An out and back switching layout challenge.

Rick,

Sounds like a good idea for a layout. My only suggestion would be to avoid the O54 and similar switches and use numbered switches such as #5s instead. With less of a divergent angle, it will be easier to avoid S-curve effects and make the track flow more realistically.  It will also make it easier to keep parallel tracks closer together saving space in the long run on a narrow layout.

Jim

Thanks Jim P.

How about Gargraves 100" turnouts mated to Atlas O track?

RIck.

Rick,

If you don't mind mixing track types, I would choose Ross over GarGraves - much smoother. But, I think Atlas has a #5 that would be fine, as long as you feed power to both ends of the switch and not count on the internal wiring to carry power.

Any of the numbered turnouts have the advantage of being straight through the frog area which improves performance and appearance.

Jim

Jim, could you elaborate on the difference between an O-54 turnout and a #5 numbered switch?  You say they have less of a divergent angle, but I assume they are numbered to accommodate different degree of curve, just like an O-54 turnout would be different than an O-72.  I am planning a layout that will include switching so I am interested in this thread.

Why do the cars need to be enclosed, a crane on a dock would make more action?  Have a section a little lower with water and a barge. Have coal or grain in the barge and load a hopper.

Why a loop, if you have a “drop track and pickup track” at the end rather than a loop.

Find a small turntable to turn the engine and maybe a larger one where you need to have an engine and one car to get into an industry.

Edmunda, the idea of an O-54, or other O-XX switch is a direct replacement of an o-XX curve. A number switch will not be an even swap because that is based on the degrees of the straight line angle.

Some thoughts.  18 feet is great but your loop will consume valuable space.  If you are limited to 054 the loop will consume 4.5 feet of your available space plus the wider the loop the greater the reach should something derail.  I am assuming this is against a wall.  Jim's suggestion of using numbered turnouts is solid.  Us 3 rail folks have used turnouts that are basically a curve track dropped onto a straight.  The divergence is harsh.  A numbered turnout is one that has the diverging track move over smoothly.  For an example, look at the Ross online catalog of numbered switches and compare them to the 0-XX kind.  The difference is very apparent.  

If you have sufficient space for a loop, consider wrapping a bit into that corner with one of your industries for scenic interest.  I am looking forward to your plan.

I would love to use #5 turnouts, but I have a box of 0-54's and 5 0-36 turnouts. I often strugle with toy trains vs. 3RS trains. The more I think about 3RS and all the work and expense vs. out of the box three rail trains the more frustraited I become. 3RS is nice...just a few more steps and one might as well go 2 rail.

Perhaps I need to just admit I am an "out of the box" three rail kinda guy.

Rick