Suggestions for Newbie Next Steps in Layout...

[Anonymous]

Hi -

I am pretty much a newbie to model railroading. I have been reading posts and learning here as my kids and I have assembled our o-gauge three rail layout. Whether you know it or not you have been really helpful - thanks!

What started as a 4x8 oval on the floor is now a 12 x 8 sort of C shaped layout on tables we built. It's something that we plan to have up all year now. We recently had all six of my nieces and nephews over for a train party and now my brothers all have a basic starter set at home. A bunch of fun.

Here's my question: I am looking to expand my layout a bit and make something that allows for some interesting action and for some flexibility for expansion (when I spend too much on some accessory) plus has good visibility for kids watching and operating. I always thought I would have a few concentric loops with operators in the center, but wonder if this gets a bit "old" quickly. I have read about point to point layouts, but just have loop experience. Would like to know what you all would recommend as a next step for a layout. The pluses and minuses you might have seen in your experience. Also, I am considering moving to larger dia curves than 31" - I am thinking 54".

Apologies for the long post. Really would appreciate reading about your thoughts and suggestions.

Happy holidays and THANKS

C. Ogden

[turbine682]

Check out these planning books - they contain a wealth of info, ideas, etc., etc.

Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong (Mr. Armstrong is considered the Dean of Track Planning)

Realistic Track Plans for O Gauge Trains (from the publishers of CTT)

Have fun and Merry Xmas!

[brianel027]

CO, not a long post at all, at least compared to some of what I've written: check out thesurvey on attracting newcomers to the hobby. Check out this website: http://www.thortrains.net

It's literally the BEST website available to answer the newcomers questions. You'll get lots of ideas. I gather you're using '0' tubular track: keep in mind you can add a half-straight between every 31 inch curve track to get a bigger circle. You'll probably want to keep the operating accessories that need participation up front, like the operating crane or the barrel loader. Things like the operating gateman, revolving beacon, the MTH operating frieght/passenger platforms, the 364 log loader, operating billboard, etc. can go in the back out of immediate reach.
Lots of sidings are fun, as well as a reverse loop (or cut-across in an oval) so you can change direction, or back the train up to change direction again. A passing siding is also fun.
A general rule of thumb for kids is to make sure operating accessories interact with the trains to load or unload. And keep room at the front for some roads so the kids can play with their automobiles and trucks. I built a road with a ramp on my nephew's layout. He can roll a car down the hill where it races up to the train track. But the car always stops as I made ridges in the road just before the grade crossing.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION!! Let the kids make suggestions and you make their suggestions reality (with their help too!). I always keep a sharp eye at toy stores for things that can be used on the train layout. I found this farm tractor with a conveyor belt trailer... so I cobbed the trailer belt trailer to fit on a couple of Lionel Trestles... mounted it in the corner on a curve (a tough space to usually put something that will fit!) and he loves it. He can manually load up a gondola.
Also keep loads simple. I replaced the coal load on the Lionel Coal Dump Car with a load of popsicle sticks - so if there's an accident, the mess is easy to clean up unlike the tiny coal pieces. We take the colored plastic caps off orange juice containers and cut them in half... they make a colorful load for gondolas that is also easy to pick up versus the coal. We take Pepsi liter bottle caps, glue them together, spray paint them black, put a little self-sticking magnet on them, and we have an industrial barrel load that can be used with his operating crane.
One day we were at the store we my nephew spotted some flourescent orange drinking straws and said they could be a radioactive pipe load. "Great idea" I told him. Now I've got him using his brain thinking and looking for ideas on the train layout, which makes me happy,
Also, start off simple and as you run the trains, you'll start thinking of ideas... "we should have a switch here so the train can..." Maybe leave some room for an elevated loop in the back or on the side where a trolley, Budd Car or passenger train can be run... build a small elevated area for the MTH operating passenger platform... a perfect spot.
Look at the train mags too! I love seeing the layout stories and how guys take the very same items we all have and do something unique with them.
Most of all just have fun.
Hope I helped..... brianel