Hello i am planning on building my first layout. The size space that I have is 4x8 or possibly 5x8 max. I would like to use Lionel fastrack and would like to be able to run 2 trains at once, any track suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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My FastTrack layout is 5x8. This allows me to use maximum curves for my passenger cars. 4x8 makes things a bit tight. I have 2 loops (NOT joined). The inner loop has a siding. This has given me the entire center area for scenics. 2/3 is a city scene, 1/3 a carnival/rides area. Lots of action if you plan it right.
The extra width of 5' wide permits using O48 and O36 curves for a double loop.
4' wide would be O36 and O31, but it doesn't fit as nicely -
I think if you search the forum there are some threads on this size layout to give you some ideas - an internet search may help also
get some sidings or a couple of cross-overs to avoid the boredom of loop only running
Pictures would be appreciated!
Hi Casper, if you want to see a nice compilation of plans use the link below for ThorTrains.net specifically to their FasTrack 4x8 section. As Carl said you can also search here and get lots of ideas.
I built the table yesterday, I ended up making it 5x9. I like the idea of using o48 and o36.
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Hi Casper, well you will find lots of good choices for 5x9 too. Here is something I had drawn that uses a standard module system for O-48 & O-36 in the corners. It fits nicely into a 5x9.
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That was a miss type on my part, I ended up doing 5x8.
should I have more than one power hook up from my transformer to the track or is that not necessary on a layout this size?
Casper posted:should I have more than one power hook up from my transformer to the track or is that not necessary on a layout this size?
The trains would tell you that answer by hitting a slow spot - so, avoid the discovery and put at least two pair of feeder wires on each loop - perhaps 9 and 3 o'clock on the ends of the outer loop and at 12 and 6 o'clock on the inner loop.
This would be for constant voltage to operate command controlled engines
John H posted:
That track plan and variations of it, is one of the better plans I've seen, over the years. It offers a long run in a small space.
I had something very similar back in the '80s. I was able to cram alot of operating accessories into the 5' x 9' area. Sorry for the picture quality.
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My layout plan came from The Fastrack Book. With the two reversing loops it did make for a long run. They were O36 manual switches and changed direction each time on the reversing loops without operator assistance.
'Good decision to increase your layout to the 5 foot width. With Fastrack a 4X8 is too restrictive and many passenger cars and engines would have problems with the 36 inch curves.
My latest layout is 5'X10' and has a double loop using 36 inch and 48 inch curves. My priority was to have a large "city area" set in the late 1950s. I only had 5 feet of depth available and built the benchwork/table on casters so that it could be rolled away from the wall for building and access to the track and trains when finished.
I wish that I had a 6 foot depth available...
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i have an outer loop that is just a oval using 048 that is controlled with a cw80 transformer. The inner loop has some switches and is controlled by another cw80. I currently only have the power attached at one point of each track. I read that it is good to add power to the opposite side of the layout also. It also said it is good for your transformers to share a common ground, so would I only run one line to both outer rails of the loop or should I do one for each? Any information on this would help great, thank you all!
Are your two loops electrically connected, like with a crossover, or are they completely electrically independent of each other ?
I have two separate loops
Casper posted:i have an outer loop that is just a oval using 048 that is controlled with a cw80 transformer. The inner loop has some switches and is controlled by another cw80. I currently only have the power attached at one point of each track. I read that it is good to add power to the opposite side of the layout also. It also said it is good for your transformers to share a common ground, so would I only run one line to both outer rails of the loop or should I do one for each? Any information on this would help great, thank you all!
In your case, all is good as it is. The loops are separate, keep them that way. One feed is fine if the trains like it. Only add another if it is needed. Remember that the 8 driver Berk, like a Polar, will slow a little in curves (O36) from wheel bind and not power loss.
You could drop a second set of feeders if you are making the installation permanent, as in putting landscaping around the track and such.
On one of my cw80 transformers the bell button is stuck on, I am thinking about getting a new transformer. Any suggestions on what to get? I will be running an TMCC commodore Hudson and a Lionel chief plus engine. I want to have enough power.
Did the CW80 come with a set? If it did, call Lionel and tell them the button failed. Have the set # available. They may replace it for you.
Another CW80 or an MTH Z-1000 will handle your needs.
You could also power it with a PH-180 direct with 18 volts for a few more bucks. Do you need a controller?
On the one line I am just running the TMCC controlled engine and the lionchief plus. The other line does have some conventional engines on it.
Casper posted:On the one line I am just running the TMCC controlled engine and the lionchief plus. The other line does have some conventional engines on it.
Sounds like you need a controller for the ability to run conventional.
Thats a great looking start. Is that going to be a yard on the right, or will those power supplies move up?
Yea I already placed a switch into there, not sure if I am going to use it as a yard or put a accessory there.
Not sure if this is possible but could anyone get an image of my track layout in one of the track building programs so I could make a control panel for my switches? I don’t anything that can run those track building programs. Thanks in advance if possible
Well that was a challenge from the small picture above. How did I do? I went over 5 ft wide, so something specific isn't quite right.
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Thank you so much! I have been trying to get one of these programs to work on my old laptop without any success. You got it pretty close only thing is the o48 loop is separate.
Alright, let's see about this version. Now it fits into 5 feet by 8 ft.
I guessed that your extension was about 18 inches wide with about 2 ft off the table.
Plus I made the picture with and without the roadbed so you can pick which one you like better.
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Thanks a lot Mike!
Another style is the symbol style that looks like the railroad control board. I built this for forum member Larry3Rail with micro center-off toggles.
I used what I could find at Staples - vellum, I believe it was called to print on and placed it top of the painted box. The whole thing was about 8.5" x 5".
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Casper,
Maybe with a little help, you can use SCARM on your laptop. What laptop are you using, what's the processor, and what's the operating system?
Chuck
My laptop is pretty old, it has window vista. I am not sure what the other specs of it are. Be nice if those system could be used with a ipad.
Sorry, Casper, but ipads run Apple OS and most track planning software is not Apple OS compatible. And, yep, Vista is probably too old for today's Windows compatible software.
Chuck
If I do a 036 right hand switch for a siding, can anyone tell my what the distance would be between the two tracks?
Here you go, you need 3 of the quarter curves.
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Thank you again! I was thinking about possibly putting this there, https://www.menards.com/main/g.../p-1547019162405.htm
Can’t decide if I want to use a 036 manual switch for how cheap it is or spend the money and get the o60. Tough decisions lol
I ended up getting a mth z4000 the other day. When I run the commodore vanderbuilt Hudson with tmcc on it my rear coupler is opening. I also noticed that my rear back up light on the tender flickers sometimes going over the switch. It does not do either of these two issues while running with the cw-80. Could this be an issue with the transformer or the engine?