fastrack help

Planning help requires a little more than space dimensions.  Are there any poles, windows, doors or utilities to contend with?  How do you like to run your railroads (looping OK or realistic operations required?

Provide at least a rudimentary sketch of your space and operating ideas and someone will respond.

Chuck

If I had your space I would build a table like this. The wider side is good for either a yard or city area and the narrow side for country scenery. The open space allows access. You would have to build another 4x8 section and another 2x4 section. 

The 48" width limits the curve diameter to O36

I would make a U using the existing 4 sections that are built.

A couple of triangles could fill at the inside corners.

Thanks guys , there are no windows or obstructions in the way. I thought about tying the U together with a narrow section of benchwork /bridge to allow at least one continuous loop of operation . It never even dawned on me to use triangle fillers to ease some of the curves . I'll try to post a sketch later . 

This table is 4 x16 with a 2x4 extension on each end .  I share the basement with a lot of other stuff , so what looked like a lot of room at first filled up and brought me back to earth . I really like one of ken o scales plans for this space but still want to tie the extensions together for a larger loop. The gap is 8 ft and wouldn't leave much of an operating "well" anyway , more like access for the middle. I went with the home depot indoor outdoor carpet for a clean starting point but will try to add some removable scenery later. Most of the bus wiring is ran but not shown in these pics , I'm only 53 but crawling around under things is not fun anymore . 

Just unbolted the control panel shown in the pics , I like the rolling carts I see on many layouts shown here .

Nice looking table! 

I have to agree with moving the control panel. You would be rubber necking from the center. One of the ends may work for you. Then, you don't have to move your head to see the whole layout. Provides a good place for visitors or just watching the trains yourself.

Your file crashes in AnyRail.

Darn it , I'll try that again later 

Something like the Atlas LO-35 track plan would work. They used to use it for their display at York events. It is called the "New" York Central RR.

oldone posted:

Just unbolted the control panel shown in the pics , I like the rolling carts I see on many layouts shown here .

 

 

Yup.

Having the panel move just makes for needing a lot of cables to attach it.

Here is the plan hopefully

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Having the panel move just makes for needing a lot of cables to attach it.

I agree but must admit I have 2 roll out control panel that I bought from Mainne and LOVE them. It allows me to push them under bench after starting everything yet wheel them out for working or even table top access. Like everything there are pluses and minuses.

Curtis

oldone posted:

Here is the plan hopefully

If I am seeing this correctly whichever direction you are going, to get back to the outside loop after coming to the inside loop requires a backup!

Curtis

I might have missed that ! This is a pretty ambitious plan for me - the track alone (no turnouts ) is almost $800 😩  I’ll just get it in stages 👍

You need the crossover track with 4 switches at the top center connecting the outside and inside loop.

You can build the two loops and change it as you acquire track.

Thanks for your help guys . Several years ago I vowed to never build another wide tabletop    layout again - only a 2 ft or so wide shelf with reverse loops at each end . You can see for yourself what happened . 😳