Actually, I see the opportunity for a loop-to-loop run at opposite ends of that trestle. Just sayin'...
Thanks, but Im not sure where the down slope would connect back to one of the loops?
I would be tempted to use that trestle to cross over the track (center), in lieu of hooking right and descending again. That would give credence to heading UPgrade to the mine, creating the need for the railroad to get there. It would also make for an interesting over/under junction, with visual interest.
Ive been working on adding the lionel 110 trestle set to this layout. To get the room, I had to eliminate the 90 degree crossover of the outer loop and add the ess shaped trestle inside loop C. The only thing I cant do now is reverse the train on the outer loop when going CCW which Im willing to forgo since that loop is really for the long locos that cant go inside anyway.
Any comments? I know its a busy layout but i wanted to get the trestle in as it makes for interesting views and I can put a trolley track under it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/195402843@N06/?
Yes, the switch machine is powered completely independently from the track. It's just two coils sharing one common connection, not like the Lionel scheme where the common between the coils is internally connected to the center rail and hard to separate from it.
Bob Nelson
OK, thanks again Bob.
Will look for some to try out. Is it easy to convert them to run on accessory power if needed?
In the meantime im going to try and figure out how to add a trestle set.
Bob
Not non-derailing, but you can create control rails on the trailing-point side to get that function. What voltage they will need is much like other postwar turnouts--best determined by experiment.
Like Lionel O27 turnouts, there is a risk of burning out the switch-motor coils by parking a train on the turnout. You should use a capacitive-discharge circuit if you are doing non-derailing.
OK, thanks Bob I will look around for some. Are they non-derailing and can they be powered by accessory or just track voltage??
In the meantime I can play (layout) with Anyrail using Marx 0 gauge library. They have the 034 in there. No 027 library but it wont matter for a 2D layout.
Yes, I use Marx O34 remote-control turnouts. I don't know a model number, but this text is molded into the black plastic top cover:
Louis Marx & Co. Inc. / 034 / REMOTE CONTROL SWITCH
I find that these work much better with a ~2" guard rail tack-soldered onto the curved running rail, opposite the frog.
L shaped layouts make for excellent videos.
lionelsoni I was surprised that no one had mentioned O34 and resolved to do it today! O34 handily fills the radius gap between O27 and O42. My O27 layout uses O27 (Marx or Lionel, 12.5" radius), O34 (Marx, 15.75"), O42 (K-Line, 20.25"), O54 (K-Line, 26.375"), and O72 (K-Line, 35.25"). I have an outside loop that has no curves tighter than O34, where I can run anything meant for O31. One of those outside curves, O72-O34-O72, is particularly effective in giving the illusion of spaciousness.
I was surprised that no one had mentioned O34 and resolved to do it today! O34 handily fills the radius gap between O27 and O42.
My O27 layout uses O27 (Marx or Lionel, 12.5" radius), O34 (Marx, 15.75"), O42 (K-Line, 20.25"), O54 (K-Line, 26.375"), and O72 (K-Line, 35.25"). I have an outside loop that has no curves tighter than O34, where I can run anything meant for O31. One of those outside curves, O72-O34-O72, is particularly effective in giving the illusion of spaciousness.
Bob, does Marx have O34 turnouts, and is that what you use in conjunction with the track? Good as Lionel turnouts?
yes I see they have the turnouts but finding the ones that are 027 profile are hard on ebay. Many folks selling dont know what they have. Do you have PNs?
I think for the 034 curve, 1810 are O track and 1590 is 027, but not sure.
This may help: Marx made a ton of 034 curve track: it is exactly the same rail profile as 027. It also offers longer straights and 034 switches. Good used track can be found on that Evil--- auction site.
The Glen Rock (PA) VFD has a huge model train open house each holiday season. Their huge O gauge layout is laid exclusively with O-27 tubular track. They run big dollar scale equipment, that runs smoothly over the lower profile trackage. It's impressive to see two PRR centipede diesels traverse this track with zero hiccups.
I even use some O-27 tubular over some of my bridges, and the hidden loops on my inside line.
Not sure what your space constraints are, Bob, but right up front I'd add about 3 foot more benchwork, at a 45 degree angle, smack dap in the middle. Avoid the temptation to throw more trackage along the edge, but create a scenic view block instead. Just my .
Sounds good TLB! It looks like you know what you're doing!
Just so you know, I did run my Williams Berkshire on 027 curves with no problems as long as I kept the speed reasonable, but I've got an Atlas coal hopper car that rated for 031 curves that wouldn't go through those curves without jamming. So watch it! All 031 items are not created equal.
Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I'll explain a little more of my thinking and constraints that I've placed on this layout.
Regarding O27 gauge track, I am committed to that because I have so much of it collected over the years, starting in the 50's, along with the turnouts. At that time it was all 27 inch curve, and still have a lot of that. I've recently added (since I just found out about it), 042, 054 curves and some 042 curved turnouts that were made in MPC era. I have not found 031 turnouts (nor 031 curved track) with O27 track profile but that would be nice to try in the inner loops, although Anyrail does not even have it in their track selection program. I only discovered the 042 turnouts because they were a selection in Anyrail.
Also, I'm kind of stuck with 027 turnouts in the inner loops since I am using 4x8 sheets as a base table and want lots of track action.
The turnouts have been modified to run on accessory power instead of track, which was my biggest complaint.
All my big engines can go through the 027 turnout as long as they are going straight through. They even go around 027 curve track in my currect layout. However with this new layout I am using 042 and 054/027/054 in the outer loop. My Berkshire, 741 and 681 turbine can even turn through the 027 turnout if I go at a certain speed in a specific direction.
So with my new layout I'm hoping to be content to run the big boys in the outer loop and run the smaller stuff, (2055, 2046, 2023, etc) in the inner loops.
Ellie, reading the post I saw "It's all 027 track," and to my admittedly fossilized mind 027 track means just that, 027 straights and curves.
But if he's got some 027 profile track with larger curve radii then I stand corrected! All I remember is the 027 track that was around when I was a kid during the Pleistocene Era. There were only 027 curves and you were stuck with 'em!
That being said, I'd still go with 031 trackage.
Bob didn't say what brand of track he's planning on using. If he's using Atlas 027 I can say it's top-notch stuff, I used Atlas 027 track for my trolley loop.
(Just remember to clean the rust inhibitor off the rails before you try to run anything, otherwise it won't work!)
My suggestion is to not use O27 track. It's made of a lesser material and more readily shifts out of guage and you have more derailments. Also the switches are of poor quality.
Flintlock, double check the post- there are broader curves, just 027 profile trackI agree though, that O-31 is a better minimum curve, since anything vintage (with the exception of the Lionel prewar M10000) will negotiate 0-31 without issue. But the bigger reason I'd reccomend for O-31, is turnouts. I'm not sure how easy it is to get any O27 profile turnouts with broader curved legs, I presume K line is the only one out there who made them. Feel free to correct me. But you won't be able to use postwar switches on the layout for anything that a bigger locomotive needs to navigate.But it does look to me like you already have a set of criterea, and designed a track plan that meets those criterea. So all this input might be entirely superfluous, in which case sorry 'bout all that I really like how there's room to run three trains at once, or have the room to swap a train between the two inner loops, and be able to switch between clockwise and counterclockwise laps without having to back the train through a switch in order to turn the train around. And the obligitory dead end track for running gang cars, fire cars, and trolleys!-Ellie
"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"
That's a great looking track plan, and I wish I had the room for something like it!
The ONLY suggestion I'd make is instead of using 027 track I'd use 031 for the greater versatility it will provide. Even though you're running post-wars 031 curves will be much more tolerant of various types of cars and locomotives than 027 would be. But you know your needs far better than I do.
Im going to try and insert the track plan. Never did this but will see if it works.
I'm developing a new track layout for my L shaped table about 12' x 12' and am looking for comment or suggestions. I have attached the plan link in jpg from AnyRail. (I hope it works). I have little experience in a layout this large (or AnyRail) and looking for any help to either make it better or not do something I may regret. There are some gaps and overlap of track since I dont know how to customize the tubular track in AnyRail. But the track is forgiving enough that I can make it work.
It all O27 track, and I have O27, O42, and O54 curves.
My guidelines in developing this are:
Stay with Postwar look and feel, since that is 90% of what I have
Focus on operating trains and Lionel Accessories, and Plasticville buildings not landscaping. I have many accessories right now.
Have some side tracks for storage and accessories
Have 3 independent loops to run 3 trains simultaneously.
Have an outer loop that can run the larger engines for O track, e.g. Lionel 736, 746, TMs
Be able to reverse any of the 3 trains.
Run two trains on the outer loop with blocked segments to avoid collisions and have some automation.
I'd also like to add a trestle and bridge but that may be beyond the scope right now and I haven't figured out where to put it. I'm avoiding doing that on the outer loop where I want to pull long consists.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51995337290_28817240bd_b.jpg
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