Hi, I was working yesterday on my track plan and come up with this(Actually made it, preparing to make the benchwork, getting ready to order stuff). I will leave a link below to my track plan. Also, is there a power supply that is smaller and just for switches(My MRC Tech 6, not pictured doesn't have any power for switches)?
Thanks
https://imgur.com/a/jVDsn5Q
I would suggest a very simple trackplan. Yes you could have a 22"R with a 18"R oval inside it, but I would suggest doing a 22"R oval and use the turnouts to make a couple of spur tracks going to industries. I think you'll find that allows for more scenery, and will be more intersting in the long run.
I have something similar on my layout, a separate "high line" that's a 22"R oval with only 9" straights, so only 44" by 53". A turnout is fit into one of the curves, which leads to another turnout that has one spur going to a warehouse and another to a team track. I mainly built it to have a place to do break-in runs and DCC programming etc. while my larger layout is being (slowly) built, but I actually find it is fun to operate. With a good engine (I often use a Bachmann 2-10-0) a train of 4 cars and a caboose can take over a minute to go once around the oval.
SIW = Staten Island West my fictional railroad
Joe Staten Island West
JkapHi, I was wondering how would you eliminate the S-curve?
You would need a "Right" rather than a "Left" turnout coming out of the curve and leading into the crossover. Something like this:
The curves might still be too tight for your long passenger cars -- and other have noted, there are likely better overall track arrangements in the space.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
In attempting to offer encouragement, the advice of others may seem discouraging. But, you will quickly find that the limitations of a 4x6 under-the-bed layout will take you in one of two directions, either out of the hobby or deeper into it. Hopefully, it will be the latter.
I will say this. An HO scale 4x6 layout is simply too small to do much of anything except to maybe run a 4 axle diesel with a few 40' freight cars.
Even if they somehow don't derail, 85' passenger cars are not designed for 18" radius curves. Find some "shorties" on eBay. You will be much happier.
Regarding the track configuration, it has its limitations as well. If you run a train clockwise on the inner loop and then switch to the outer loop, there is no provision to return to the inner loop. If you run a train counter clockwise on the outer loop and then switch to the inner loop, there is no provision to return to the outer loop. A larger layout, even a 4x8, would give you the space to add turnouts to move back and forth between the two loops.
Good luck and don't get discouraged.
Rich
Alton Junction
Hello JK,
As a club with a high number of beginners, I instigated a 6x4 layout on 2 3x4 Foam Blocks which part of the history is documented on the following site
http://xdford.freeasphost.net/stag19.html
The layout plan was simpler than yours using Peco/Hornby Radius 2 and 3 curves (17.75"and 20.5"" radius) but you could make the yard work a bit more interesting. Because it is demountable foam you could add a third section as a fiddle yard which would make your operation more interesting and still have good storage.
The buildings were all removable so the storage space was not high and with the setting up the change of the buildings, people and cars positions means that the play value for the kids has changed.
Our club junior members loved setting it up and running their trains when working bees were on and the imaginative gears were "lubricated" as we had a number of buildings which they could also make from foam core base as you may find elsewhere on my web site.
Hope this helps but well done for getting them started! And I hope you enjoy the journey too!
Regards from Australia
Trevor
joe323 Ok heres my thoughts. the original SIW was a 4 x 6 with a built in extension built with EZ track. You do not specify which EZ track you have but if it is the steel kind (black roadbed) I’d dispose of it and get nickel silver grey roadbed EZ track. If the turnouts are old I would replace them as well. Bachmann acknowledged to me once at a trainshow that their turnouts had issues and they have addressed them from what I recall the newer ones are better. Your other option is Atlas Turnouts but you wou have to install your own roadbed. EZ track is code 100 make sure you buy Atlas code 100. I also don’t like Bachmann rerailers they have that unrealistic hump in the center for the wires I would just as well solder the wires. you will want at least one additional set of feeder wires to insure good electrical performance especially if you think you might upgrade to digital command at some point.
Ok heres my thoughts.
the original SIW was a 4 x 6 with a built in extension built with EZ track.
You do not specify which EZ track you have but if it is the steel kind (black roadbed) I’d dispose of it and get nickel silver grey roadbed EZ track. If the turnouts are old I would replace them as well. Bachmann acknowledged to me once at a trainshow that their turnouts had issues and they have addressed them from what I recall the newer ones are better. Your other option is Atlas Turnouts but you wou have to install your own roadbed. EZ track is code 100 make sure you buy Atlas code 100.
