Here is what I am thinking about for my Fastrack Home Layout

Dennis,

Three comments:

1. No identified access hatches in middle of plan;  reaching those switches and eventual derailments in the middle will be very difficult without them.  And, how long will you be comfortable "ducking" the long way to a hatch?

2. Yard configuration/length isn't going to be adequate unless you are only talking about 4-6 car consists.  Yard also lacks the often recommended "yard lead."

3. How will your upper level be supported?  If the lower level track underneath will not be visible, think hard about how complicated you want the hidden track to be.

Even with these potential issues, your plan still looks like a lot of fun!

Chuck

I hope you are not planning to run BIG steam engines on that layout.They will be de railing like crazy.Looks great for smaller engines though.

Nope just small stuff and will take any big stuff to the Club Layout...

If it's just for occasional use and grand kids, I think it's overly complicated.  I would do one or two spurs for switching just for the heck of it, a separate trolley line in super streets for ease of install, and some big loops that snake around a bit for visual interest.  Add some features close to the edge that they can play with, a farm, etc. and use inexpensive 0-27 rolling stock that you don't have to worry about.  

I would also suggest a bump and go trolley, with a pushbutton so the kids can trigger an out-and-back. 

ed

Dennis, this looks like a fun layout, and I get using O-36.   However, with some adjustments, it appears that you could use O-48 for the outside line on the left side.   It will better match with the O-36 as two parallel lines flowing through the curves at the corners for a better and more satisfying look.  

There is less friction going around wider curves, so a decently-long train (10 cars) will slow less going around O-48 curves than it will with O-36.  It appears that the outer line is also going up a grade, so the friction element will be important to train performance, and less throttle management to get the train up, and avoid a runaway on the way down.   For that matter, the wider curves can support higher train speeds so a high-speed derailment on the way down becomes a bit less likely (any kids at the throttle?).

-Ken