5x12 Tabletop Layouts

Now for Layout 3:

This layout uses Layout 2 as it's base, but adds a second level "dogbone" that can be turned into 2 loops.  The 2nd level would not be able to be connected to the lower level.  I would prefer this layout for running and operating trains, but would be nearly a nightmare to setup/take down when moving due to the multiple levels.

One thing I probably should have mentioned in the first post was that I will be living in rental homes/apartments for the next few years and need the layout to be easy to move when I have to.  I will be using Lionel's FasTrack for all plans.  I also intend to pull up some, if not all track during moves (marking the table for what track piece goes where for easy reassembly).

Which plan do you guys like and why?  Also, are there any changes you would make to any of the track plans?  How do they look for operations?

Thanks in advance gentlemen.

I would go with the single level based on the Thor Trains plan.  The multi level idea is also good but, as you say, it would be difficult to disassemble for several moves.  Perhaps concentrate on some buildings and scenery that can be easily moved.  Since I don't do prototypical operations, I can't speak to that aspect of the track plan.  Grades are fun if you would want to do something like that, but more trouble when you need to transport the layout, and grades are always problematic.  Good luck!!!

Take care, Joe.

Thanks for the reply.

Scenery is one of the high priorities of this layout.  That's the main reason I prefer plan #2 over plan #1.

I used 4% grades on a 4x8 HO layout (video of which is here if you're interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...&feature=mh_lolz).  While using grades adds interest to the layout, they do cause problems with just running trains (I have to be VERY picky about couplers and "glad hands" height to ensure that the trains don't "trip" over themselves by digging their "glad hands" into the track or uncouple as they start the up or down grade).  They also make track laying and track planning more tricky.  Additionally, grades limit the length of the trains you can run.  While this is easily compensated for by running lash-ups, it still complicates things a bit (note that in the video above, there are 4 locomotives lashed up to pull about 10 cars on the main line, to include 2 heavy track cleaning cars.  It didn't need all 4 locomotives for it, but it did need at least 2).  Also, for a layout of this size, the grades would have to be at or greater than 4% to clear the trains running on the lower levels.  While 4% grades can be used effectively, they are not advised because 1) they don't look right and 2) they make the train weight problem worse.  I have no intents on using grades for any layout of this size.  That's why both levels on the 3rd design are not connected. 

Thanks again,

Shannon

Hi Shannon,

     One idea I have wanted to try for grades is to use that product called Bullfrog Snot, but not on the wheels, but rather on the one outside rail to provide great traction on steep grades, provided it doesn't peel off of the rail head.  With 3 rails, we have the luxury of not needing one outside rail for electrical pick-up all the time.   I like a toy-like, non-prototypical appearance for most of my train stuff, so "roller coaster" grades have always been something I'd like to do, one day.

   BTW, I really like the 4-4-0 General (or American) loco on your HO layout.  You do a great job with your scenery!  Looking forward to seeing your new efforts!

Take care, Joe.

I've heard of Bullfrog Snot, but I've never used it myself.  Generally when I need more traction, I create a lash-up or add a locomotive to an existing lash-up (I love seeing big trains with 2+ locos pulling them).

Thank you.  That's one of my favorites to run on the upper level.  It just looked right at home there and ran that line (15" radius curves) much better than any other locomotive I had.  I was hoping to one day get some mid 1800's style passenger cars to pull behind it.  Sadly, I'm unsure if I'll ever be able to run it again.  I moved back to Texas from NC last year and didn't have a place to set the layout, so I had it at a friend's house on his covered porch for a while.  While there, his son got a hold of the American and the driveshaft that goes from the tender to the loco fell out, through the wood on the porch, and on to the ground below.  We were never able to find it, and he's moved since then.  Everything else on the loco is in good shape, though.  The layout is now in storage, so it is safe now.  Once I get the layout back out, I'll start looking for a driveshaft for it.  It's a 30+ year old model, so I doubt it'll be easy.

I appreciate the kind words on my scenery.  That's one of the main reasons I like having a layout instead of a carpet central.  While toy train scenery looks good and is great fun, I personally prefer realistic looking scenery to run my trains through.  I feel it adds a lot of interest to the layout.  I'd rather have a single loop of track with a lot of scenery than a spaghetti bowl of track with no scenery.  However, when working in other scales, I feel a bit more obligated to make sure everything looks as real as possible, with little exception.  Which is why I like O gauge.  With O gauge, I feel more freedom to have fun and do what I like.  For me, that's to have scenery that looks real, but have a few toyish features in the buildings, accessories, and locomotives/rolling stock. 

