5x9 Temporary Fastrack Layout Seeking Input

Very cool of you to help set up a layout for your BIL! Looks like great fun for shorter trains!

I'd recommend moving the crossovers to the ends of the inner loop to eliminate the 036 S curves. You could also, if willing to purchase another 060 switch, double-end the existing siding to provide some more storage or allow for some interesting switching maneuvers. It looks like there may be room to wrap the right siding further around along the wall on the side, especially if you're willing to shift the whole plan a little bit to the left (closer to that edge of the table) - the 2x 060 curves you have shown plus 1x 048 full and 1x 048 half would give you a 90 degree turn.

Also note that 060 and 072 Fastrack switches require use of the included 1 3/8" fitters with roadbed on one side before connecting other track sections to the out/through legs.

I've marked up your exported image to show what I mean.

Are you using Command-Control (DCS, Legacy, TMCC, Lionchief)? That would be great for your brother-in-law. Plus, it's more fun to run trains with a remote rather than a fixed transformer. Here's a few more tips:

-Use 180W Bricks or GW180s for track power. Legacy Powermasters will allow operation of conventional locomotives with a TMCC or Legacy remote (or the new Base-3/Cab-3 App when they release).

-Run switches off 12V accessory power.

-Insulate each loop from the other. With this arrangement, you and your brother-in-law can run trains together.

-Make the benchwork low enough for your brother-in-law to see the trains while sitting in his wheelchair. Since you have switches on the layout, having the benchwork low enough will also allow him to reach the levers and buttons that throw the turnouts or operate accessories.

-Think about including a few operating accessories. Make sure you power them separately from the track as well.

-The legs of the two reverse loops could be the perfect places for a few more switches leading to industrial spurs. That would add some operations to the layout.

-Also, operating tracks and uncoupling tracks are a good idea for switching operations. Again, power them with fixed power, not track power.

-Use some foam under the track. I use a thin foam roll that works well for making my trains run quieter (I use Fastrack on my layout also), and it's only $10 for a 50' roll at Home Depot. All you have to do is screw the track down with the foam underneath, and you're good to go.

Thanks Mike0289,

Thanks for pointing out the O36 S curves.  I focused too much on keeping switches out of curves and missed these S curves entirely. I agree putting the switches in the curve is a better choice for this layout, although it does add 1 inch to the 5 foot depth which I can accommodate.  I added 1-3/8" straight between the switches to minimize the overall length as well as 1-3/8" straights at the both ends of the outer loop to keep the dimension between the inner and outer loops more than 6 inches.  I think adding the 2nd O60 switch is a good option, I had that in early versions of the layout but left it out thinking the siding was too short, but now realize it would allow switching of at least one car. As I have the switch, I've added it back in, but also moved the first switch into the curve to lengthen the longer siding.  The revised layout is provided below.  I will run the suggested added right hand leg of the siding by my brother-in-law and let him decide if the added length of the siding as well as the length of the benchwork is what the wants.  Regarding the O60 switches and the 3/8" fitters, I'm assuming that SCARM includes that in its model of the switch - do you know if that assumption is correct?

Thanks Dylan the Train Man,

Use of Command-Control is a great question, and developed several things for me to work through.  The O-42 engine is a recent purchase by my brother-in-law - its a MTH Proto Sound 3 version.  I believe he was going to order the MTH DCS system so that he could operate that engine from his phone - I need to verify that, but then also need to check to see if he included what might be needed to operate the switches and accessories from his phone.  He has at least one conventional engine and one Lion Chief as well.  I'm guessing the conventional engine will not be run but will need to verify that.  In any case I have no experience with MTH engines or their control systems so this approach will require me to quickly come up to speed.  The alternate approach is to use my TMCC system, transformers and a single TMCC SC-2 unit to operate some switches and accessories (and the traditional levers and buttons for the remainder or buy a second SC-2)  I will plan to insulate each loop - inexperienced with that as well - I'm assuming that I can install insulating pins between the O 36 switches to accommodate that and then power each loop from different transformers in the event something is run in conventional mode.  I've used a mock up of the benchwork height to discuss the height with him - its going to be 30 inches high -- but your suggestion on benchwork height was really helpful.  As he can't reach down to the benchwork, it made me realize that I also need to consider some type of higher shelf that he can wheel under that would hold any transformers, switches, levers or button that he needs to operate. As you suggested, I've added a few uncoupling track sections, and will discuss additional accessories and sidings with him.  Thanks for the tip on the foam roll material for noise control - I will plan to use that as it sounds like a economical choice for a temporary layout.

