First Layout

I like it! I think you've come up with a layout plan that will be fun to run trains! Plus, as you mentioned, you have a way to expand the layout later, if you choose! Also, update as you go. I'd like to see how it progresses!

Rusty

If you're looking to build a more permanent layout, . I respectfully suggest you look into buying gargraves track and Ross switches.

Lionel made FasTrack primarily for the purpose of setting up a temporary Loop of track to get the trains rolling.

Ross custom switches are the best switches on the market by far bar none! The gargraves Flex track allows a person to get any diameter curved they need to make.

Before you invest a lot in the temporary setup FasTrack. You may want to research train track. Fortunately, I was able to unload all the FasTrack I had when the time came and it pretty much held its value at least relatively close. Fast track is not cheap.

While Fastrack is ideal for temporary layouts, many of us use Fastrack on permanent layouts with good results.  So if that is your track of choice then, by all means, go with it.   I have found Fastrack's conductivity properties to be excellent (never had power-drop issues using only 2 wires on an 8 x 12 two-main Legacy layout powered by an MRC Pure Power transformer) and I have found their switches to be bullet-proof in terms of reliability and performance.  I am also going with Gargraves and some Atlas-O on an elevated line.

Rick

I have to disagree with John C.  Ross and Gargraves are great track systems but there is nothing wrong with Fastrack and the switches are very easy to setup and control, plus no extra components or wiring is needed for a first time layout.  With the others you have to buy separate switch machine components and also a lot more wiring.  They are much, much more expensive than Fastrack switches after adding in all the components.  My whole layout is Fastrack and it works beautifully and incorporates all the Lionel LCS components so easily.  

He's got a great track plan and it would be very reasonable in cost for a Fastrack layout.

Here's a link to my videos of my layout and all the things I found out during my first build and you can see I chose Fastrack, not just for cost but ease of interoperability with the switches, and LCS system, legacy remote control, etc.

https://ogrforum.com/...ildhood-dream?page=1

Welcome, CJ!  Glad to hear you and your daughter are enamored with the trains. O is an excellent choice, one that will wear well with time.

Very cool layout plan there. I might look for ways to go with wider-radius switches, especially for the harder-to-reach one in the middle. The tighter the turn, the more frequent the derailments.

But... for a 3yo, especially as a first layout, I'd skip the elevation gain and go super simple for a play-ready setup. A double loop with passing siding will actually have more play value, as she can then run the inner loop train while playing with the outer loop train; she can also reach all track & switches to attempt re-railing on her own. A flat layout also gives her more of a clean slate to put up whatever she wants for scenery - which, if you're handy with cardboard and art supplies, could grow and change quite a bit over the years!

My advice to anyone thinking about getting into "O" railroading is to put together a simple 4x6 FasTrack one-loop with a siding as a Christmas layout. I did this in 1986, but it wasn't until 2005 that I built a year 'round layout. But even that one, at 5x8, is "small" compared to most (and is FasTrack as well). Just remember, the more track you try to cram onto your layout, the less room for scenics that will add a interesting realistic touch.

A comment on your old Tyco "HO" stuff. It was poor quality, and probably turned many people off of the hobby. Today, with brands like KATO, "HO" and "N" is MUCH improved.

I second Joe's suggestion - with the caveat that more track (and fewer switches) is better. She'll have you trying all kinds of layouts, all over whatever floor space is available, if you've got the track sections handy to try 'em out.

I also found my Dad's old HO ran, but not reliably - and that the new stuff is far better. When I built him a new HO layout, the old stuff all ended up on sidings, even after updates & rebuilds. But fiddling with even the better new stuff was still finicky enough to serve as a reminder I was happier with O than with HO.

I never used fastrack until this year, we placed it around the Christmas tree for a cleaner look.  I have been very please with it.  I have always used O gauge tubular in the past.  Fastrack has a nice look to it, and has very good electrical connectivity.  I have a single power drop on an oval with 16 pieces and see no voltage drop (to the eyes anyway, haven't tested it with a voltmeter or anything).

The layout plan you posted is very interesting, and I like it.   Although, I have to say a simple and running layout is better than a complex layout that takes forever to fully set up and you never get to run trains on it.

Part of the fun as a kid is changing the layout over time and not getting locked into a certain track plan.  Start simple, with eye toward expanding to the layout you have posted above.  You know your skills and amount of free time best, but you could consider a slightly modified plan, that keeps it on one level for now.  Then as time allows, you can work towards a second level.

Another tip, incorporate your child's other toys with the layout.  This helps give the train a purpose such as taking the Paw Patrol dogs from their house to an 'emergency' somewhere on the track.  Small dolls love to travel by train, too!  The layout also gives a space for the latest lego kit your child made.  The train is more fun when integrated with other toys because the train becomes their mode of transportation anywhere on the table.

A sturdy table is a must if you are not setting up on the floor.  Will this be a permanent set up or more seasonal for Christmas?

Do you own O gauge trains now?  Will you run conventional transformer controlled trains? Lionchief controlled trains? TMMC/Legacy command trains?

Thanks for the replies. Honestly I haven't looked at many other types of track. We are getting the LionChief Polar Express train and I just wanted the what looks essentially plug and play, although I'm not afraid of doing any soldering if there seems to be any power drops. 

Our plan right now is to build the table with 1x4s as a frame with 2in foam on top of 1/4 plywood as the base and foldable/removable legs. It's going to be mostly a Holiday layout which we can fold the legs up and hang on a wall so it needs to be fairly light weight. We plan on collecting Department 56 Christmas Village pieces and rotating them out through the years. 

Looks like a great little layout. Fastrack is a really good system with lots of track sizes and diameters. I been using it since 2004 without problems.

I like your layout plan as well. Looks interesting and I hope your daughter likes it too. I think she will. I am with the others that say there is nothing wrong with Fastrack. I don't think there are any 'bad' track systems out there these days, they all have quirks and can all be made to work reliably. To me track is a personal thing, everyone has their preference, but they don't all use the same track systems.

Just an FWIW (for what it's worth) here, another good point for Fastrack is that it will probably be easier for little one(s) to take apart and put together. Which they might like to do at some point. My grand kids (boy & girl) had a bunch of Thomas wooden track when they were in the 3-5 year old range and I think they had more fun creating layouts then they did actually running Thomas & Friends. Grandaughter (now 17) has lost interest, but my grandson (13) has some HO trains and he still likes changing the layout every so often. He also comes over here and helps me change things once in a while.

There are a lot of folks here that can help you with wiring, power, and almost anything else you can think of train related. If you need some assistance or have questions just ask and someone will be able to help. Great bunch of knowledgeable folks here! Good Luck!