First Layout - 4 X 8 using EZ Track ?

[TrampTrader]

Hi Friends,

OK, here goes. I'm getting ready to build my first layout, using Bachmann EZ Track on a standard 4 X 8 sheet of plywood. I was considering running two separate trains, an outside basic oval, passenger train run and and inside oval, freight train run. Using the EZ Track, will I be able to have the 2 ovals running parallel if I use a 22" radius outer oval and an 18" radius inside oval ? Do you folks think that the 22" radius outer oval will fit on the 4 X 8 sheet, without extending over the edge of the plywwod ? Would it be possible "shrink" the outer oval size by using someting like a 1/2 length piece of the 22" radius curved track ? If these type of questions have previously been answered on this board, please accept my apology for re-asking, but I am new to the hobby and feel a little lost. I have purchased several of the introduction to HO railroading books from Kalmbach, but can't seem to find much info about EZ Track dimensions. Thanks in advance for any advice and opinions which you can offer.

TrampTrader,

Pete :-)

[Lattayards]

I use EZ track, 22" radius takes about 46", so, yes it will fit on a 4 x 8 sheet. And the 18" radius fits within the 22", so what you want to do will work.

[Rotorranch]

With a little basic wiring, and a few electrical switches, you can even connect the 2 ovals with a couple turnouts, and add more operation to the layout!

I use Atlas Selectors for the electrical switches.

Rotor

[Lattayards]

If you want to stay with EZ Track you can do the same thing using the EZ Track crossover, it fits fine between the 18" and 22" loops.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I also use EZ-Track and run two continuous-run tracks, all 18" radius. I have two points where the tracks connect through crossovers (made of #4 turnouts). So yes, what you want to do 22" and 18" will fit on a 4x8 sheet.

[stebbycentral]

 Would it be possible "shrink" the outer oval size by using someting like a 1/2 length piece of the 22" radius curved track ? TrampTrader,

To answer this specific question.  No, it won't work.  The function of these fractional sections of snap track that the manufacturers make is to close the gaps that result when you have an irregular track design.  That is track that is not just set up in straight lines or circles.  But you can't use a partial section of track to shrink the diameter of a circle or semi-circle.

Snap track is manufactured so that a specific number of sections of track will make up a complete circle.  If you remove or shorten one of those sections all you have is a circle with a hole in it.  The only way to shrink the diameter of a circle using snap track is to use a smaller radius of track. 

Going the other way however, it is possible to effectively expand the diameter of a circle by inserting a whole or half piece of straight track at some point inside it.  That is done quite commonly in MRR track plans.

[shlbygt500]

yes it will work i have the ez track with 22 outer oval and a 18 Inner circle

[Been Nothing Since Frisco (BNSF)]

another thought is to have the inside loop 22" radius and the out side is 22" radius and a 3" straight section in the half-way point of the turn that way you can still rune 6 axle locos on both lines.

[wjstix]

Well first off, welcome aboard !!

Yes 22" radius curves are designed to fit inside a 4' wide sheet of plywood...and yes an 18" radius loop of track will fit nicely inside of a 22" radius oval.

However, be aware that in HO scale 18" radius track is considered "sharp" and is really a bare minimum for HO standard gauge trains. Even 22" is considered fairly sharp. Many passenger cars (like Walthers cars) won't take 22" radius curves, they require 24" or larger. Most layouts you see in MR or RMC have a minimum radius of 30" or greater.

Plus, I don't know how long having two trains in a small space running round and round would hold your interest. I'd suggest having a single loop of 22" radius track, possibly a little bit peanut shaped to break up the oval shape, with room for a couple of industries for your trains to serve. Generally smaller engines (four axles diesels, small steam like 0-6-0 / 0-8-0 switchers, or a 2-8-0 or maybe 2-8-2) with 40'-50' freight cars will look better on 22" curves. Athearn and the MDC 60' Harriman cars (now made by Athearn) are passenger cars that will work on those curves, so you could still have a 2-3 car passenger train to alternate with the freight train.

Bachmann's website and catalogue should have more information on their EZ track line.

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/index.php

[TrampTrader]

Hello, Lattayards, Rotor, Jeffrey, stebbyc., shlbygt, BNSF and Stix.

