Response from members on the Tangent news was a very good read on that subject.

This current Home Layout response has been very good as well. Nice to read and see the ideas and pictures that were posted.

Happy New Year

Jim ,

On the other side of the room I transition to the smallest readymade turnouts and track. I forget what code. I did not want to hand build code 148 turnouts. I kind of poofed up the ballast so it is not so obvious to un informed guests. Speaking of guests, it's always the wives that really dig the trains. Not so much their husbands. Pitty.

Ron H

@Ron H posted:

Jim ,

On the other side of the room I transition to the smallest readymade turnouts and track. I forget what code. I did not want to hand build code 148 turnouts. I kind of poofed up the ballast so it is not so obvious to un informed guests. Speaking of guests, it's always the wives that really dig the trains. Not so much their husbands. Pitty.

Ron H

Thanks Ron.  I found there is only a small percentage of guys that like trains.  Way tougher than finding other "Car Guys" to talk with.

Speaking of cars, I drive an 07 Z06 which runs in the 11s on the street on concrete, not on asphalt. It's been my experience most guys that say they like cars and maybe drive a Datsun Z, Miata or something kind of similar are terrified if I give them an acceleration run in the Z06. But , I've been racing for almost 50 years so I'm used to it.

However I wouldn't ride with an inexperienced super car driver.

I’m in Phoenix, AZ and have a floor layout currently. I just graduated college this year so I’ll be looking to get a home soon and join the ranks of the home layout builders! For now here is a video of some MTH 2rl locomotives and mostly converted freight cars.

Bigboy 25, cool trains. Glad to see a young man in the Hobby.

Ron H

I've been able to obtain the turnouts I need, but I'm seriously looking at selling off my ScaleTrax flex and rigid sections and using Micro Engineering Code 148 2-rail track with a "wire" to support my 3-rail locomotives that I can't convert (or maybe switch them to dead rail). I've been converting cars at a rate of about one every other week.

Are there any two rail layouts or clubs in or near Detroit?  I'll be up that way next week for a few days.

@AGHRMatt posted:

"... using Micro Engineering Code 148 2-rail track with a "wire" to support my 3-rail locomotives that I can't convert..."

Please elaborate...🙂

Mark (back) in Oregon

@Strummer posted:

Please elaborate...🙂

Mark (back) in Oregon

Years ago, there was an article in OGR where the author hand laid code 148 track with a code 100 center rail. My thought process is to use commercial code 148 flex and install code 83 rail as a center pickup (blackened using neolube).

An earlier article discussed laying a wire supported on brass wood screws, but I'm not sure about the long term stability of that option. I'd also be concerned that the height would potentially cause the equipment to "ride up" on the wire and cause the wheels to climb out of the track.

Scale Trax is code 192 and I'd need to shim the approach tracks by about 1mm to match the height and elevate the center rail separately.

I will document everything I do regarding the build.

@AGHRMatt posted:

Years ago, there was an article in OGR where the author hand laid code 148 track with a code 100 center rail. My thought process is to use commercial code 148 flex and install code 83 rail as a center pickup (blackened using neolube).

An earlier article discussed laying a wire supported on brass wood screws, but I'm not sure about the long term stability of that option. I'd also be concerned that the height would potentially cause the equipment to "ride up" on the wire and cause the wheels to climb out of the track.

Scale Trax is code 192 and I'd need to shim the approach tracks by about 1mm to match the height and elevate the center rail separately.

I will document everything I do regarding the build.

Keep in mind that when you add the center rail, then you would no longer have a 2-rail layout to post in the 2-rail forum.  In other words, you would need to document it perhaps in the 3-rail scale or layout building/planning forums.

guys...this thread is about 2-rail layouts so please keep the discussion to 2 rails please.  This way those folks that are searching using our (less than perfect) search feature are able to find this thread rather than several threads showing up in their search.  The addition of an "almost invisible center rail using two rail track as a base is great and interesting but should be over on the 3-rail scale or track planning forum(s).  Thanks for your understanding.

