I want to build the MRR Project Railroad Virginian, but on a 5 x 9. This is going to be my first model railroad. Where I am confused is how to expand the track. I want to duplicate the track plan, but have larger radius curves. Beside larger radius curved turnouts to match the larger radius ovals and longer straights, would I need to use different turnouts? I downloaded railmodeler (I am on a Mac) but I couldn't figure out how to use it, and it doesn't have curved turnouts in the library. Should I just go ahead and build it 4 x 8? I don't want to buy a bunch of track that won't work.
Hi! Welcome to the forums!
I currently have the Virginian layout built (working on scenery)in the 4x8 with a few modified pieces of track.
Trust me, you're going to want the larger curves. That 19" radius curved switch used in yard screws over many of my larger models. If you're going to build in 5x9' Id absolutely take advantage of the larger space and use 28" curves.
Unfortunantly I cant help you with which turnouts to use, and I dont have experience using railmodeler, but Id highly recommend finding some software that will allow you to built it.
I agree, dont buy track that wont work, track is expensive and is wasted if unused.
Good luck!
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
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Increasing the size is a good idea. This is a good, but tight plan so changing curve radii and turnouts on a slightly larger version may not work well.
First, 5x9 does not expand the layout equally. The width is expanded 25%, but the length is 12.5% bigger. Expanding the curve radius probably means leaving everything else the same. And the increase may have to be small.
Second is the turnout issue. The plan uses Atlas snap switches in the yard. These have a curve through the diverging leg. So you can't just replace them with say #5 turnouts (which do not have a curved diverging leg) and have them fit your slightly larger space. In code 83 Atlas has an 18" and a 22" snap switch. I believe the plan uses the 18" version, the 22" is probably too large a jump for your space - you may be able to fit them in by leaving the radius of the curves the same and/or reducing the number of yard tracks.
The easiest way to use the larger size of 5x9 would be to simply add straight track between the curves . And for a first layout this is what I would recommend. Also with the larger space, you could leave a couple more inches between the track and the edge of the layout.
Instead of using a drawing program, you could make a copy of the 4x8 plan and cut it into 4 quarters which are placed on the 5x9 footprint. Add straight track to reconnect the 4 quarters. Other minor adjusments can be made as necessary
Good luck
Paul
I don't think you would want to simply blow up the plan uniformly to now fit into a 5x9 space.
To me, that plan looks like it has a few critical points that need expansion, but other parts could be left put. (I think the scenic divider between the yard and the town could be wider, IMO, which would tend to leave the branch line radius the same as you make the lower yard area more spacious..probably even the yard itself bigger.)
Yes, changing the radius of the layout where there is a curved turnout is going to be a problem. Walthers only makes incremental sizes. So its using either the size already in the plan (for that specific curve) or the next size up, which may be too broad.
- Douglas
I would try to not be too "literal" in expanding the track plan to fit your larger space. Think of your layout as being "based on" or "inspired by" the Virginian layout, not a piece-by-piece recreation. For example, I suspect the plan uses the Peco curved turnouts largely to allow as much track as possible to be crammed into a very small space. If you went up to 22"R curves and turnouts, you could probably use regular turnouts fit into the curve and have it work out.
I just got done reading the "help the newbies" discussion so I want to make sure everyone knows I appreciate the responses to my post. They've been helpful, and pointed out things that I would not have thought of. I would like to get rid of the snap switches. Those actually bother me more than the tight curves. Even looking at pictures they look "toy-like."
Thanks again.
Mike