7x13 FasTrack&Atlas-O Design with Compact Double-Crossover

I really like this layout! Thanks for sharing. I just adapted this to a smaller version to make iteration #14 on a design I've been playing with for my office.  Compressing the layout horizontally really brought up the slope for me to get enough clearance over the two right hand tracks though, but that's to be expected. Wish I had the room to dedicate to something like this.

Ken, that looks like a lot of visual interest with grades n' tunnels, in not a lot of space.  Thanks for posting.

Another brilliant design!  Would love to see what it looks like in 3D though.

Thanks very much for your positive comments, gents!   I might do some more work on this when I have a chance.

Nick, I would be interested in your smaller version.   I was thinking about compressing this idea to O54, in perhaps 5.5' x 10'?

Hello Ken,

I am new to the Forum and the Hobby but have been following several of your layouts and really do appreciate your sharing these designs. I have not made a final decision as to where my layout will be so not sure of the exact size, but a 7 x 13 is do-able in either of my locations.

Thanks again and have a great day,

ThomasT

Ken-Oscale posted:

Thanks very much for your positive comments, gents!   I might do some more work on this when I have a chance.

Nick, I would be interested in your smaller version.   I was thinking about compressing this idea to O54, in perhaps 5.5' x 10'?

My space is limited to a little less than 8' wide, by about 5' deep. The slope obviously had to increase, and it's about a 6% grade, doable by the engines I have.  Getting the clearance over the 2 tracks was tricky too, so the red section starts at a 1" elevation, but here's what I came up with.

Its a very tight layout and very busy as well, but I actually like this more than the design I had posted earlier in this forum.

WebNerdNick posted:

Ken-Oscale posted:

Thanks very much for your positive comments, gents!   I might do some more work on this when I have a chance.

Nick, I would be interested in your smaller version.   I was thinking about compressing this idea to O54, in perhaps 5.5' x 10'?

My space is limited to a little less than 8' wide, by about 5' deep. The slope obviously had to increase, and it's about a 6% grade, doable by the engines I have.  Getting the clearance over the 2 tracks was tricky too, so the red section starts at a 1" elevation, but here's what I came up with.

Its a very tight layout and very busy as well, but I actually like this more than the design I had posted earlier in this forum.

Hello Webnerdnick,

Very nice looking layout with a lot of tracks in a limited space. Also really like the LONG double dead-end track at the bottom, I will have to work that in on mine.

What is your smallest curve?

Have a great day,

ThomasT

ThomasT posted:

Hello Webnerdnick,

Very nice looking layout with a lot of tracks in a limited space. Also really like the LONG double dead-end track at the bottom, I will have to work that in on mine.

What is your smallest curve?

Have a great day,

ThomasT

Smallest curve is O-36 (even with the flex), with the larger outside loop being O-45.  It's all Atlas O 3-rail. Credits to Ken for the layout design again. Wish I had an additional 2' of width, which would give more room for things, but, maybe someday that long dead-end will run to another room!

Added 3 spurs and adjustments:

Hello everyone,

I just did a quick measurement of my possible 3 locations and I could have:

A) 8' x 9' the smallest

B) 7-1/2 x 17

C) 6-1/2 x 24 the longest

I would like to have a minimum curve of 0-72 so that every size Loco that I plan to buy would be able to operate anywhere on the track. That pretty much eliminates "A".

Have a great day,

ThomasT

@WebNerdNick try starting your grade a little sooner.  Try to get the “red” switch and track segment up to around 2.5”.  Then work your way up on the outside, and down on the inside as you progress clockwise around the oval.  This should ease your grade some.

Of course then the upper loop will have to be higher than 7.2” but you can keep climbing after you cross the mainline at the far right, so the max grade (which limits train performance) won’t get any steeper.   My $.02.

https://ogrforum.com/...8#116585299641013578

Hi Ken,

First post ever on the forum. I love this layout and I would love to see this scaled down as you mentioned. I have a 6.5x10 table right now with fast track and looking to create a more robust layout. I have a steam engine that is o54 and everything else can run smaller. My thoughts are o60 main line and at least one siding for engine storage. No problem with o36 yards or inner loops.

thanks for your help in advanced.

Nate

Nate,

Ken hasn't been posting too much lately, so you might try downloading a free track planning software (SCARM is free to use up to 100 pieces of track and XTRKCAD is completely free) and modifying the design to fit your space.

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

Nate,

Ken hasn't been posting too much lately, so you might try downloading a free track planning software (SCARM is free to use up to 100 pieces of track and XTRKCAD is completely free) and modifying the design to fit your space.

Chuck

I would be happy to post the AnyRail file for this layout.  Demo is free to use for up to 50 sections of track, but not expensive.  The demo will display any size layout, but only allow you to save changes if less than 50 sections.

I appreciate the interest in this layout, and am thinking about condensing it to a smaller footprint.  Other work has priority, and then publishing in OGR magazine.  I cannot publish ideas on the forum that might later become OGR articles, so I am posting here less frequently now.

A few posts above, I made a quick adaptation of the layout to suit my needs for a 7-1/2 foot by 5 foot area. I attached my SCARM file here in case anyone wanted to play around with it. Might help someone get started on something new.

Ken,

You did a good job on this layout.  I like the innovated way the crossover/crossing are fitted in.

Jan

Ken,

Please post the Anyrail file for the plan being discussed.  Thanks

Chuck

The compact double crossover does come with a few minor compromises:

1. More complex/expensive/risk of derailments/etc. than two separate crossovers due to the use of the actual crossover piece itself

2. Any normal double crossover installation (without the cross) can function as a passing track because something could be parked between the crossovers and bypassed by using both crossovers in succession.

3. Creates the added risk of a collision in the actual crossing if operated carelessly.

In your layout, the crossover that runs parallel to the edge of the layout might be able to come down and connect before the other crossover to create a normal double crossover.

All that being said, I like the layout of your crossover a great deal.  Trains need to make the crossover to get from one end of the track to the other, and the way the crossover is integrated between the loops disguises what is actually going on.  It looks like a train on the crossover is actually on a loop.

I would love to check out the AnyRail file, Ken. Thank you for the SCARM file Chuck. I will check it out.

@Ken-Oscale posted:

I would be happy to post the AnyRail file for this layout.  Demo is free to use for up to 50 sections of track, but not expensive.  The demo will display any size layout, but only allow you to save changes if less than 50 sections.

I appreciate the interest in this layout, and am thinking about condensing it to a smaller footprint.  Other work has priority, and then publishing in OGR magazine.  I cannot publish ideas on the forum that might later become OGR articles, so I am posting here less frequently now.

Here is the AnyRail file for the layout track, attached: