Fastrack on Steriods Need Help

Personally I would look for ways to connect some of those loops together so the turntable would be more useful. They're all separate right now, correct?

You might also leave space for scenery and perhaps operating accessories, the kids like those as well.

Yeah they are all separate for now my kids are a bit young for switching but I love the idea down the road.  All stuff to the right is going to be a big mountain with upper scenery and middle will be reserved for town scene.  I am torn between large box type layout or a more of l shape that allows for a lot easier access.

I'm with Matt, if you are going to have a turntable, you should have as many of the loops connected as possible.  You don't have to include ability for the kids to do the switching since they are young.  Also, if you think they are too young for switching, then they are too young for the turn table, IMHO, because you should have a small yard for the cars if you have a turn table for the locomotives.  Got to have a place to store all the different cars the different locomotives will pull.

Merlin,
   Personally I would use all FasTrack with Command Control Switches, running both DCS & Legacy, especially if you plan to run any Tin Plate Trains. Remember to leave room for a programming Track also.  Love the Round House turn table, but you better have some serious room to make it work properly.  If you really want to get creative, you can go up another level for street cars, and bumper cars also.   I would build my own wooden trestle, for custom design work, standard trestle limits your building design to much when you eventually want to expand, even further.
PCRR/Dave

Some of the FasTrack Office/Gameroom layout before the invention of FasTrack Command Control Switches.

Definitely Fastrack, that's what I use and the electrical continuity is amazing!!..I run both DCS and TMCC. As far as the Turnable goes there very nice, I have and prefer the Transfer table, but as someone else wrote you need to work to have all your track connect to take advantage of it. In the end when all tracks are connected.....much more fun...It's a GREAT HOBBY!!!...Have Fun!!!

Barry

I was in a similar position though with a much smaller space (5'x10'). My layout was built to favor operating accessories which the kids absolutely love. Even my 2 year old knows which button push for each accessory. I have mine set up so I can run two trains at once with the inner train having a reversing operation. The four switches that can cause trains to move from one loop to another I place away from the others to prevent any Addams Family mishaps. The siding switches are all manuals. It's a lot of action packed into a pretty compact space. I really struggled with how to have an interesting layout in a small space. Incorporating crossovers turned out to be a great way to expand my possibilities and create some longer runs. With the space you have you should be able to easily run 3-4 trains without things getting to crowded or having too many levels.

The one thing you should definitely think about is access to some of those inner loops. 

Merlin,

You really need 8' minimum for a 24" Atlas turntable and a Korber roundhouse. SCARM file attached.

Put something else where the TT is and add your switching and TT as the children mature. (or hide the switch controls, like SeattleSUP) Add some accessories, and buildings as previously suggested.

Of course, it's your rr, do what you like. Just have fun.

I love all the feedback and it is greatly appreciated does anyone have any layouts where the transfer table or turntable feed multiple tracks?  Thanks again, I have a blank canvas and I want it do be the best it can out of the gate.  All track plans welcome.

How do I save that SCARM file so I can view it?

Right-click on the link-select "save file as" and save where you can find it on your computer...then double-click the file and it will open with SCARM

Check out the 3D

Wow that looks great thanks again