I am planning to run some of the early Lionel F3 diesels using Atlas O three rail track. My plan is for a double main using O45 and O54 curves. At 4.5" center to center, is that sufficient that the engines will not touch in the curves?
Also, each main will be about 35 feet long and will not connect to each other. I plan 4 power drops for each to assure smooth running. Is 4 enough, to few, or too many.
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4.5" should be fine. Big Boys with really long scale passenger cars on a parallel track require 5".
Start with 4 power drops and add more if needed.
I am planning to run some of the early Lionel F3 diesels using Atlas O three rail track. My plan is for a double main using O45 and O54 curves. At 4.5" center to center, is that sufficient that the engines will not touch in the curves?
Also, each main will be about 35 feet long and will not connect to each other. I plan 4 power drops for each to assure smooth running. Is 4 enough, to few, or too many.
John,
By trying not to get too wordy, I guess I did not write enough. I wanted to make the point that I would have a double main with O54 and O42 radius for the purpose of determining clearance for my old Lionel F units. What I did not go on to explain is the layout will be 6' x 14' on three levels with two loops on the lower, two loops on the middle level and a fifth loop on the upper level. The loops on the lower and middle level will be double main with the O54 and O42. I am building this layout for running trains only......no operation. I plan to also have a small N scale layout, a G scale near the ceiling and a large HO layout as well. I appreciated your response regarding clearance and the power drops. As you can see, I will be kept busy with all of this. Thanks for writing.
George
John,
Thanks for the "Like". Here is what I hope to accomplish. I designed the plan with SCARM software......great product. I plan to use Atlas O track and switches. The last time the trains were out of the box was 49 years ago.
George
I really like the 3D drawing version.
I really like the 3D drawing version.
John,
If you have never tried SCARM track planning software, you might want to. You draw your layout kind of one dimensional and then each piece of track allows you to define a height. Up on the menu is a 3D button and when you press that, you get the 3D presentation in just a few seconds. It is very helpful to get a good idea of what the finished railroad will look like. In my case, seeing it in 3D pointed out flaws that I could not detect in one dimension.
SCARM is great software, allows for any size layout and is free of charge. I have had questions in the past about an aspect of the software and the author was always quick to respond. You can add buildings to the plan as well as water, trees roadways and even alter the terrain. When you finish your plan, it will even provide a parts list along with the manufacturers part numbers of whatever track you choose. if a track manufacturer offers flex track such as Atlas O, you can customize curves and track lengths. It will tell you on the parts list how many flex track you will need and if you can get more than one part from a flex track, it will allow that as well so you do not over order.
George
Dear George:
I've got to give it a shot. I have a very old Cadrail version, late 1990s. It has worked for me and I even designed room and garage editions with it.
I've seen a ka-zillion updates and other software but I have absolutely no need to spend money on it because my original does everything I need it to and more.
I absolutely need to try the SCARM because seemingly a ton of folks use it who are on this forum; and the best part is that it is free! 
Dear George:
I've got to give it a shot. I have a very old Cadrail version, late 1990s. It has worked for me and I even designed room and garage editions with it.
I've seen a ka-zillion updates and other software but I have absolutely no need to spend money on it because my original does everything I need it to and more.
I absolutely need to try the SCARM because seemingly a ton of folks use it who are on this forum; and the best part is that it is free!
John,
In addition to SCARM, I use Google Sketchup. You can buy a full blown version or they offer a free version which I use. I used Sketchup to draw the finished part of my basement. It is helpful once I design a trackplan to see how it actually fits in the space. I am including two pictures here. The first is the drawing of just my basement. It is shown with dimensions, ceiling grid and electrical outlets. Each of those are put on their own layer, so I can turn on or off any layer I choose. The ceiling grid shows a bit opaque so you can see the floor and walls below.
The second picture is one of my earlier ideas to include 4 railroads in the space. Two were going to be near the ceiling. Those plans have changed, but I wanted you to see the potential of the software. Each plan has its own layer and can be turned off or on.
On the 4 railroad plan you will notice that the walls in the foreground are see through and walls to the rear are solid. As you spin the drawing the walls will become see through or solid depending on which way you view it.
With SCARM and Sketchup I have all I need to design whatever I want.
George
George:
Thank you for sharing. It's very interesting.
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