Is Double Decking Feasible with O Scale (On30)?

[Anonymous]

I'm a big fan of narrow gauge railroading, and I have a small amount of Sn3 equipment, and I'm planning a 24' x 17' layout for my basement.

Due to the "explosion" of On30 in recent years, and the increased availability of equipment, I'm considering going the On30 route. The downside is, of course, is that everything would be "bigger", which would decrease the scale length of my mainline.

I'm wondering what the feasibility is of double decking an O scale layout. Is anyone doing this, or is the deck spacing required just too great?

BTW, I don't think I want to get into the complexity of a mushroom style layout.

John
Underhill, VT

[rrinker]

Sure it's possible. As you mentioned, you need a bit of clearance between decks. You might be able to get enough rise just running around you walls on a grade, if not your only option is a helix.
If you go straight around the walls on those dimensions, that's roughly a 1000 inches, at a 1.5% grade that gets you 15". If your track plan actually snakes out along some penninsulas, then you have an even longer run and can get a greater rise while still having some level areas.

--Randy

[orsonroy]

It's more than doable. You've got a 17x24 room, which (if you've REALLY got all that space to play with) equates to a 130 foot run per level (as an around the walls design with a center peninsula. Personally, I'd have TWO peninsulas and two levels for the layout, giving me a 356 foot mainline). With a 1% grade (easy for virtually any engine) that gives you 15.6" of clearance between decks, which is REALLY good (130 feet of run = 1560 inches). Even if you increase your mainline grade to 1.5% and flatten out any town area, you should end up with the same sort of clearance.

[rrinker]

Really makes me with my space was more square. Sure, I have 50' down the long wall - but it's only 6' wide for half that, and 12' for the other half. I'd gladly give up 20' of length for an extra 10' of width.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Thanks Ray,

I neglected to mention that the stairway coming down to the basement takes out a chunk of that 17x24 space, so two peninsulas isn't really feasible. I also got the long dimension wrong - its actually 26'. Even better, huh?

I've done lots of playing around with my options for the space, and the best basic shape for the idea is the following:



John

[Anonymous]

Check out Dave Adam's track plan in MR in 2000. He is in on3 and has a space very similar to yours and is double decked in a unique way.. This layout is a very good example of what you are after. Hopefully somew one can help us out with the issue...

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tip Guy. I'm sure I've seen the plan - I have all the issues from that year, but my house didn't exist then, so it didn't catch my attention.

I'll definitely check it out tonight! Thanks again,

John