First Layout - Help O72

There are some ideas in this thread:

https://ogrforum.com/...-for-a-smaller-space

Xavier,  I just put this 6-1/2 X 12' together.  The outside loop is O-72,  center loop is O-48 ( with a 10" straight in the center of each radius ) and the inter loop is O-36. 

Doug 

boomer0622 posted:

Xavier,  I just put this 6-1/2 X 12' together.  The outside loop is O-72,  center loop is O-48 ( with a 10" straight in the center of each radius ) and the inter loop is O-36. 

Doug 

Thanks Doug -- nice layout and good to see how it could look like!

Xavier posted:

I have a limited space of roughly 8x7. 

... I'm trying to see if I can make a layout with an outside loop for the BB using O72...

To give you an idea of the size, this is what an oval of O-72 Lionel FasTrack looks like in an 8'x7' area. To maximize the inner space a 5" straight was added at each end and a 5" and 10" was added for the long run. 

My suggestion is to save that space for a layout with smaller radius curves and build a ceiling loop for the Big Boy. Here's why: You need to consider how you are going to get to the middle of the layout. If it is a walk-in type layout, it will require you to crawl under the layout or build a lift gate. If not, you will have to plan your access hatches accordingly. Even then, you are very limited to what you can place on the inner portion of the layout. If it is a walk-around type layout, you will have no room to do so, unless there is extra space you haven't told us about. O-72 track is 6' center rail to center rail. You will need to add another 4" ~ 6" for the center rail to the outside of the ties and then add in any length of the overhang of the Big Boy. Even without the 5" straights at each end, you are out of real estate.

Can you do an around-the-walls pike with most of the room thus remaining open?

ChessieFan72 posted:

Xavier posted:

I have a limited space of roughly 8x7. 

... I'm trying to see if I can make a layout with an outside loop for the BB using O72...

To give you an idea of the size, this is what an oval of O-72 Lionel FasTrack looks like in an 8'x7' area. To maximize the inner space a 5" straight was added at each end and a 5" and 10" was added for the long run. 

My suggestion is to save that space for a layout with smaller radius curves and build a ceiling loop for the Big Boy. Here's why: You need to consider how you are going to get to the middle of the layout. If it is a walk-in type layout, it will require you to crawl under the layout or build a lift gate. If not, you will have to plan your access hatches accordingly. Even then, you are very limited to what you can place on the inner portion of the layout. If it is a walk-around type layout, you will have no room to do so, unless there is extra space you haven't told us about. O-72 track is 6' center rail to center rail. You will need to add another 4" ~ 6" for the center rail to the outside of the ties and then add in any length of the overhang of the Big Boy. Even without the 5" straights at each end, you are out of real estate.

Thanks for this! I never thought about a ceiling loop, i may be able to pull it off, it just seemed a bit intimidating as this would be my first layout. But the more i think about it, this may be the way to go.

geysergazer posted:

Can you do an around-the-walls pike with most of the room thus remaining open?

I have started to look into this, i just need to see how to go about planning for it as i do have a door that i would need to access. Thanks for this suggestion!

Xavier posted:

geysergazer posted:

Can you do an around-the-walls pike with most of the room thus remaining open?

I have started to look into this, i just need to see how to go about planning for it as i do have a door that i would need to access. Thanks for this suggestion!

Access can be pretty simple: