FasTrack Xmas Layout

[Anonymous]

I know there are a number of FasTrack layouts out there, but I'm looking for a "twice-around" for the Xmas tree, I need something that will fit in a roughly 6' by 6' area around the tree preferably using the 45 degree crossing track.

If any of you have skills or software, maybe you can help me. Trigonometry is not hard for me, but it seems like a lot of work to manually figure out the tracks since it doesn't quite line up right with the 45 degree crossing.

I could also stomach the 90 degree crossing with the standard half figure-8 as the inner loop, but I'd really prefer the tracks be closer together all the way around the tree...

Thanks to any who try for me!

Side note, my track consists of only the 40" by 60" starter right now so there aren't going to be any wasted pieces, it's going to be a Christmas morning from Santa for my 5- and 2-year-old (and their dad!), next year will be HO or N on a board but I want the Xmas layout to be more than just a circle/oval this year and every year.

I can already see the "twice around" going once around the tree and once around the living room next year hehehe. My wife fears the quote on the Lionel box (I already bought the SW Special Freight set): "everything you need to start your railroad empire" or something like that.

Does anyone know why Lionel doesn't make 3-6-9-12" straights? They would work sooo much better with the 36-48-60-72-84 radii they make.

[ARRCDSPR]

 How about something like this with 042 curve on the outside and half 036 connected to the 45 crossover.  You would need 2 5 inches and 2 1 and 3/4s:

or this is like I had last year with remote switches lets you turn the train around:

SMK

[lionelsuperotrack]

If you are interested in FasTrack here is a NEW Yahoo group focused upon FasTrack:

               Lionel_FasTrack_System Yahoo Group
   ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_FasTrack_System/ )

Very best, Mike

Lionel_SuperO_Track Yahoo Group
( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lionel_SuperO_Track/ )

"Super O" + Marx Guides Which are GREAT!!
( http://search.reviews.ebay.com/members/lionelsuperotrack_W0QQuqtZg )

[Lafondue]

2 nice layout for Christmas specially the top one...only issue is Fastrack don't come in 42....48 should do the trick if space is not an issue otherwise using 36 should work also.

[Anonymous]

Hey thanks, I think the top one is exactly what I'm looking for!

Has anyone ever put one of these layouts together like this, my "math" suggests almost a 1/4" difference in the lengths of the straights (25" to about 24 3/4"), doees FasTrack have enough play in it to accomplish this without derailments, etc?

If someone can answer that I'll be off to the LHS to check out their track supply...

Homer

[ARRCDSPR]

Opps that was a typo.  I meant to say 048 curve on the ouside loop.  Also on the first plan if you use a 4.5 inch to connect the inside loop instead of the 5 inch it should fit better.  If you can spare a little more room (7.5 feet by 5.5 feet) you can go 3 times around.  Like this:

It would have 036 on the inner loop 048 on the middle loop 060 on the outer loop - probably cost you around $200 bucks  for track if you only have the 40X60 track set.  If you are interested I could tell you the track list.  Thortrains.net also has some great fastrack plans.

Also I highly recommend RR track software... easy to use and well worth the 60 bucks.

SMK

[MartyE]

I'm interested.  Nice designs for a lot of fun!  Please list the track for both.

[ARRCDSPR]

Okay here you go:

For the twice around

NUMBER  DESCRIPTION                                       PRICE   TOTAL
(8)     FasTrack O36 45° curve 12015                            3.49   27.92
(4)     FasTrack 10 in straight 12014                               3.49   13.96
(4)     FasTrack O36 22.5° curve 12022                         2.99   11.96
(1)     FasTrack 45° cross 12051                                    16.99   16.99
(2)     FasTrack 1.75 in straight 12026                             2.99    5.98
(12)    FasTrack O48 30° curve 12043                           3.49   41.88
(1)     FasTrack 5 in straight 12024                                 2.99    2.99
(1)     FasTrack 4.5 in straight 12025                              2.99    2.99
        Total of 33 items costing                                         124.67

        Grand total of 33 items costing                                   124.67

Here is for 3 times around

NUMBER  DESCRIPTION                                        PRICE   TOTAL
(4)     FasTrack 10 in straight 12014                               3.49   13.96
(8)     FasTrack O36 45° curve 12015                            3.49   27.92
(8)     FasTrack O36 22.5° curve 12022                         2.99   23.92
(2)     FasTrack 45° cross 12051                                   16.99   33.98
(12)    FasTrack O48 30° curve 12043                           3.49   41.88
(4)     FasTrack 1.75 in straight 12026                             2.99   11.96
(16)    FasTrack O60 22.5° curve 12056                        4.99   79.84
(1)     FasTrack 5 in straight 12024                                 2.99    2.99
(1)     FasTrack 4.5 in straight 12025                              2.99    2.99
        Total of 56 items costing                                         239.44

        Grand total of 56 items costing                                   239.44

The RR Track Software is pretty good I am sure it would fit tight.

Good luck,

SMK

[MartyE]

Cool!  Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for checking that measurement for me, the "thrice around" is probably too much to get past the Xmas review committee (Marge), but the twice around will be part of the decorations in the future.

I did check prices at a site I like, trainexpress.com, although tbh I haven't bought anything there yet.

NUMBER	DESCRIPTION	Price	Total
8	FasTrack O36 45° curve 12015	Incl in Set	$0.00
4	FasTrack 10 in straight 12014	Incl in Set	$0.00
4	FasTrack O36 22.5° curve 12022	$2.10	$8.40
1	FasTrack 45° cross 12051	$11.85	$11.85
2	FasTrack 1.75 in straight 12026	$2.10	$4.20
12	FasTrack O48 30° curve 12043	$2.40	$28.80
1	FasTrack 5 in straight 12024	$2.10	$2.10
1	FasTrack 4.5 in straight 12025	$2.10	$2.10
33	Total		$57.45

Figuring in that I've already bought the O36 curves and 10" straights, I only need about $58 in track plus I'm guessing $10 or so in shipping. I might try to put together the track at the local hobby store, if they let me play I'll probably buy some of the track there, if anyone is familiar with America's Best Hobby in Itasca, IL they have a decent-sized O-gauged oval that entertains my kids while I drool over things I don't have the money to buy or patience to make a proper layout for, so my track total will probably be closer to $75 not $65-70.

MartyE, let me know what you put together (my thread is hijacked doh!) maybe we can learn from each other...

 

[HopperSJ]

Homer, I too am looking to do the same thing and was hoping on a twice around the tree loop. I've been playing with RR-track since last night and can't seem to create anything smaller that what you see above. It is a nice little twice around but a little loooong for me. I was hoping to keep it 4x5 or so.

By the way, I know what you mean about the "review committee". I was discovered this morning on the computer (with the layout planner up) and was told - "All I want is a simple circle around the tree. I gave you complete control over the layout and even gave up my sewing room. Please, can't I just have this one thing: a simple circle around the tree?!?"

Now that I think about it, I better learn when to put the software away and just say "yes, dear". Some things are more valuable than a cool Christmas tree layout, no?

[ARRCDSPR]

I feel your pain as well. Fortunately this year we are renovating a home and staying in a large apartment while construction is going on.  I was able to get 9x5 feet okayed through the "Director of Real Estate". Anyway, I forgot about the 22 Crossover and this is the smallest I could get a twice around.  It fits in a space 5.5x4 feet. Now there would be a gap about .16 of an inch on the outside loop but I think that would be okay.

Hope that helps Hopper!

SMK

[HopperSJ]

Thanks ARRCDSPR,

Interestingly, while I was home for lunch today I managed to pull off nearly the identical design that you did. I was just about to post it. I also came up with another design that would fit into a 5 x 4 space that I really like but it would require fabricating my own crossover. I think I could pull it off, but am not entirely sure. Anyone ever done that before?