Alex's O-Gauge Layout (Updated: 8/20/21)

Also, you’ll get more feedback if you post a photo along with the SCARM file. Not everyone has SCARM and my laptop is busy doing an update.

I re-uploaded the file, so let me know if it works/doesn't work. I have posted a photo below. If you want to see the 3D view, I can upload it.

Note that unless these are short locomotives, having curved whisker tracks will be a problem as the locomotives are likely to hit the TT bridge when moving on or off.

Alex,

First off, thanks for re-doing the SCARM link; I was able to download and look at your plan.  Now for the comments and suggestions.  First, John is correct about the curved spokes from the turntable; they will inevitably give you problems.

Second, you might want to consider moving the coal tower and water tank from current location to along side the track that enters the turntable from mainlines.  Locomotives usually stopped for "fill-up" as they left the roundhouse to pick up a train.  As now configured, your engines would have to move to the fill track, then move back on the turntable to exit on the departure/arrival track for the roundhouse.

Third, your design still runs from edge-to-edge on the 23' side of the room, and almost runs edge-to-edge on the 16' side of the room.  Have you thought about how you will reach a derailment that might occur right at the front of the roundhouse?  And, have you laid out the entry angles from the turntable to your roundhouse choice (have you made one?) to make sure you have sufficient space?  Trust me when I say that your choice of turntable size and roundhouse kit can have a dramatic effect on the required build space.

I also think your edge-to-edge design is at least partially driven by your choice of very wide curves to accommodate 21" passenger cars.  While I appreciate the improved look for those cars, your choices are causing the issues I describe next.

When constructing a plan, one must consider access to all points for either routine maintenance, remodeling (we all see something that needs improvement after we think the job is done), or accident fix.  So unless you build with less than a 3 foot reach for all points, you will have to build strong enough that you can walk or crawl on your layout.  Alternatively, you can provide access "hatches" (e.g. to solve the turntable derailment reach problem), but many recommend against those because they now require bending and/or crawling under your layout to reach those areas.  Never fun as one ages.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

I changed the location of the turntable and roundhouse, moving the whisker tracks as well. Also, I moved the coaling station, diesel fuel depot and water tower towards the exit, so the locomotives can refuel as they leave the roundhouse. I believe I could fit an access hatch, or maybe get a topside creeper. I posted the updated picture above.

Edit: Almost forgot, here's an updated file too:

No graphic, no SCARM, so I can't see it.

John, he updated the original photo in the 2nd post.

Personally, I don't think a topside creeper is going to give you enough reach into either of the upper corners, and you have no place to put any access hatches that will reach those corners unless you place your turntable and industries on removable hatches.  If your room were 4' wider in length and width, you would be golden (2' on each side).

Good luck with your build.

Chuck

Hi guys,

I made a variant without the turntable and roundhouse, but as I eliminated one issue, I believe I created another issue. However, there would be room for an access hatch inside the reversing loop.

Edit: Just made another variant, which I hope clears up the issues regarding clearance. Also, it should allow for access hatches.

Hi guys,

I realized the room is more or less 272 x 182 inches, so the track plan isn't going to work.

So, I have flipped through the pages of my copy of Atlas O gauge track plans and found a good one, 0-30. While an oval, it has O-72 as the minimum curve, with an O-81 and O-90 dual-track mainline, with room for a turntable! So, this seems like a good one to modify into something I'll like. Do you think this could be changed into a folded dogbone?

Not sure if this track plan will work, but could the lower loop on the right-hand side be lowered, or the upper right-hand loop be raised? I kind of like this track plan and would like to figure out how to make it work.

You have plenty of length to gently raise your lowest to your second level and to raise your second level to the third level.  However, your layout has several other faults.  For example, how do you plan to reach / fix derailments that occur at your roundhouse/turntable or on your figure 8 in the middle?  (Remember, it's buried under / separated from you by 3 layers of track.)

If you start to run a train clockwise on the figure 8, how will you ever get it out of the figure 8?  Are you just looking for the longest "run" possible for your trains or do you plan to operate?  If so, how?  Do you plan to include any structures or scenery other than the turntable / roundhouse?  If so, where and how?

Don't build something that will bore you within days of "completion."

Chuck

Hi Chuck,

thank you for the advice. I just made some changes and think I got it to work. I could squeeze in some extra turnouts so a train is able to exit the figure eight. Also, I did add a lift gate, where I would stand inside the upper loop.

To me the original design looks like a two-level, out and back design. A train pulling away from the turntable moves to the outer main that is a return loop, raised and folded back. The train ends up pulling in to the turntable because that is the reverse mechanism for the lower loop. So I believe you would have to use the round table on every out and back run. Your modification gives access to the outer loops when a train is traveling clockwise in the figure eight and relieves operation of always going over the round table. I would keep that even with the turntable.

I don't have SCARM so I can't check for sure, but it looks like you don't have that big center loop above the long transition tracks. That big loop is the second level.

