8x8 Fastrak layout

To start, your access reach is practically limited to about three feet,  so, on 8' x 8' layout there is a 2' x 2' center that is inaccessible. An explanation of that limitation should be addressed in your question.

Also, if you are determined to go with FasTrack, you won't be happy unless you address the need of a sound deadening material between the plywood and the FasTrack.

How many trains would you like "running" at once? Do you want a double mainline? Do you want to deal with elevations, or run on a single level?

I would like to run two trains at once, and have a small yard and industrial area to fit the lionel 97 coal loader. I want this layout to be a layout I can run trains and use accessories. No double elevation just enough space to run and operate trains and accessories.

The coal elevator is 11.25" x 6" wide. The two tracks for that need to be about 15"-15.5" on center. The 6-12054 FasTrack operating track also has the option of removing the roadbed on one side to get the rail closer to an accessory for proper operation.

I hope you have the 6-32921 reissue.

You should get that piece and a 10" straight and mock-up the spacing to get the alignment needed or to at least leave adjust room in that area of the track plan.

Search for some 8 x 8 Super O layout plans. They used O36 curves and can be adapted to FasTrack.

I'll look around and post some links. Here's a few from Thor Trains that are in O, but are 8 x 8 square and have the coal elevator in them.

here's a few that are 8 x 8 or 8 x 12 L shaped

Do you want the big square 8 x 8?

perhaps you could join two of these FasTrack Layouts by running an O72 loop around two of them and switching in .

Do you have a layout?

what is best tips you could give me?

southern Railfan posted:

Do you have a layout?

what is best tips you could give me?

whom are you asking?

I have a layout of FasTrack. I have a 17'L x 13'L x 5' W L-shaped layout. Stuff always happens along the wall, requiring me to stand on a stool and carefully lean over.

How large is the room or space for a layout? Is it an 8 x 8 room?

TMTerry's tip of being able to reach everywhere is important. The places that you can't reach will be a constant annoyance.

The rest are personal preferences. Plenty of tips to save time from learning the hard way when building it. But, even doing it how you know how to do things is sometimes better.

Action accessories usually will need the "hand of God" at some point. (just like in the coaling video) A reachable location is important for those.

Carl, I like the reference to the "hand of God".  My method for manual adjustment is "the ol' 0-5-0".

Speaking of the 8 X 8 designs, if it were me, I would try if possible to place something in that center zone that wouldn't need getting-to, say a static building or a scenic effect.  My two cents (not adjusted for inflation).

     Hoppy

southern Railfan posted:

Do you have a layout?

what is best tips you could give me?

I have a layout.  Check out my Youtube Channel....it's in the link on my signature line.  

southern Railfan posted:

Do you have a layout?

what is best tips you could give me?

1. DETERMINE YOUR LAYOUT AREA
2. LEAVE SPACE FOR PEOPLE IN YOUR PLAN
3. MAKE SURE YOUR LAYOUT PLACE IS CLEAN AND WELL LIGHTED
4. BE ABLE TO REACH ALL POINTS--MEANING WITH 30 inches of reach
5. Related think carefully about LAYOUT WIDTH/HEIGHT prior to building 
6. HOW LONG WILL YOUR ENGINES AND ROLLING STOCK BE?
7. HOW SHARP WILL YOUR CURVES BE?  SEE ABOVE  
8. SPACING, AVOIDING SIDESWIPES--length of equipment/sharpness curves
9. GRADES TOO STEEP...
10. DO NOT HAVE ANY PLACE YOU WOULD HAVE TO DUCK-UNDER TO RUN
11. These are the tip of the Iceberg.

When I was growing up my favorite "department store" layout was an 8'x8' Lionel D265 Dealer Display Layout.

Jim Barrett did a remake of this layout several years ago using Lionel Fastrack. The dimensions of SuperO and Fastrack are the same.

I made my own version of the D265 back in 1989 for the Bear Mountain Christmas Festival here in the New York Hudson Valley.

I modified the original plan a bit.

This last photo was taken the second year we did the festival. We added more detail as you can see.

What do you think of this? 8 x 8 - O48 & O36 FasTrack

There a couple of places for a siding or two, an accessory or two, buildings or a river/canyon. Switches and or accessories would be in reach.

The shape was adapted from the huge Museum of San Francisco layout, I believe. Perhaps an old one that's not there. I have an old photo.

Edit - The original Museum of Science and Industry layout -1941 (don't click on the links for the videos-potentially dangerous)

here's a good story about Museum & Santa Fe RY.