A 4x8 Fastrack Layout Plan.

Hi,

Which track did you use?

So, you have clockwise running with an engine service siding and a customer siding. The spur on the left will be head end first with the engine.

if the switches are O31 FasTrack check the length. They are actually 11 3/8" long, not 10"

The spur on the left is too long and the roadbeds are overlapping. Add a short track to the straight on the top and bottom of the main loop. A 1 3/4" would do it.

Moonman,

Thread title says he's using Fastrack.  Your suggestions are sound.

Chuck

The siding st the lower right is to short.  It must be long enough to hold both an engine and a car.  You will need to reconfigure hoe the siding comes off the loop.  Also, the layout you are showing is not 4' by 8' but 4' by 6'.

Jan

Thank you everyone! Looking forward to changing the layout!

Jan posted:

The siding st the lower right is to short.  It must be long enough to hold both an engine and a car.  You will need to reconfigure hoe the siding comes off the loop.  Also, the layout you are showing is not 4' by 8' but 4' by 6'.

Jan

How about the siding to the lower left?

Im not sure of the geometry of the fastrack and I'm not well versed in scarm, but I would make the bottom portion a passing siding so you could park 1 train and bring out another. Also, I would make two different spurs on the mainline to give your trains places to pick up and drop off freight and people. I've attached a crude drawing of what I've said above using the same number of left and right hand switches.  

Is this good?I made the bottom switches have more space to fit a locomotive and rolling stock, the spur track doesn't overlap the main loop anymore either

JD2035RR posted:

Im not sure of the geometry of the fastrack and I'm not well versed in scarm, but I would make the bottom portion a passing siding so you could park 1 train and bring out another. Also, I would make two different spurs on the mainline to give your trains places to pick up and drop off freight and people. I've attached a crude drawing of what I've said above using the same number of left and right hand switches.  

I do agree of using same number of left and right hand switches! I should have talked about my plan with more detail.

Here's what my layout is based off of,

I like the idea of those switches to the right, I always thought it was a good idea.

I just want to give everyone here a hug! You guys helped me a lot and I learned something!

I reworked your original layout.  Note that each switch as an 1 3/8" straight extension on the through leg as Carl mentioned.  An additional 1 3/8" is added to the upper straight part of the loop to close the loop because of the extra length of the switch.

The layout is still less than 6' wide.  You can lengthen it by adding straights.

Jan

First you need to decide on an obvious "must" before it is wise (financially) to proceed.

Are you truly limited to 4'x8' layout (no wider and no longer)?

An extra foot of width could avail space for wider diameter curves. Thereby allowing the running of longer locos and rolling stock (though, not much)

An extra foot or two of length would make a passing track more practical.

A suggestion on turnouts. Use as wide a turnout as is practical, at least, on spurs. Why go with O36 switch, if an O48 switch would still work. Why go with an O48 switch if an O60 would still work. And so on...

Guys I made a new forum on my changed up layout so come and see it!

https://ogrforum.com/t...-ish-fastrack-layout

Abraham's Trains! posted:

Here's what my layout is based off of,

I like the idea of those switches to the right, I always thought it was a good idea.

He what size is this layout??

I found a cool layout in O Gauge form mag from a year or so ago for a 4x8 and I'm thinking???? of taking mine apart and doing it. Dec.2013 issue page 66. It shows a round the bottom and reverseing loop on top. The bottom is under a mountain and has 2 switches so to change direction.  But no sidings do to size.

OK this is fuzzy but you get the idea..

Dougie fresh posted:

OK this is fuzzy but you get the idea..

here is the layout plans..