Standard Gilbert track uses a geometry based on 10". The straights are 10" and the curves are 20" rad. The turnouts match the straights and 20" rad curves. It sounds like you also have 27" rad curves from Kline. The 27" rad turnouts must also be from kline. I'd guess that Kline uses 13.5" straights. I have some AF track here, and i just double-checked the measurements. Even if it really is 21" rad, American Flier track is slightly flexible and so it wil fit either radius relatively well.
Modeling the Pennsy and loving it!
The flyer turnouts match the track, so 10" straight and 21" radius curve. That is the same dimension as the ones I used in the plan I am working on. The ones from the library are 27" radius.
George
What are the demensions on the turnouts? Are they a regular number or do they match a curve?
S & S,
I actually have about 200+ pieces of A/F track with rubber roadbed and about 20 turnouts so I am pretty much thinking I want to stay with that setup. I like the Gargraves track, but it's a little rich for my budget.
Thanks,
I just checked. Gargraves makes flexible track that works with AF trains, just be sure to carefully level the track side to side. Gargraves has temporarally stopped making S gauge switches, but will be back in production soon.
S gauge has changed a lot since AF. There are scale models from S Helper and others. Would you be willing to use standard turnouts and flextrack? I believe thay make ones than allow operation of trains with large flanges...
TEXAS ZEPHER,
HI, and thank you for responding, please see the response I just posted to S & S, as you both had many of the same questions/comments.
I am glad to hear you had S, I really like the size, and I have stuff that my parents gave me when I was a kid, I am talking 1950 - 1955 stuff, that still works.
The primary reason for the three track yard was some storage of trains I want to switch in & out.
I am looking for more space for spurs & passing sidings, but I really would like to keep the turn-table & round house. They take up some room, but I think the layout can handle it. I have the sawmill and the barrel loader i would like to use. I also have a log loader, but I know that is out, its a monster.
Thank you for your assistance,
SUSQUEHANNA AND SOUTHERN,
First let me thank you for responding and I appreciate your offer to help. I will try to respond to your questions and comments in order.
Goals, primarily a passenger outer loop and freight on the inner with a small amount of switching thus the small yard. Modeling northeast kinda like Gilbert did with his names; Mystic station, Guilford Station etc.
The software has some SHS and Generic templates, I tried to stay with what I have, AF 42" curves, Kline 54" curves, 10" straights and a hacksaw. I couldn't find a good template for the Flyer turnout, so I am using the one you see which a friend made me.
The isle between loops is actually 21" which is tight, but I can fit. I have been trying the reach in game with my current 5X10 table, and I can move cars at 35". And the room is actually about 22 feet long so I have access at the right end of both loops.
I need to set up the turntable and roundhouse and calculate the distance between them, the tracks don't align well because I didn't spend enough time with them. The diameter of the turn table is correct, ant the length, and rear width of the round house are correct. I agree some of the yard tracks will be a problem to reach, but switching is a secondary interest. I do need crossovers between the tracks, just hadn't gotten there yet.
If you are willing to take a shot at improving it I am all ears or eyes as it were. If I had my druthers the yard and the turn table and round house would be all on one loop with more passing sidings and industry spurs on the other. But I haven't been able to fit that together.
Thank you for your interest,
S-scale huh? I had American Flyer stuff way back when and really loved it. Just by natural selection it became a smaller and smaller percentage of my model train habit. It went when I did the big scale purge and eliminated all but HO and 1:20.5.
Anyway it looks like the layout is basically two loops that do not interconnect with each other. To me that is the first and biggest flaw. I like the trains to interact with each other. I know that will cause wiring issues, but block cab wiring is a very well documented methodology.
Second I question the need for three track yard on the bottom. I would reduce it to 2 tracks, and reverse the turnouts to make a "regular" ladder. (instead of left turnout, curve, left turnout, curve, left turnout, curve -- use left turnout, right turnout, curve). It will make the two tracks longer giving almost the same capacity, and at the same time reduce the number of S-curves.
Then with the extra space not consumed by the yard track, an industrial spur could be added.
Which is the other thought. I do not see enough places for spotting cars at industries. Any chance you would want to reduce the main line trackage and use that space for switching?
The turntable seems to be a little over powering. Is there a specific need and or desire for it?
Looking good, but what are your goals for operation and standards for design? It looks like you used "Gilbert American Flier" temolates for your track or perhaps O Gauge templates.
A couple comments on the design though. First, the isle between the two turnback loops is WAY too narrow. Also, the engine terminal is going to take up a lot more space than you have budgeted - look at the alignment of the tracks to the turntable. I also see acess issues for the rear tracks of the layout and to the yard turnouts. You won't be able to reack in for than about 2' or so for operations.
It seems like everything is spread out and operations will be limited to running trains around the mainline loop. In addition, I fail to see how trains can get to the outside loop from the engine terminal, yard, or the siding you have in the middle. Perhaps you would like me to take a crack at it if you tell me what you want?
Nice attempt, S scale it tricky because of the large size.
Good luck with the new layout.
Hi all,
I am designing a new layout, and as several of you know available space is a limitation for us. The area shown in the attached plan is 11' X 16. That is what I have to work with, and I have decided on the basic shape shown in the plan. This is S Gauge and I know the magazine prefers other gauges.
This plan is drawn with RailModeler 4.1.6, I know it isn't perfect, my spacing between tracks is inconsistent and not done yet. I have had to make some links with flex track in some areas that I will work on more.
I am posting it to get general feedback on your thoughts, so please have a look and let me know what you think.