3 Nice Layout Ideas from YouTube

Dang, now I've got to go back and rethink my Christmas design. Thanks for the video.

Those are great for display layouts. No switches, and the meandering tracks are lots more interesting than a basic oval. I'll come up with some O27 versions ...

He has stacked small layouts like I do!

I was able to make a version of the 3rd layout in RealTrax on my 6x8 table with the 3x3 addition I already have. I ran the loops close to the outside track so I can add 2 tunnels and put some houses (from the It's A Wonderful Life collection) on top of them. Using RealTrax left more open space than was in the video, so I could add a couple of smaller boxes in the other open areas and put houses on top of them too. I might run up to the LHS tomorrow to see what prices they have on the additional track I need, maybe I can get a military discount or something. If it's too much, I'll wait until Tuesday to see what the LHS on the other side of town can do with their prices, I get a 10% discount there. Otherwise, I'll just order online and wait.

Hi Folks,

     I worked this out a little while ago, but since I fly by the seat of my pants when I lay track, (and I am a madman with a Dremel cutting tubular track), I don't do a better schematic for sectional track.   I put a 45 degree crossover in the middle of the figure eight to tighten up the overall width of the layout, but a 90 degree crossover is friendlier (might help prevent stalling as compared to a 45 degree crossover) to some equipment, like trolleys and handcars.

It is a great little plan, especially when you see the way Mr. Hall did it with the mountain and scenery.

Take care, Joe.

I came up with some O27 versions. The sizes are 50"x 50", 48" x 64", and 54" x 74". 

Hi Ace,

     You should do a book on your favorite track plans and on your techniques for achieving good layout design!  As always, nice job on the plans and thanks for sharing your efforts with everyone!!!!!!!

Take care, Joe.

  

Hi Dave,

      Hope you get a good discount.   If you can, please share some photos of your layout when you get it finished. 

Take care, Joe.

I'll get a 10% discount at the LHS across town, but I'm not sure what their regular prices are. I have the latest MTH prices entered into RR-Track and I looked up various prices at Nassau. The problem with trying to order from Nassau is that all the MTH parts are labeled Pre-Order, so there's no telling when they'd be shipped, etc. Since I'm doing this for Christmas, that's probably not something I can risk. They also don't provide shipping and tax info on pre-orders and I'm uncomfortable not knowing the final price for what I need.

Plus, I'm heading to Wisconsin in less than 2 weeks, so I'm going to check prices around Green Bay too. Then I'll be heading to Monterey for a week on Oct 9 and there's a train store in Burbank I'm going to stop at on the way through LA. So, I won't be starting the layout until after we get home on the 15th. Fortunately, the table is already done, so it's just a matter of pulling up the current track and laying down the "snow", both of which I'll have done before we leave. Then all I'll have to do is add the track and get the buildings out of storage. The benchwork is foam over a grid, so making holes for the light cords, etc., will be easy. I do tend to forget we're replacing our carpeting with tile at the same time, so I guess that could have an impact on my timeline.

This one...

...looks a lot like mine:

Hi Folks,

    More food for thought from YouTube and Janis Roguskie.  Notice almost that same configuration, what David Hall called a "folded dog-bone" in the center

and the layout in operation

Take care, Joe.