Layout is planned. Check this out thanks to Moonman

With an o-27 track plan and the limited space you have, may I suggest rethinking reversing loops. If  there is room, I would incorporate a siding to allow some switching interest.  Hope you enjoy the project.  Keep us updated. 

Thanks for your input.  I appreciate it.   Nothing written in stone about the layout.

Your table sizes are almost bang-on for the 'layout-on-a-door" idea. Here's a selection from Thortrain's 0-31 ideas.

http://www.thortrains.net/marx/drlay311.html

Some messing around with track combinations and scenic dividers would make an interesting layout.

Also for more ideas, here's forum member Jim Policastro's 0-27 layout from OGR : 

https://ogrforum.com/t...-o27-layout-in-3-x-4

I remembered Jim's layout because I have enough Standard Gauge track to do a simple version of it with the sector plate.

Nothing wrong with a small layout and 27" curves.  If you're looking for track and switches, please email me (email address in my profile). I have enough extra 27" curves and 1121 O27 switches and switch controllers to cover you but am too low on straight track to sell any of those.

There are pros and cons to the postwar 1121 switches. I think they look and operate great. Well lit, easy to see from the lighting if you're on green or red. The downside is that they are not non-derailing, so you have be on the ball when switching a train from, say, a mainline to a siding. You can make them non-derailing putting a piece of insulated track in front of the switch.

I believe the postwar O27 1122 and modern 5121/5122 switches ARE non-derailing, but I never cared for their cheaper, less well-lit way of signaling direction.

Thanks for the offer of the curves and switches.  I'll be contacting you later in the summer.

Larry, let me know when your ready, and just pay shipping. I have good 027 track and switches I'll never use. Glad to see you getting back into 3 rail, and posting again,

Bob

Hey Larry, I'm just a few hours north of you in Drayton Valley. Trains and Such down by Chinook mall still had a fair amount of O and O27 stuff the last time I was in there. Guys move on and around but Jim and Rick B were always very helpful to me. Shoot me an email if you need a hand with anything else, I've got some old O27 I might be able to spare.

Hi, Larry! Good to hear from you! You know that we can come up with something.

Fuzz, good to know you are near Larry. He's definitely a train guy.

The Thor trains site is a good place to look for small layout track plans. It looks like Trains and Such has Atlas track. Atlas makes an O27 curve. Give them a call and find out what they have in stock track for track and switches. You can fit 031 on a 36"W table.

So, do you really want to use 6' x 9' along the walls in an L shape? That's what 2 - 3' x 6' tables use.  One 3' x 6' and one 3' x 3' square would give you a 6' x 6' L along the walls.

Carl, I have the room for 2 3X6 tables.  In effect giving me a 6 X 9 layout like your 2nd drawing, except reversed

Hi Larry,

 if you have room for 2 36" x 80" tables using hollow core door blanks could be an EASY way to go, I used that method for my Halloween layout and it works Really Well.

 The book "Easy Lionel Layouts You can Build" by Peter Riddle, has MANY track plans designed for this method. He shows single table, multiple table divisible, and multiple table indivisible plans.  If there isn't a plan in there that jumps out at you, there will probably be something that makes you think, " If I just moved that switch, curve or straight, THERE, that would be PERFECT". Peter covers pretty close to most of the combinations you could come up with, in the space you have to work with.

 There are 10 copies on Amazon from $4.00 - $20.00 plus $4.00 shipping, and 2 on ebay for $19.95. I find myself looking at my copy every so often, and keep wanting to find the time to do a logging themed layout of the "Up and Away" plan in his book, I just wish that Atlas O, offered SWITCHES in 027 configuration, I have a bunch of Atlas O 027 curves and asstd straights.

Doug

If postwar is OK, I'm certain I could donate something like a 2037 or 2026 and some cars. I seem to be infested with them. Again, just cover shipping.

