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I'm sure many of you have been in the same predicament that I'm stuck in now.  I have a great start to my layout (lower deck) with 6 track and 4 track freight yards, engine turn table, coaling/water siding and all enclosed in a loop that feeds onto a double mainline.  But trying to wire so many switches and then work on the double mainline up to the second deck is where I'm stuck.  Like all of us, I keep changing my mind and it stops me from moving onto the next step... what ever that should be.

Any advice or help in moving off "first base" and getting some real trains running?
Like you, I'm frustrated but looking forward to some serious O Gauge fun.

Ted

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Hard to tell where you're stuck at, wiring or the track plan itself. Track planning, though with town/city/mountain/etc. planning areas is of paramount importance.

FWIW: I've re-built every original track plan/layout at least twice, sometimes 3 or more times until I am satisfied. Once you have a gratifying track plan, getting the trains running is straightforward, though can be a lot of work depending on how big the layout is

Last edited by Paul Kallus

Great comments by all of you.  Especially “Just Plow Ahead”.  Here’s a shot of the two freight yards.  Yes, wiring seems to be the next step before I can start working the upper deck.  It’s just some 25 switches to wire to a control panel is a bit intimidating.  Yep, Dig In and Plow Ahead!

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I'm with Darrell. Get one continuous main running first. Then the second continuous main. From there, add items in the order of most increased operating capability as you judge it. Many times I wired the tracks before the switch machine that gave access to the track (DZ-1000 can be thrown by hand), and then wired the switch machine before I got around to wiring the non-derailing feature. Yard and spur tracks can have cars spotted on them even if not wired, since the loco need not go in there.

If the upper deck is going to be on top of the lower, you may want to get the lower deck pretty far along before building the upper for access reasons. I find if it's possible to hit my head, it's inevitable.

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