Hello. Has anyone built this layout? im thinking about doing im thinkig about building it.I have the space needed to do it.So any tips would be great. this layout has plans in the 33 3-rail layouts book by Atlas.
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I always dreamed about building this layout. It was originally designed in HO scale, Atlas called it "the big panhandle". I wanted to do it in N scale
. The only advise I have is I hope you have the money and the time, as this will take a loooonnnngggg time to build. This layout was done with open grid benchwork except for the yard section.
Have fun!
Fec fan I have all the track needed to build this layout. I also have most of the road bed.and I have most of the ply wood and lumber to get going with building this layout.The first thing I need to do is some cleaning up and organize all my trains and equipment.
The dimensions given on the AtlasO website are incorrect. When you look at it in RTS, the yard is 21-22 FEET long!! by 3 feet wide. The main part of the rest of the layout including the wye is 18 feet x 18 feet. This is a BIG layout that will require at least 1 access hatch, as well as access along the left and bottom sides.
21'X18' is a bit different than 18'X10' ???? Though it does say: "Minimum table size required". Nice layout a lot can be done with it. I really like the yard area.
The total length of the layout alng the top side is 37 feet. the main loop section is 10 feet wide, the wye takes a triangle of 8 x8 x 11 feet. as I said, the yard is 21-22 feet long by 3 feet wide. BIG layout. In HO, this layout would be lots smaller-- the main loop section would be 6 ft. wide, the wye section about 4 x 4 x 5.5, and the yard about 15 ft. x 2 ft. I'd have to dig up my HO book that this plan is in to get true dimensions.
I just looked at it, a huge layout indeed the table top of 18'x10' give or take, it does expand/widen the table top as it goes out into the yard. A layout that wide, I would change the curves to have larger curves from 072 which is currently listed to 081, 090+. The yard is huge. I would also add a turntable. But then again if one were to do that you alter the whole Atlas plan, neat plan but I would alter and do it with larger curves.
George
If I was going to do this particular layout, i'd use Gargraves flex wherever I could-- especially in the yard section, and the sweeping curves of the main section. Just my preference---
Good point, using the flex. One of the downsides of this design is the 10' wide design. Access becomes an issue and or add a few crawl unders and access holes.
I just want to say thank you all that sent a reply.I'll be building this layout this spring and summer.Now if I can find my book in HO ill be set. I have the book in O gauge