@turkey_hollow_rr posted:

To me the original design looks like a two-level, out and back design. A train pulling away from the turntable moves to the outer main that is a return loop, raised and folded back. The train ends up pulling in to the turntable because that is the reverse mechanism for the lower loop. So I believe you would have to use the round table on every out and back run. Your modification gives access to the outer loops when a train is traveling clockwise in the figure eight and relieves operation of always going over the round table. I would keep that even with the turntable.

I don't have SCARM so I can't check for sure, but it looks like you don't have that big center loop above the long transition tracks. That big loop is the second level.

I noticed that. The 3D view does show the upper loop above the straight length of track. Maybe it's a bug or something?

@Lionel2056 posted:

I noticed that. The 3D view does show the upper loop above the straight length of track. Maybe it's a bug or something?

I don’t see a bug, but the 2D display does make it look like that track connects to the loop. That’s why I color-code tracks to show the whisker tracks vs lead tracks vs 2nd level tracks. It’s kind of a mute point though since the latest design doesn’t have the TT. Without the TT you should be able to add access hatches, assuming this is surrounded by 3 walls. I’m not really sure what a lift-gate gets you, other than a lower balance in your bank account. How much difference is standing just on the other side of some tracks going to make vs standing outside? Do you really want to be turning in circles? Just food for thought.

@DoubleDAZ posted:

I don’t see a bug, but the 2D display does make it look like that track connects to the loop. That’s why I color-code tracks to show the whisker tracks vs lead tracks vs 2nd level tracks. It’s kind of a mute point though since the latest design doesn’t have the TT. Without the TT you should be able to add access hatches, assuming this is surrounded by 3 walls. I’m not really sure what a lift-gate gets you, other than a lower balance in your bank account. How much difference is standing just on the other side of some tracks going to make vs standing outside? Do you really want to be turning in circles? Just food for thought.

Hi Dave,

there's an air conditioner nearby on my side of the basement. I'm hoping that the lift-out section(s) will prevent unnecessary damage to the layout, if someone has to work on the air conditioning.

I made some changes as I realized that a train could get trapped in the figure eight. Updated track plan should allow multiple trains to operate.

It looks like you are moving toward a folded pattern. The length of a train will be limited by the circumference of the loop in the lower level turn around if that matters. About 17, 18 feet long.

You may be able to work this plan to avoid the area you want to have access to. One simple mod would be to move the transitions and upper loop closer to the double main at the top. A lot depends on where the transitioning tracks cross under the upper loop and how much clearance there is between the two. Try to keep thinking in three dimensions. It can be a challenge to keep up with grades and clearances while you play with loop sizes, transition lengths, and even the height of the second level. And how will you add scenery to whatever you come up with.

We have similar size constraints. I have a 273" x 120" space and I'm also working in two levels. With more restriction on the sides I am having to design with more hidden track so most of my transition to the upper level won't be seen.

Checked the measurements of the basement and found out it is actually 22 feet 5 inches x 15 feet 2 inches, which meant I had to redesign the track plan again.  This layout should allow multiple trains to operate. Maybe could fit a mini CTC control panel to operate turnouts and signals...

Not sure if my measurements are correct, but it might actually be 22' 8" by 15' 2" (272 x 182"). If that is the case, this track plan should work. I took the "New" York Central, O-35, and folded it on top of itself. If you have the 36 layouts booklet by Atlas O, you can find the original on pages 73-74.

I think I got a track plan that I like!

I am thinking this might be a good track plan. Start with the loop in grey, then add the orange and red-highlighted track as I build the layout.

I don't see any sidings, I'd think about adding some parking for cars and made up trains.

Did some work to an older track plan and added a reversing loop. Should be plenty of room for sidings.

Worked on another track plan and made some changes. Might choose this one or the other that I posted two days ago.

You basically have a folded dogbone which is what I have. As you have discovered, it requires duck-unders which drives table height  and reduces areas for scenery.  That said, my only concern is the track grade between the green-dark gray intersection and yellow-light gray. I am not sure of your dimensions or your minimum grade requirement but that lower left trackage would be my focus.

@Bruce Brown posted:

You basically have a folded dogbone which is what I have. As you have discovered, it requires duck-unders which drives table height  and reduces areas for scenery.  That said, my only concern is the track grade between the green-dark gray intersection and yellow-light gray. I am not sure of your dimensions or your minimum grade requirement but that lower left trackage would be my focus.

You are talking about the two turnouts on the lift-out bridge, correct? I am sure I could fix that when I start construction. I did some work to see if I could get less harsh grades on that left-hand curve that leads to the bridge.

You can simply make the lower level right loop smaller and the upper level right loop larger. That will allow you to start the descent of the trackage near the right wall, then level off at the bridge, and continue to drop towards the left wall.

Made some adjustments to the track plan as I found out that the room is 3" shorter than I thought.

I have decided to modify my track plan into an "Around-the-Room" layout, as I believe this would be the more practical option given the space I have. A couple of lift-out sections allow access to the sliding door and AC, if needed.