I have a 2-rail layout

One of the reason I started this Thread was to find out if 2R Home Layouts (not shelf switching layouts) are practical without needing a huge space.

BigBoy we might be on the same "Track" Pun intended.  That said, I have been also considering what you suggested Matt.  I started a post 3R Blasphemy recently as one idea I had to use 3R equipment on 2R track via dead rail.

So it looks like I may start a tread discussing my quandary.  I will start it under layout planning, since we will be discussing both 2R and 3R options.  That seems like the most appropriate area to me!

@MainLine Steam posted:

One of the reason I started this Thread was to find out if 2R Home Layouts (not shelf switching layouts) are practical without needing a huge space.

You'll have to define "practical",

@mwb posted:

You'll have to define "practical",

If somebody already did it, it must be practical.  I think they would be too embarrassed to post their Layout if the trains keep falling off the track.

In my area, I can count 5 O scale 2 rail layouts right now.    I know of another about 75 miles away.    There are also at least 2  under construction that I am aware of.    There was another large layout, but the builder/owner died a few years ago.   

A question for the administrators: Is the poster who calls himself OGR  (without posting an email or other address) a member of the OGR staff or merely  a troll imposing his narrow definition on this topic? Just asking? Curious minds want to know.

@MainLine Steam posted:

One of the reason I started this Thread was to find out if 2R Home Layouts (not shelf switching layouts) are practical without needing a huge space.

BigBoy we might be on the same "Track" Pun intended.  That said, I have been also considering what you suggested Matt.  I started a post 3R Blasphemy recently as one idea I had to use 3R equipment on 2R track via dead rail.

So it looks like I may start a tread discussing my quandary.  I will start it under layout planning, since we will be discussing both 2R and 3R options.  That seems like the most appropriate area to me!

I will probably catch a little flak for this, but if it can be done in 3RS, it can be done in 2 rail. 

Can you run everything under the sun? Absolutely not. But you can put a layout together and have plenty of entertainment with a reasonable sized space if you're willing to make a few sacrifices.

I have a 2 rail layout. It has a *gasp* 36" minimum radius. I started laying it out in 3 rail and decided to switch it to 2 rail (the pandemic did strange things to people). The space limitations were already set, and it runs perfectly fine.  Its a fictional short line. 4 axle diesels are at home, and a lot of vertical can motor 6 axle diesels will also can run on it without a problem (even an ES44AC, yes, it looks a bit goofy, oh well).  I recognize I cant run huge trains and huge equipment, and its fine by me.  If you're willing to accept whatever limitations you put on yourself, then there isnt any reason why you can't have a 2 rail layout. IMO, the minimum layout size is an 80" circle (36" radius plus overhang). Will that layout be fun? Probably not, but it is "practical" since a train would run.

@Boilermaker1 posted:

I will probably catch a little flak for this, but if it can be done in 3RS, it can be done in 2 rail.

Can you run everything under the sun? Absolutely not. But you can put a layout together and have plenty of entertainment with a reasonable sized space if you're willing to make a few sacrifices.

I have a 2 rail layout. It has a *gasp* 36" minimum radius. I started laying it out in 3 rail and decided to switch it to 2 rail (the pandemic did strange things to people). The space limitations were already set, and it runs perfectly fine.  Its a fictional short line. 4 axle diesels are at home, and a lot of vertical can motor 6 axle diesels will also can run on it without a problem (even an ES44AC, yes, it looks a bit goofy, oh well).  I recognize I cant run huge trains and huge equipment, and its fine by me.  If you're willing to accept whatever limitations you put on yourself, then there isnt any reason why you can't have a 2 rail layout. IMO, the minimum layout size is an 80" circle (36" radius plus overhang). Will that layout be fun? Probably not, but it is "practical" since a train would run.

My "problem" is that I like MainLine Steam Locos.  When I inquired on the forum the consensus was Scale Northern (4-8-4) Locos are happiest on 72" Radius and might run on 60" Radius.  Less than that, some will operate, most probably not.

@OGR posted:

Keep in mind that when you add the center rail, then you would no longer have a 2-rail layout to post in the 2-rail forum.  In other words, you would need to document it perhaps in the 3-rail scale or layout building/planning forums.

True, despite my electrical machinations it would technically be a 3-rail layout.

A reply  to Mainline steam  I started with this before i had the opertunity to build my rr it wasn't much but the enjoyment that i got out of it has no words. 1foot x 16 foot

@marty track posted:

A reply  to Mainline steam  I started with this before i had the opportunity to build my rr it wasn't much but the enjoyment that i got out of it has no words. 1foot x 16 foot

Nice!  It is at a good height for viewing. Thanks for posting!

@modeltrainsparts posted:

A question for the administrators: Is the poster who calls himself OGR  (without posting an email or other address) a member of the OGR staff or merely  a troll imposing his narrow definition on this topic? Just asking? Curious minds want to know.

I have to laugh at this question....sorry.  OGR is the moderator account that is used by several different members of our team.  If I moderate, you will see my avatar and title.  So, nope this is not a troll and by the way, I agree with the statement made by "OGR".  This is the 2-rail forum and not the 2-rail with a third rail forum....  By the way, per our TOS, if a member has a problem with how we moderate or a question, please don't post something like that in a thread rather contact me directly or you can get to any of the moderators by emailing info@ogaugerr.com.

@AGHRMatt posted:

True, despite my electrical machinations it would technically be a 3-rail layout.

And with you being the builder, it will be fantastic!  I read through your posts and I think this would make a great article for the magazine plus I will pay you to submit it!!!

@marty track posted:

A reply  to Mainline steam  I started with this before i had the opertunity to build my rr it wasn't much but the enjoyment that i got out of it has no words. 1foot x 16 foot

Nicely done and detailed.  Lots of possibilities for layouts exist and what you can make of them is up to you, the builder.

Hi, I have a few photos to add, too.

Wow!! Absolutely beautiful.

I was waiting for you Chris. Hope the re-assembled version down south comes out as nice. Which I bet will.

That's fantastic!  Where down south is it moving?

I have a few to add also. Mine is a portable and currently partly set up for use in my photo work.

new scratched structures for my engine shops, roundhouse next. When the time is right after my kids get older I’ll build into a semi permanent space but it will always be able to me moved.

Simply breathtaking, Eric. You are a true artist. 👍

Mark in Oregon

FANTASTIC        SETTIG THE BAR FOR ALL OF US

Sure is a tough act to follow. Magnificent display of craftsmanship. Gives us so many ideas.

Thank you

Great photos Erik.

Chris, the move and reconstruction of the layout is going very well, mostly as planned to this point but a few more trips than expected. The structure is going back together better than expected, really pretty easily. I'll have to take some photos of the process.

Dougklink, the layout is moving to Northeast Florida.

I have to check out for a while and get back to the move. Thanks guys.

@Erik C Lindgren posted:

I have a few to add also. Mine is a portable and currently partly set up for use in my photo work.

new scratched structures for my engine shops, roundhouse next. When the time is right after my kids get older I’ll build into a semi permanent space but it will always be able to me moved.

WOW...WOW...WOW!!

@OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

WOW...WOW...WOW!!

Eric is the MASTER.

Dick

@Dougklink posted:

Are there any two rail layouts or clubs in or near Detroit?  I'll be up that way next week for a few days.

The Detroit Model Railroad Club is a 4,000 sq. ft. O scale 2-rail layout.  Here is a link to their website:  http://dmrrc.org/

NH Joe

wonder where eric found that red tractor?

@wb47 posted:

wonder where eric found that red tractor?

He has a Secret Shrinking Machine.  He would let us know how it works, but then he'd have to kill us!

The one that blows me away is the Scenicruiser!  The photography is impressive too, if I was shooting the pictures, the Green Dumpster across the street would show up in all of them.

Erik and Chris Great Stuff.  All I can say is, Thank you to ALL that have posted and of course.

WOW!