O Gauge Ceiling Layout Planning Questions

[ED G]

Would like to hear from anyone on the following questions related to an O-71 ceiling layout I am currently planning.

1)  Have used Lionel tubular O gauge track for decades.  Thinking of using Atlas or possibly another brand for this new layout.  Track appearance not important since layout is 12" below an 8' ceiling.  Any track brand/model suggestions for this application ?  Magnetraction an issue possibly ?

2)  Regarding the newer articulated behemoth locomotives such as the 2-10-10-2 reviewed on pg 70 in the March, 2011 CTT issue - can anyone tell me how much room to leave between the O-71 curves and the wall to the outside of the curves - basically the track overhang distance as one of these behemoths rounds an O-71 curve.  Don't own one now but would like to in the future for this layout.

[smokymtguy]

I don't have O gauge around the ceiling, I have G scale.  I will tell you this place some kind of padding under your tracks.  The G scale was up and running 1 day when I took all the track back down and installed 3/8" carpet padding under the tracks.  The noise from the metal wheels on metal track sounded through the 1X10's I used for the base, and tranfered to the wall brackets, and into the walls.  You could hear the train running 3 rooms away in the house.  Now with the padding the noise is at least half as loud.

[dougdagrump]

I did a ceiling layout in one room, had planned on running it thru-out the house but that got shot-down. 

For mine I used Baltic Birch plywood for the base, 1x2 birch and 1x3 or 1x4 birch for the wall brackets but in one area I had to suspend it from the ceiling. On top of the plywood I glued down Woodland Scenics foam roadbed and screwed down Lionel "O" tubular track. After it was srewed down I used "hot melt glue" to secure the track then pulled the screws back out.

The power supplies and Command Base are on a slide out shelf in the closet.

If I were to do it again I would make it quite differently:

1. Make the shelf wide enuff for at least one long passing siding,

2. butt it up to wall to allow for some scenery (building facades, etc)

Hope this helps a bit. Can't answer regarding the potential eng overhang, don't have anything nearly that big.

Unfortunately Atlas has discontinued their "steel" track that worked with magnetraction although you mite still be able to find it out there. Atlas uses plastic ties which would help with noise reduction but my tubular with the foam raodbed is really quiet.

Compliments on planning for possible future acquisitions. I didn't and had to make some modifications later that were a real pain.

Almost forgot:

to the asylum forum.