Thanks for all the help offered guys.  When 'm ready later this summer I'll contact you direct to your e mails. 

Really, thank.  My e mail for direct talk is Larrwen@hotmail.com.Hers is a pic or 2 of my past layouts.

I wouldn't totally rule out using regular 31" O gauge track. It will give you more options for engines. Attached is a mockup I've made...basically, this is an edited down version of my own layout, adjusted to fit your two 6'x3' tables. This would give you the option to change direction, as well as offer two sidings to park one fright train and one passenger train.  I'd just suggest using smaller engines, if steam, stick with a switcher or tank engine, or use a diesel switcher. 

Tim

Tim, I think this is great !   Is it all 0-31 curves and switches  I count 13 full 0-31 curves.  Would that be correct ?

I think a nice rail king or Lionel traditional  size diesel or an older Lionel 442 steamer would work out fine.

Thanks for this great idea.   I hope to get started on the table in May. And I can make the longer part and extra foot also.

Larry3railtrains posted:

Tim, I think this is great !   Is it all 0-31 curves and switches  I count 13 full 0-31 curves.  Would that be correct ?

I think a nice rail king or Lionel traditional  size diesel or an older Lionel 442 steamer would work out fine.

Thanks for this great idea.   I hope to get started on the table in May. And I can make the longer part and extra foot also.

I have it counted out as;

(14) 31" curves
(20, approx) 10" straights, with some cutting involved
(2) left hand 31" turn outs
(4) right hand 31" turn outs

Certainly an extra foot, or even inches, will be of help when you go to build. 
I don't currently have a computer with my RRT software installed (It's PC only and I'm on a mac), But I should have it running soon and will make amore exact file for you. What I shared above is a Photoshopped edit of my layout schematic in which my inner loop is 31", with an outer loop of 42" curves, all fitting on 4' wide tables.

Tim

Tim,

It is a nice track plan. I was wondering why fitment was strange. This is a real nice plan for this space.

Larry,

I created the track plan in K-Line Super Snap. It required a few cut straight tracks. You can cut the middle out of the straights and use O or O27 pins to join the end pieces. This will look a lot nicer than O-Lionel. I also had problems with the Lionel O switch motor interfering with the top center siding.

I ran a sim with a small diesel, like an SD38-2. It doesn't look bad. I think I had 4 cars and caboose. It fit.

I changed the siding on the right so it could be accessed when going in the same direction for the siding in the center.

Larry, there is a nice selection on e-Bay now that you could acquire for a reasonable cost. As always, the switches are the money.

Here is the detail in pdf form, track plan, parts list and the 3D.

Larry,

I have another track plan that I created using Ross. The switch count and cost was a killer. I don't know the profile of K-Line Super Snap. Ross is O27 height. If Super Snap is O27, I'll convert the Ross plan to it. it needed the Ross O32 wyes, but could use the Super Snap track and switches. Similar flow with a cross to Tim's plan.  

I can say, using Tim's plan with the simulator, that it's a fun plan for the size.

Did you sell all of your stuff before you moved? It sounds like you will be starting over again. Will you use the fold-up tables? Tim's plan would require only three tracks to be removed to store the 3' x 6' sections as I have built. Just follow the 3 blocks from the right, bottom to top.

To Tim and Cael.   Boy, you both are so helpful.  I will look into getting K line Track again, if I can afford it.   I sold EVERYTHING I had, including tools, etc.  Once I have the track I can probably get a friend to cut whatever I need.  My first step is getting the lumber purchased and cut.  Can not cut any lumber here. I'm trying to contact the fellow that built my last rumpus room a few years ago.  I'll keep you all posted on here. 

Thanks guys.  Really.

Larry in Calgary.

And to Carl  - The K line track I had is Identical to LIONEL "O" Gauge in height and pins.

A long time ago K-line has an 0-27 Supertrack with brown ties.   My first layout in the 90's as with this track in 0-27 and 0-42 curves.