Here is the current version of the layout.  The current size is 5'-2" deep by 9'-0" wide and 30" high.

@Latestarter posted:

Regarding the O60 switches and the 3/8" fitters, I'm assuming that SCARM includes that in its model of the switch - do you know if that assumption is correct?

It's hard to tell when planning SWs don't show the plastic roadbed. I recommending using whatever ruler tool SCARM has available to measure the length of the switch. If the CAD model for the 060 switch has the 1 3/8" piece included, it should be 14 1/2" long. Otherwise it'll be 13 1/8" long.

Looks like you have space to add it if you need to. Either track moves closer to the top/bottom edges of the table or you remove the 1 3/8" fillers in the short ends of the outer loop.

The DCS system will run the conventional loco. The new Lionel Base-3 will run the LC loco as well as the conventional loco if you have a Legacy Powermaster. An MTH AIU will operate the switches and accessories as will LCS.

Good for you for doing this, and you're asking good questions and getting some excellent advice above.  Here are a few thoughts on things that I haven't seen covered...

First and foremost, you will make mistakes and find things that you wish you had done differently.  It's just part of the hobby - don't be afraid.

Re the MTH engine that your BIL is buying...  1) It can run in conventional mode with a transformer - smoke and sounds - not as much fun as using DCS, but it will run.  2) There are a couple of recent MTH diesels where the smoke unit can melt the shell - VO1000 and RS3 models - see https://ogrforum.com/...it-melting-the-shell and https://ogrforum.com/...-unit-problem?page=1 Make sure that he doesn't have one of those; if he does, don't run it with smoke on until the files have been corrected.  There's a simple file fix that takes care of the problem - links to the process are in those threads.

Getting a DCS system these days can be a challenge - don't count on getting it in time for the holidays. 

Hooking up DCS on a small layout is easy, and it's also simple to add TMCC to DCS - if he has a TIU, look for threads on the forum regarding adding TMCC on top of it.

When control of switches and accessories on a Fastrack layout is concerned, the simplest solution is Lionel's control architecture.  Using Fastrack Command Switches greatly simplifies wiring - just give each switch a unique address.   This works with the original TMCC and its handheld.  With Legacy, you can use a wireless device - the Lionel LCS App on an iPod has screens where you can build a representation of the layout and throw switches with a press on the screen.  Accessories can be controlled with LCS ASC2 boxes.  Switch throw positions are detected with STM2 boxes.  Sensor tracks show engine position.  Works great on my switching layout.  Unfortunately the control infrastructure (Legacy Base3) is currently unavailable or outrageously priced for older models.

DCS doesn't pass switch throw commands to an attached TMCC base.  You would have to use an AIU (if you can find one) and run wiring to each switch.  The simple alternative to the AIU at this point is a TMCC Base1(L) and handheld for throwing switches remotely.

The promised DCS WiFi-enabled TIU and Lionel's Base 3 will hopefully come with apps with improved functionality for smooth operation of a layout and it's engines.  My recommendation is to wait until these new products are available before buying into expensive control systems.  You can build the trackwork with the newer Command Control versions of the Fastrack switches so you'll be ready for the remote control features of Legacy LCS.

MartyE posted a video on using an iPad to throw switches here.