I am aware of the 5 rail track made by Gargraves. I have heard that bending it is no small task to achieve curves. On another site there is plenty of discussion, photos and suggestions of making 5 rail track with USA Track. That is what I am considering.
Here is a YouTube video by Steve Eastman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84gGR_fO7ww
Fife,
Its that kind of thinking that allowed the Blueboard Central to overtake the last basement space.
Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
Taking a foot away from the family/tv room does carry "risks", but a risk I'm willing to make....
You have quite the view.
pennytrains Northwoods Flyer I hope to make some 5 rail track so that the outer oval will be dual gauge. I'm not very handy so I am not sure when that will happen.
I hope to make some 5 rail track so that the outer oval will be dual gauge. I'm not very handy so I am not sure when that will happen.
Northwoods Flyer I hope to make some 5 rail track so that the outer oval will be dual gauge. I'm not very handy so I am not sure when that will happen.
There was an article in CTT about doing that in a surprisingly simple way. Anybody remember the issue?
Same me, different spelling!
Northwoods Flyer I hope to make some 5 rail track so that the outer oval will be dual gauge. I'm not very handy so I am not sure when that will happen. The overall dimensions of the blue rectangle are 5'6" wide X 11' long. Thanks for the input. Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby Northwoods Flyer
The overall dimensions of the blue rectangle are 5'6" wide X 11' long.
Thanks for the input.
You mean like this :
https://www.gardnerthetraindoctor.com/ecommerce/gargraves/operating-specialty-track-products/501-201-37-%22-standard-and-o-gauge-multi-gauge-flex-track-with-wood-ties-and-tinplated-rails.html
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Adding a foot to the length would cut into the family room/TV area. Interesting that you mention the ore docks. Our house is up on the hill above the harbor. I can see the docks and the boats coming and going from our deck. In fact as I was typing this I could hear an outgoing ore boat signal the Ariel Bridge and the bridge signal back.
The docks are about 6 blocks to the west of us. Once the leaves fall we have an even better view. I will be looking at several options, however as Flintlock mentioned above my layout is really just a stage for the actors (trains) to do their stuff.
Northwoods - Might want to make it 12 ft, to keep the measurements (and cuts) simple. Also, if you need a little inspiration, look to your "back yard". There's a 3-tier trackage situation down by the docks. I also like the old brewery district in Duluth, with the trackage running just beneath. You have such a nice selection of buildings from the ol' Blueboard, shouldn't take long to mock up something.
Hi Northwoods,
one layout trick sometimes overlooked is what Fife was referring to:
use the vertical space. Stacking more than one level.
The Sky's the limit!
just a thought....
Paul
The plan is to stick with a walk around "island" style of layout. The walls will be filled with Rail Rax to display the collection. The last layout was up against the wall and made access to the trains difficult. The table will be 30" away from each of the two walls to provide walking space and access to under table storage . I placed some track in the blue outlined rectangle and discovered that I will need to widen it by about 6" to allow things to fit comfortably. I will take the 45 degree corners into consideration.
So here is an oval of O gauge Fastrack (during the PreWar era Flyer called O gauge "Narrow Gauge" and Standard Gauge was called "Wide Gauge").
I found the box of Wide Gauge track and put some down to check the space.
6 additional inches in width will give a bit of breathing space. I hope to make some 5 rail track so that the outer oval will be dual gauge. I'm not very handy so I am not sure when that will happen.
Northwoods - Yes, eliminate any "notch". If you're staying with the walk-around, Island style layout, may want to angle off the corners at 45 degrees. When you say "narrow" gauge, what are you referring to? You can get a lot of railroad in this space; think vertical. What's your overall layout dimension?
Northwoods FlyerI am an old school layout designer i.e throw the track down and see what you can make fit.
You sound a little bit like me. My philosophy's always been get the trains up and running as soon as you can, everything else can follow in due course.
Getting the trains running gives you a sense of accomplishment, plus, in my opinion anyway, the trains are the actors and the layout's the stage. Good actors can give a great performance on a bare stage, but the most elaborately dressed stage is useless without the actors.
Does that make sense?
I have been spending most of my "train time" setting up my train office and sorting through boxes and organizing. The other day I had the urge to get started on the layout.
Most of this space is designated as layout space and display.
I am an old school layout designer i.e throw the track down and see what you can make fit. I envisioned a folded dogbone with both Narrow and Wide gauge track. So I taped out the outline of the space that I was allowing for a layout on the floor.
I am not much of an operator, however I do want some place to see the trains run and plunk down accessories. I decided not to make the layout as large as the one in the last house.
Once the outline was down I threw down some track.
What a disappointment. I rediscovered my poor ability to judge just how much space my imagined layout would take up. It took several days before I could even look at the space again.
So its back to the drawing board.
No notch and probably only two loops; one of Narrow gauge and one of Wide gauge - if I can find the Wide gauge track.
In the meanwhile the walls need to be painted and different lighting installed.
To be continued....
If you're near Cumberland, Maryland, on a Friday or Saturday, hop off 68 at Exit 43C, and check out the Cumberland RR Museum. Free to the public, and presented by the Western Maryland chapter of the NRHS.
Inside, you'll find displays and artificats on all of the railroads that traversed the Cumberland area, the big 2 being B&O and WM.
I'm sporting my shweeet Chessie System mask, sold be the C&O RR Historical Society (Chessieshop.com).
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