Thank You all for your kind welcome, your responses and your advice. You folks have already given me some new layout ideas. After writing my post and reading your comments, I'm thinking of having an outside 22" radius oval for my IHC CNJ "Blue Comet" (4-6-2 Loco) &  "Blue Comet" Passenger Train mainline, and an 18" radius curve 1/2 dogbone inside loop for my small Mantua Steam Loco (PRR Line) and 40' PRR freight train consist, to work in a small yard or industry. My first research indicates that the PRR operated a good many freight trains in addition to the CNJ during my time frame of 1931 thru 1941. I think this could be an interesting first layout adventure. Already, I'm having a lot of fun planning this out and trying to get it on paper, as a first step. Trying to do it all, in my really limited space (4 X 8), I'm guessing will be a challenge. I hope to take pictures to record it all, and eventually post them on the forums. Thanks again to all of you folks for your help.

If anyone else has any other advice or thoughts, I would appreciate your sharing them with me.

 

Pete  :-)

[Autobus Prime]

TT:

You *can* make a dithered intermediate radius by alternating 18" and 22" sections, which will give you an effective radius something like 20". Atlas has used this in their planbooks. Example: Their Great Eastern Trunk plan.

Lots of standard gauge equipment will work fine on 18" and snap-switches or no 4's. Stick to the four-axle diesels, freight cars 65' or less (perhaps 72' with care) and shorty passenger cars. Some 6-axle diesels do work. As you don't go in for the dismal-electrics, my roster which consists of a Bowser H9 and smaller steam works fine on my 18" curves, as probably would most mass-market Mikados and Pacifics.

One recent layout in MR had 12" radius HO curves. The owner used small steam switchers and short cars. It was something. I'd have to see it run, however.




It /will/ be an interesting railroad adventure. You have also picked a prototype and era I am growing to like very much - the classic PRR before the war, diesels, and duplexes. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me; I might have bummed the answer off somebody already. Bowser has lots of metal PRR locos and plastic PRR freight cars and cabooses, so equipment is easier than for many railroads.

Do try to find out how people make their track plans. You won't necessarily want the independent loops forever, but you can always rearrange and reconfigure.

[wjstix]

A good thing is the era you're modelling was one where 40' freight cars were standard, which will work well (and look good) on even your 18" radius track. You could even throw in a few 50' cars, and a few 36' reefers too.

The IHC cars should work on even the 18" radius curves, but will have a lot of overhang even on the 22" radius curves. Be sure to only use passenger cars with truck mounted couplers like IHC, Athearn, MDC or Rivarossi. Body mounted couplers won't work on curves that sharp for passenger cars, even shorter 60' cars may have trouble on them.

I hope you're taking advantage of the many books on trackplanning that are available, Armstrong's "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" is kind of the bible of trackplanning. Westcott's "101 Trackplans" is a classic too, and there are several Kalmbach books aimed at small to mid-sized layouts.

BTW not to be a downer but I do still think you'd be better off with one "loop" of 22" track, and alternate running passenger and freight trains. I think you're going to find that packing two separate lines together on a small layout isn't going to leave much room for scenery, structures etc.

 

[TrampTrader]

 

Thanks Autobus and Stix. I appreciate your advice and suggestions.

A. Prime, I will definitely check out the Bowser line of Classic PRR rolling stock, and am truly gratefull for your offer of future PM information.

Stix, I will look for the Armstrong and Westcott Track Planning Books and will also give more thought to my two train layout plan as you suggest.

It's a little overwhelming when you're first trying to get into this hobby, but great fun and excitement also. I'm trying to start small & simple as a way to gain the necessary experience required to advance to more sophisticated layouts.

 

Pete  :-)

[wjstix]

One of the nice things about the track-with-roadbed products is that you can do a little at a time, like just start with a simple loop of track and then add turnouts and track and change things around to see how you like it before you make it permanent. 

BTW on Bachmann's homepage they show right up front a new book called "EZ Model Railroads" about building a layout using EZ Track....

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/index.php 

[TrampTrader]

 

 

Thanks Stix, I think that the new Bachmann EZ Track Layout Book will be a good investment for newbies like myself.

 

Pete  :-)

[SpaceMouse]

You might also take a look at my Beginner's Guide to Layout Design, clickable below. Takes about 5 minutes to read.

[TrampTrader]

 

Chip,

Thank You very much, for the informative, Space Mouse Beginner's Layout Guide. That was very considerate of you, and I really appreciate your advice.

 

 

Pete  :-)