First Layout (design only)

For some reason SCARM won't let you turn off the track supports on O-27 scale Lionel track... You will have to mentally omit lol.

Ted

Good luck with the layout. Very nice

For a first layout that is one nice plan!! Be prepared to post pictures of your progress. The guys on here love their pictures!!

Very cool!!

Yes!  Looking forward to progress pics!

Peter

geologically, the valley would make more sense if the river would run through closer to the center.  the other plus from this arrangement would be to keep switches off bridges which is usually not a good idea.

unless you are fine with very small (2-3 car) trains, i would push the length to 14 or 16 feet opening up the valley floor a bit more and giving the sidings better length.

it would be interesting to operate the short upper loop with some sort of stop/ go automatic control.  after the train enters the tunnel stop the entire train inside the mountain for 15-30 seconds or so before continuing.  it would add the visual effect of a longer mainline.

good luck with the project.

cheers...gary

OK, after careful re-planning of the future train room I was able to add a 12 sq-ft L on to the layout. It is good to be the guy with the plans... lol. There is no room for added length.

While I don't agree that the river would be centered in the valley geographically, I can see the sense in not placing switches on bridges so the river moved.

Changes - 

Blue track (3) is the uppermost layer at an approximate 18" track elevation. It is just an over and back, possibly mining scene.

Red track (2) is the middle layer and now occupies the L as well. It can just run round and round or can attach to a siding on the Green and Orange layer (1) via a small helix and a 5% max grade. Geeez now I hate this hobby... I gotta buy a Heisler to pull the grade... oh shucky darn! lol. I am not sure if I should make this a continuation of the mining scene on the top or maybe a logging scene?

Orange track (1) is just a large roundy roundy with a depot siding and a small freight yard. The Green siding could allow the (2) layer loco to move on to the Orange track...

Questions - 

Wiring of the Orange / Red / Green interchange through the Purple switch.

Could the track wiring be setup to provide power to the Green siding based on the switch direction? 

This way I could use it for either layer...

The Black switch really needs to be automated... is there a system to allow this or do I get to break out my Pic programmer and a few sensors?

Thanks for the tips guys!

Ted

Hello

Why not double track the orange line all the way to the spur ?

Gives somewhere to hide a train ?

Also run the orange under the Red to give longer run times

Need access to the track

Removable mountain panels ?   

JW

O27Ted,

For your black switch, look for a switch and switch machine with anti-derailing feature.  No matter which way the train enters the green curve, a properly set-up anti-derailing feature will throw the switch in the opposite direction for exit.

Have to admit, though, that I'm not sure any O27 switches are made with that feature.

Chuck

Ted,

Would you share the SCARM file for me to look at?

I think magnetraction engines would be ok or modern engines with traction tires on the grades. I would like to see it on my screen.

Questions - 

Wiring of the Orange / Red / Green interchange through the Purple switch.

Could the track wiring be setup to provide power to the Green siding based on the switch direction? 

This way I could use it for either layer...

The file would help me figure out the interchange. It could be tricky to prevent bridging the transformers.

Dale H. could possibly figure out a detection rail and relay setup to manage the interchange.

The Black switch really needs to be automated... is there a system to allow this or do I get to break out my Pic programmer and a few sensors?

The new versions of the 027 switches are non-derail like their O brethren. 027 curve and 042 curve. That takes care of the black switch. Whichever way the train enters the switch will move when approached for the exit. The next train will enter that way and exit the opposite and so on. The part numbers in SCARM in the 027 library are the modern numbers. He only uses what a manufacturer currently has available, except for a few  track libraries that were created by special request.