Hi All,
Starting in January I plan to put together my first big layout in years. After debating for a while on doing an "L" or a long run, based on the space available in my basement I decided to go with a 4X12 layout against with rollers on to pull it away from the wall when needed. Also am planning to do it in either 2 sections, 8X4 and 4X4 or 3 sections of 4X4 tables should I want to change it up in the future.
It will be O tubular with max O-31 curves and 3 pairs of L/R post-war 022 switches and plan on having a railyard utilizing 1 pair of the switches, and then a rural area transitioning to a small town. I have looked on THORTRAINS, and an old Greenberg layout book, but am not satisfied with those plans. Does anyone have any ideas on this or layout plans to share?
Thanks in advance.
My suggestion would be to use a minimum of 042 curves and a couple 042 switches if at all possible. There will eventually be locomotives that won't be able to navigate the 031curves and the 022 switches.
Bill T.
Unless you already purchased the track, I would recommend looking at FasTrack. I used 031 tubular track and switches on my first layout and had a lot of derailment problems with the switches. I generally traveled through some switches as slow as possible to avoid derailments.
I can travel through FasTrack switches at any reasonable speed, both forwards and backwards, with no concern for derailments. It is more expensive then tubular track, but well worth the investment. Nothing can put a chill on train operations faster then derailment problems.
FasTrack does not have the nostalgic factor of tubular track, but in my opinion, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Earl
MPCAnthony, For the track to use: It all has to do with C.P.V. to me. "Cost, Price, Value" I am in agreement with Bill T on the min 42" radius curves and switches. I have built my new layout’s main loop using 027 track in 42" and 54" curves with 42" switches and I bought it all new even though I had a lot of used 027 track. I did use used track in the switchyard and 027 curves in the smaller inner loop. If you want to use existing track you have then you may need to use more of what you have. If you have deeper pockets than I do, FasTrack is nice but noisy and switches are expensive and filled with electronic gismos that I would not be able to repair. It is also harder to make custom length sections with FasTrack but it can be done. Long story short. You will get a lot of advice, and it will all be good, but in the end it will be up to you. As for the layout design: Most of the same above goes to the layout design as well. If you need some sources on well priced 027 track send me a note. Keep us informed on your progress.
MPCAnthony,
For the track to use:
It all has to do with C.P.V. to me. "Cost, Price, Value" I am in agreement with Bill T on the min 42" radius curves and switches. I have built my new layout’s main loop using 027 track in 42" and 54" curves with 42" switches and I bought it all new even though I had a lot of used 027 track. I did use used track in the switchyard and 027 curves in the smaller inner loop.
If you want to use existing track you have then you may need to use more of what you have. If you have deeper pockets than I do, FasTrack is nice but noisy and switches are expensive and filled with electronic gismos that I would not be able to repair. It is also harder to make custom length sections with FasTrack but it can be done.
Long story short. You will get a lot of advice, and it will all be good, but in the end it will be up to you.
As for the layout design:
Most of the same above goes to the layout design as well.
If you need some sources on well priced 027 track send me a note.
Keep us informed on your progress.
Happy building.
Tks,
Kev.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Earl, I think FasTrack is very expensive. O-31 tubular is, by comparison, very cheap. I have restored all of my 86 022 switches, and they operate very reliably. Would I switch to FasTrack if I had the money to make the switch? Probably not. I might choose Gargraves or Atlas. I like the nostalgia of tubular track since that is what I had as a kid.
Thanks everyone for your advice. Based on my shallow pockets and that I already of the track and switches It's what I am going with for now. I did extensive research and all the new track options kept me going back to tubular. If I had the money I think I would go with Gargraves or maybe ScaleTrax if some of its issues are worked out.
I plan on starting a thread on my progress so stay tuned.
I would sugget that you plan for further layout expansion, beyond your initial design, whatever it may turn out to be.
I'm thinking from an operating perspective. As soon as I complete a layout enhancement, shortly thereafter I see how it would be more interesting if expanded and revised some more. However I'm primarily operating oriented, not display and scenery oriented.
To my mind no O gage layout can be big enough. Except possibly the one in Shartlesville Pennsylvania, I think it's called Roadside America.
runtime
Here's a few pages with plans you could adapt to your needs.
http://www.trainz.com/t-track-plans-ideas.aspx
http://www.lionellines.com/displays.html
Google search
You might also consider using a software designer.
Anyrail has a free trial version.
RR Track is the Cadillac and well worth the money, IMO. It's what I use.
I just used fastrack transition pieces to connect a 031 remote switch to my fastrack set up - seems to work great
I had problems with my fastrack remote switches not working right - I am sure it IS a wiring problem - I hope I can get some advice as to how to wire the switches from A CW80 Transformer ( constant power ) AUX side to my L and R remote fastrack switches ( I can't return them and paid $70.00 each for them )
Bill
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