I also don’t like Bachmann rerailers they have that unrealistic hump in the center for the wires I would just as well solder the wires.
you will want at least one additional set of feeder wires to insure good electrical performance especially if you think you might upgrade to digital command at some point.
Hi,
I was wondering what is "SIW"? Just to let you know, I have the nickel silver grey roadbed easy track, and the turnouts are probably 2 years old, and working, besides one of them has an electrical modification(The connection has been cut on the + rail so it is insulated, though it is a little annoying with my track plan so I will put it in an area that there is power on both sides(the siding in the inner circle). I"m also thinking to use the Bachmann rerailers/feeders as a train crossing area, so it won't look as bad. Also, how would you do an extra set of feeders, do I need some electric splitter to plug it into the MRC Tech 6. Additionally, If I wanted to have two separate blocks(that can be turned off for a setup track), how could I do that?
Jkap - I didn´t mean to be derogatory. My point is not to dwell too long on the planning of the layout. You have the track, and apparently you have the benchwork, so just get started. Bachmann´s EZ track is easily laid and you can have a train up and tunning in a short time and explore what you can do with that layout. You may like it and continue to add scenery, or you may find it less attractive than you thought and look for a different layout.
Adding to that - here is some food for thought:
Gateway NMRA Small Track Plans
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Train set turnouts (track switches) are usually pretty sharp, and your track plan shows a potentially problematic s-curve in the top middle including these turnouts. This would be worse with longer cars. I'd work to eliminate that.
Good luck with your layout.
Hi Jkap:
Welcome to the forums!!!
You are the second new member tonight! That's good.
First, don't misread Ulrich's response. I think he was trying to say "congratulations on getting into the hobby". I agree. No 4' x 6' layout is going to be 'realistic' but it can certainly have all the flavours.
As I suggested in a previous post you are not limited to just having a 4' x 6' layout. You can make a detachable module to add to the main layout when it is in use. If it is small enough it can stand up in a closet or sit on a shelf when not in use.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
HarrisonIf you could expand to 4x8, you could add a lot more scenrey and sidings.
The OP mentioned that he wants to be able to put the layout under a kid's bed so a solid 4' x 8' layout won't allow that. However, nobody said that the layout has to be one solid piece. It wouldn't be too difficult to build a small yard or a passenger station scene (2' x 4' or thereabouts) which could plug into the main 4' x 6' layout.
If you could expand to 4x8, you could add a lot more scenrey and sidings.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
Hi Jkap - welcome to the wonderful world of model railroading (and to this forum)!
I am going to jump right in - your track plan is neither realistic nor is it a good plan, but that´s not important. It is more important to get started and for this matter, this plan is as good as any.
Welcome to the forum, here is your plan.
Those 85' cars aren't going to look very good on the 18" radius track, if don't derail.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I recently inherited a Model train set from my grandfather who recently passed away, and was looking for some help in setting up his trains again. It will go under a bed for a kid, and so I was thinking of Modifying the plans of the Family Train Layout baseboard, and expanding it to 4 X 6 Feet(Any thoughts?, is it possible, will it be very bendy?). I am using my Grandfather's Bachmann HO scale E-Z track, and his trains combined with my own. I Have 4 left Turnouts, 2 Right Turnouts, 16 22" radius turns, 18 18" radius turns, and 11 9" straights, 2 curved 18" rerailers, and one 9" straight feeder and rerailer. I know that the E-Z Track turnouts have some reliability issues, and I will try to fix them(Any thoughts on that). I currently have a MRC Tech 6 2.0 DC controller, but in the future I plan to get the DCC walk around add on so I can run 2 trains at once. I was thinking of doing a double loop(18" inside, and 22" outer loop) even though I don't know how realistic it will be, I would like to be able to run 2 trains. Does anyone have any track plan suggestions? I also would like some advice on how to make it look as natural as possible even though it won't be that Natural because it will be very tight. My reasoning for doing a double layout is I want to use all the track I have. I want everything of my Grandfather's to be put to good use by his Grandchildren.
The layout will also be for both passenger trains(New York Central Steam engine, with 2 85' passenger cars, and Thomas trains). Also it will be for Freight trains(Union Pacific Modern Steam engine(1940s era) and Rio Grande DGRW Diesel Locomotive). with a variety of different coal cars, hoppers, tank cars, and boxcars.
Below is a link to track plan I drew up in Anyrail. Suggestions?
https://imgur.com/aboNw1n