12 x 8 Fastrack layout--need help!

Looks great!  Just be careful with the S turns.  In conventional, the trains will slow in those sections and speed up on the straights so it makes it harder to run the train at a slower pace.

When I get back to wiring on my layout, I can post more pictures. 

Tmack....thanks.  The "S" turns will go away when we get more straight track!!

Do you think we would be better off with an elevated line behind the town and have it loop back?  Always worried about my 9 year old using too much speed and the train flying off the elevated track! 

9 is old enough to manage the controls.  My son is 8.  I think for the "kid factor"  multiple levels, tunnels, sidings with operating accessories are all part of keeping the interest factor.

I take it you haven't had any issues with your elevated track so you must be right.

Santa Fe VA: HI! I personally enjoy reverse loops. Built into a track plan, they offer a lot of variety-trains changing directions ends the monotony of loop running. Also the fun factor of turnouts holds interest. The way your layout is set up, you have plenty of room to do it on the lower level. Just something more to think about!  

Pete

Well,  I am not sure those PW pieces will be on the elevated section when we have our party.  My kids are fine they know how to handle the trains the other kids that come over, many times have never operated trains so we usually have a few derailments in the teaching process.

I have a small layout (6x9) and run two CW80s (Both G code versions) and like them very well.

I also run my PW 665 Hudson and 736 Berkshire on O36 Fastrack with no problems.

James

James--thanks for your input.  Are you using the CW80s for separate tracks?

Right now they are powering two separate tracks.  I have had them powering two different loops that were connected by switches.  The loops were separated into two blocks at the switches.  The CW 80s worked fine with no problems.

I have 3 CW-80-s  Will have a 4th soon. One of my 3 does not have the G Code, but I will probably dedicate that to my trolley or Superstreets.

Each loop is powered by it's own transformer. 

If you have only one transformer and you have a loop with a siding, you create a separate block on the siding and control the power to that siding with a toggle switch.  Turn the switch off and you can store a second engine and run the other on the loop.

Below shows 3 blocks on one transformer.  

1. The main Loop

2. A Passing Siding

3. A Yard Siding 

You can run two trains on here all day long. Park a train on the siding (green), turn off the toggle switch and run the other train on the loop.  Park the train on the loop on the Passing Siding (blue), turn off the toggle switch, turn on the toggle switch for the green line and bring the train out of the yard onto the loop.  You can add as many sidings and toggle switches as you want, you just have to tie into your main center rail feed.  The idea is that you are interrupting the power to each siding with a toggle switch.

You can connect two loops on separate transformers and use the block section to separate the power districts, you just have to make sure you have the power phased correctly, if you have two CW-80s (G coded) the plugs already are phased.  This way you can bring a train form an inner loop on a separate transformer out to a outer loop on a different transformer.

Santa Fe Va,

   Very nice clean layout, the reverse loop was suggested, definitely a good idea.

I would also up grade the transformers with at least a ZW and eventually a DCS.

The kids ran our multi level layout all the time, the boys can get a little wild at times,

I find having them help build and learning the cost of the layout, tends to make the kids understand how fast to run the layout.  We seldom if ever had a spill from the tracks.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, thanks.  That's reassuring what you and Tmack said about your "safety records."  I hope to work on the loop when I get more track, should be fun.