Hello all,
I am building my first layout with my son. I know that HO or N scale would be better due to the limited space, but I already have a ton O gauge from when I was a kid. I am using a large tunnel to help disguise the fact that this is just two simple loops. I plan to focus more on scenery than the actual operations. As such any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Also I plan to have a road. Using Adobe Illustrator and a road sign font I created several custom road signs for the layout. A little larger than prototypical as they are drawn to .75inch as the 30" scales down to something like .63". I plan to print it at Walgreens and spray paint the backs silver. If anyone else thinks this is a good idea I am willing to draw up some for you too.
Thanks in advance,
Shawn
edit: fixed the links and text errors.
Your images did not come through. In your past thread, you were able to successfully link to the photos, so just do that same thing again.http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/255002.aspx
Based on the photos in that thread, it looks like you are working in three-rail O, which the hobby calls "O Gauge" rather than O scale (which is typically 2-rail).
Kalmbach has another forum where most of the O-Gaugers participate, where you might find more experienced commenters. http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95.aspx
But folks might also be able to make suggestions here if you post the photos.
Good luck with your layout.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
To the right of your photo in Photobucket is a "Share This Photo" and 4 choices. Click in the DIRECT box with Adobe Flash active. It will copy the correct link. I have not had any luck naming the image, so leave it blank. Here is your layout
If the layout is up against walls at the top and left side, you have a lot of hidden track that will be hard to get to.
edit for pitiful spelin
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
What system are you planning on using to run this layout? Is it a traditional AC or DC or is it some sort of command control?
Do you plan on having two trains running at once? Are you wanting some switching of industries or running in circles. Trying to get a feel for what you want out of the layout. O is a good place to start with kids, they can put their hands on it without breaking too much.
Another way to break up the circle is to divide the scene with buildings or backdrop.
Contol will probably be just simple transformer. Not going for the operations aspect, but the scenery.
I will probably eventually upgrade to legacy if I can work out a floor/shelf layout that I am thinking on. I picked up a legacy gp7 for $300. It was too good to pass on since they usually run $500+, like the $1,000 4-6-6-4 Challenger I have been drooling over.
You have a lot of s-curves where one curve connects directly with a curve bending in the other direction. Those often create derailment problems, especially with tighter curves like O31.
I would daylight those tunnels and just keep the mountains in the middle. You loose too much layout with the track hidden. Maybe keep just one small tunnel on the left side to separate it from the back. This will have the same effect as your large tunnel. See the Kaiser Steel Eagle Mountain Layout MR is currently building for an example.
I would also put in a crossover so you can switch between loops. And add at least one spur so you can have some industry.
Your signs look nice. It's good to have local highways to help show the setting. If you buy photo paper you should be able to print your signs at home. I think any modern color printer can print photos.
J……
p.s. Enjoy!
shawn91481Will slower train speeds prevent this? I know this kind of thing isn't really prototypical but I wanted to give the appearance of track following a river.
It's not about being prototypical, it's about what will stay on the track. My guess is that it will still be a problem even at low speeds. You could try it with the track you have on hand and some of your rolling stock to see if the reliability is acceptable to you.
And again I would suggest that you post your plan on the other Kalmbach forum I linked above where folks have more experience with O Gauge to see what they think.