My ambition is to build a HO Scale Layout for my son and I to build and grow. I'm completely new to HO/DCC but handy enough not to be too antimidated. However, patience isn't a strong suit and to keep my son engaged, I'm looking for a more prescriptive track plan for us to build over the summer. He is asking for the Milwaukee #261 Steam Locomotive (or the Daylight). He'll mostly appreciate continuous runs but I would like to run at least two locomotives at a time. I've considered some of the Woodlands kits but they are limited to 4x8 and I already have a 6x12 table from an O scale we will retire. Are there any other scenary kits/track plans I should know about? Are they any trackplan sources that include wiring recommendations? I don't need to ultimate setup with signaling etc. but crossings/switches along with tunnels and probably two levels would be great.
Thanks
I would start by looking at track plans published on the Atlas site, and then look at what Walthers has on their site for scenery materials. There's also the SDG site that publishes several track plans that you might find useful and appealing.
It will get costly if you go with the kit track sets with the fake plastic ballast, but it will be quick. Few of us end up happy with that choice over time, but it certainly fills the ticket if you are impatient.
There is a lot in your post.
Continuous running is probably the best choice for your son. Operations are like single malt scotch, it is an aquired taste.
Signaling is complicated in DCC. Arduino seems to be the best way to go, but there is a learning curve; I haven't tried to master the programing. You won't find track plans with signaling included.
I never got the bug to have 2 levels. Helixs are all the rage, but they are huge space hogs. A one level layout puts the tracks at your ideal eye level. A two level layout may put both tracks at suboptimal levels.
There are a lot more options in 6x12 than 4x8. However if the layout is up against the wall, you can't reach more than 30" to fix a derailment. Removeable sections so you can "pop up" are an option, but as you get older, it is a much less desireable option.
There have been a couple threads on problems assembling WS kits with respect to the fit of the track.
There is a trackplan data base on this forum.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
How old is your son? And what is your budget? How fast do you need the layout to be up and running?
So many questions So little space!
Joe Staten Island West
I'm also a beginner, on my 2nd layout. On the 1st one, I did everything wrong, but hopefully getting at least half of the things done correctly on the current build :).
Due to limited space, my layout is 5x9 feet, HO scale, with 2 main levels and a 3rd mountain level.
Each main level has an outer loop, and then there is a inner loop connecting the 2 levels. Then there will be a 3rd shorter loop going around a mountain.
My tracks are 18" radius. I'm aware of the limitations, and my selection of engines and cars are suitable for the small radius. You should have room for larger curves on your layout.
Since I started over, I decided to do DCC.
I designed my project in a way that I can run the trains on the lower loop while constructing the layout, although the loop is temporarily cut off while I'm building a bay and a bridge in one corner of the layout.
I could show my layout once I upload it somewhere (hopefully by this weekend). My layout is not perfect, but sounds like similar to what you are looking for, and might at least give you some ideas.
Here are a few pictures of my layout. These are not professionally made, and I am sure they contain flaws. I am just posting them to give you some ideas:
Keep in mind the steam engines you mentioned require a 22" minimum radius curve I believe, so you could just fit an oval that would work for those engines on a 4 by 8 layout. Those would also be big engines to be hauling the relatively short trains you'd be running on a layout that size.
I had a 4-8-4 on my first layout. It worked on the 22" but could not be run on the 18" radius. I'm sure there are nice, smaller steam engines, such as a 4-6-0, that fit better on the smaller layouts.
Hello SPC,
I have sent you a PM - have free article that has a few ideas for your layout that you might be able to use in an expansion of a 4x8 to a 5x9 or bigger that would allow you to grow your layout and keep your sons interest
Regards from Australia
Trevor http://xdford.freeasphost.net/stag01.html for your interest