I am planning a new layout using this layout from Atlas. While I have no problem with the size or the layout. Visual I cannot see the scenery here, tunnels, raising the grade. I could use a little inspiration and of course thoughts. Is Track software that helpful. Which ones are good? I am o-scale through and through.
Thanks,
Mike
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I'm not familiar with the layout by name or by the area terrain so I'm not going to get into that area.
RR-Track is awesome, and a lot less money than the track you will mess up without it.
I only have the old version and I can do Tunnels Mountains and Grades with it.
It makes designing or altering your track plan a snap.
It also has a 3D visual mode so you can get a feel for what the layout will look like.
Read through the threads here, lots of good guidance is already posted.
Good Luck, but remember, It's supposed to be FUN.
PS I remembered I have a couple copies of the MTH freeware version. It only has RealTrax and some buildings/accessories but will give you a feel for the program.
email me and I'll send you a one of them. I have several from a Starter set and being in the MTH Club and now I have a Full up version with a bunch of libraries.
Russell, Thank you, I was referring to atlas's layout book. It has 30 layouts but, no scenery detail. The book only provides track layout( wire,switches, power). I will take your advice and purchase rr-track software that everyone seems to like. As always I am having fun with this. Thanks again.
RR-Track has all the track sections in the Atlas plan. The plan uses grade-level crossings, to it could be built on a flat table top. As I recall, it uses 27" radius (O-54) curves, so there will be some restrictions on the size of the equipment you can run on it.
Most of the Atlas plans I've seen are schematic in nature, so scenic elements are left up to the builder. A central mountain ridge as a view block between areas could work.
This plan? The thing about a plan with all those crossings, you have a good length of track but you can't cruise two trains around together in the same direction. Also the sidings are rather short. For O-gauge with O54 curves, the tables will be rather wide.
For scenery, it doesn't really allow for significant hills IMO. It could be made to look good with assorted buildings and trees filling in the spaces between the tracks. Those are just some ideas off the top of my head.
12'x 13'
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