=PA65&ots=zLkwYyA6Tx&dq=Robert%20Schleicher's%205x9%20Ping%20Pong%20Table%20Layout&pg=PA67#v=onepage&q&f=false

 Someone should be able to look at this and build it in RR-Track.  I only have the MTH and 0-27 libraries...

[AJ132]

Wes, Thanks for the link. That is the correct layout.

 I would also be interested other members feedback on how I might make this layout better. Ideally I would like to be able to run 2 trains at the same time, but not sure how to make this happen given the space limitations. I do like the elevated track and I am thinking of putting a mountain in the area of the elevated section and a tunnel for the loop below rather than use the trestles. Any other ideas on how to spruce this layout up?

 FYI. I nice chap named Keith over on the Lionel FastTrack System Yahoo Group was kind enough to pull together the RR-Track files. For those interested, here is the link - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/message/12384

 Thanks again.

 AJ

[rtraincollector]

AJ132

Wes, Thanks for the link. That is the correct layout.

 I would also be interested other members feedback on how I might make this layout better. Ideally I would like to be able to run 2 trains at the same time, but not sure how to make this happen given the space limitations. I do like the elevated track and I am thinking of putting a mountain in the area of the elevated section and a tunnel for the loop below rather than use the trestles. Any other ideas on how to spruce this layout up?

 FYI. I nice chap named Keith over on the Lionel FastTrack System Yahoo Group was kind enough to pull together the RR-Track files. For those interested, here is the link - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/message/12384

 Thanks again.

 AJ

to see that you must join the group on yahoo

[Wes Whitmore]

I like dogbone layouts...and smaller layouts like this one especially.  You will probably enjoy trains with cruise control the most.  I experimented with this a lot when I had a dogbone layout, and it can be done multiple ways.  I used a bridge rectifier (thanks Bob Nelson) to reduce voltages of my transformer to levels that kept my trains idle or crawling (instead of cutting power completely), then used MTH ITADs to detect when a train was safely out of the way, and applied a higher voltage to the idling train to make it move.  Was pretty simple, and worked well.  My main difference is that my loops were made long enough to get a second train through the switch before releasing the idling train out of the station.  I could even run 3 trains at a time if I wanted to, but at the time, I only owned 2 starter sets...layout was 13' long x 4' deep at the ends, 3' deep in the center section, hanging on the wall with stanley triangle hangers.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7091961121355212721&hl=en#

 

The mountain would be great too, and maybe you can still get a bridge in there as well. A pond would be nice as well!  Are you planning on putting this on a ping pong table, or just building a 5x9 table?

[AJ132]

Wes. Thanks again for the feedback. I also asked some folks at our local O-Guage club what they thought and the main feedback I received is if I could figure out how to use O-48 rather than O-36 curves it would give me a little more flexibility/realizm, but not sure yet I can make that work given the space limitation.

 I will be building my own benchwork. Even thought I could use a Ping Pong Table I find they are not that sturdy and plus I need the practice building my own benchwork. Plus if I do eventually get a larger space I am hoping to re-use the benchwork.

 Thanks again.

AJ

[Anonymous]

AJ,
There are a number of ways you could get two trains to run on this layout.

1. See Wes' post above. By entending the reversing loops you can get two trains on this layout, and possibly 3. You just need to have enough room within each loop to house two trains.

2. You could add the two switches at the top (marked optional) and extend those tracks around the edge and connect them. What is nice here is you have two independant, yet connected loops. If you could extend the reversing loops as in Wes' post AND add the two optional switches with the extra loop, that gives you 4 trains running on a really small foot print... THAT would be quite impressive!

[AJ132]

Hello Brent. Excellent feedback. I am hoping to be able to use 0-48 curves to extend the loops so that can each house one complete train. Just not sure yet if they will fit in the allotted space.

As for running the trains slow, this should not be a problem as I am planning on using MTH trains with DCS. This should allow me to dial in the SMPH to avoid collisions.

I also like your idea of extending the "optional" lines for an extra loop. Although I am not sure I could do that and stay within the 5x9 space limit if the extra loop is on the main level. One idea I am toying with is using the optional lines and connecting them underneath the layout, effectively giving me 3 levels. I could also add a yard on the underground portion to store trains when not in use.

All good stuff. You are helping get my creative juices flowing…

[Anonymous]

If you want to keep it 'tight' and not lose the layout's concept:

Move the right siding inside the lower reversing loop. This would give you plenty of room for two trains on the lower reversing loop. You could also extend the left siding by 1 full straight to give yourself a longer siding.

I would caution you about the use of a 'hidden yard' the reason being you need to see your trains in order to know what they are doing.

[dougdagrump]

Haven't tried it myself, yet. But with the DCS set-up you can create a "scenario" whereby you are essentially programing the actions of one or more trains on one or more routes and once you are finished you just start it up and the DCS controls the action.

I'll drop a note to Don B. to drop in when he has a free moment to add his on this.  

[nomthever]

aj i have built and have been running a layout on a ping pong table for the last ten years . i tried the layout plan you have mentioned in your post, but i have changed it so much in the last ten years that it looks nothing like the original now. one thing i did do is add an addition to it by building an 18 inch by 12 foot extension so i could run longer trainsand have somewhere to do some switching and also to add a reverse loop so i could chang the direction of the trains. i have no trouble running three trains on this layout at the same time, one long mixed freight a local passenger and a short work train. keep up the good work and dont be afraid to experiment with any track plan, you never know what you can do till you try it.