BTW, that HO layout is not done.  At a minimum, I'm going to work on making it more furniture quality (cover the foam with plywood shaped to the terrain, fill the subsequent gap created by the plywood, add scenery items to cover the filler, and stain and varnish the wood.  I may possibly add a drawer for the control system as well as add ports in a couple of locations so I can plug remotes into it for the control system) so it'll look better sitting in a main room of the house (living room, entry hall, den, dining room, wherever there's room), as well as adding it's own legs (it currently has to sit on another table).

Thanks again,

Shannon

Hi Shannon,

    It might be easier than you think to get that missing drive shaft that looks something like a dumbbell with hexagonal weights on the ends.  If you post something on a forum that has many HO people http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/default.aspx like a photo or just a good description, you might get some good suggestions as to a current source.

     I run my HO scale 4-4-0 American on HO flex track bent to 24" in diameter, so even a simple loop on a coffee table would be a way to have a very portable layout. 

The board the track is mounted to is about 24" by 54" done in a whimsical way with ceramic figures and craft-type homemade houses, all resting on a coffee table.  That is a Rivarossi American from 1982 or so.

The curve is about a 12 inch radius in HO flex.  I have a Tyco General whose cow catcher didn't like that curve but it works better with a slight modification to the pilot truck's slot.  I might put the HO Tyco 4-4-0 around an amusement park area on my O gauge layout one day.  All trains should 'play nice' together  -- can't they all get along?

Take care, Joe.

P.S.  I have also bent GarGraves 3 rail O gauge track to fit on a similarly sized coffee table board roughly 24" diameter (12" radius) measured from the end of the tie like O27, not the center rail. Surprisingly most O27 stuff will run even tighter than the O27 27" curve. 

This board measures 24" by 36" without the frame, with GarGraves O gauge Phantom Rail flextrack.

Now I need a cup of coffee! J.

I couldn't remember for the life of me what brand my American is...until you posted what brand yours is.  Mine is an AHM/Rivarossi in Western & Atlantic RR trim.

I did a quick e-bay search for "ho scale 4-4-0" and clicked on "AHM/Rivarossi" under brand.  That brought up 2 listings for the driveshaft needed.  Both are "buy it now" with more than 10 available per listing for $12.99 each.

Very cool layout for your American.  Looks like it works very well for it.  Maybe I should do something like that so I can run some trains until I can get my layout out of storage.

Shannon

EDIT:

I did a search for "ahm rivarossi 4-4-0 western & atlantic", and found an old thread I posted about it on another model railroad forum (like the layout, my HO stuff is also in storage, so I don't have the loco in front of me).  That thread had some info I had found out about it after I bought it.  It's a "Genoa" from 1976, with a PN of 5067-C.

Hi Shannon,

    I get as much, if not more, pleasure from running just a simple loop or figure eight as I do from my basement layout.  I don't find it monotonous or boring, but rather soothing and hypnotic.  Sometimes just a few minutes before leaving for work or at night when I am winding down, and I have my train "fix" for the day.  I like to run Lionel handcars on the simple loops the most.  Also I like the tight and quick turns of the O27 track, or to do the equivalent in HO (even run a little HO handcar sometimes).  Not your Hi-Railer by any means.

My advice -- make a simple set of loops for both scales/gauges and have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take care, Joe. 

Mydart Swinger,

Your video layout looks like something I could use in the office for a Christmas layout.

Do you by chance have an inventory list of the track required?

If so, and you would be able to e-mail it, I'd appreciate it.

 my e-mail is in my profile.

thanks,

Jim

Absolutely!!! 

Here you go:

6-12014, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12014. Straight 10".    9
6-12015, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12015. Curve 18", angle 45º (O36)    12
6-12016, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12016. Terminal section 10".    4
6-12019, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12019. Crossing 6". 90º    1
6-12024, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12024. Straight 5".    12
6-12025, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12025. Straight 4 1/2".    4
6-12026, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12026. Straight 1 3/4".    7
6-12042, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12042. Straight 30".    6
6-12043, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12043. Curve 24", angle 30º (O48)    24
6-12050, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12050. Crossing 14 1/4". 22.5º    1
6-12055, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12055. Curve 36", angle 11.25º (O72)    4
6-12073, 0 Lionel FasTrack 6-12073. Straight 1 3/8".    10

For additional reference, you may be able to download a free demo version of AnyRail that allows the use of up to 50 sections.  Download the ".any" file and try opening it with the demo.  You may be able to view more than 50 sections of track on a previously designed layout.  If not, and the image in my original post is not enough, let me know and I'll help you out with what track pieces go where. 

Here's where you can find the AnyRail download:

http://www.anyrail.com/download_en.html

Shannon

Great, thanks!