How do I figure out how much track I need

Here's a quick setup with simple ovals. First is O42 outside and second is O54, RealTrax doesn't have O48.

You're terrific Dave! Exactly what I need and even tells me how much track to buy and how many straights, curves etc. I will be building a permanent layout next fall 8x14. Are you available for adoption? LOL Seriously though you'll have to tell me how you figured that out, computer?

I used a layout design program called SCARM on my laptop.

Play Trains,

It's not dumb to set up each loop independently and run them conventionally. Everyone begins somewhere.

Visit the forum often and reduce your learning curve and get assistance whenever you need it. The experience and knowledge represented by the forum members is vast.

Have fun with the layouts!

Dave could have provided you with a parts list. C'mon, Dave.

Carl and Dave, thanks so much for your help! Carl , I think I can get the parts list from the diagrams Dave sent! I have learned a great deal already from this forum, and am amazed at how ready the members are to help each other! Truly a wonderful thing!

" I have learned a great deal already from this forum, and am amazed at how ready the members are to help each other! Truly a wonderful thing!"

Best reason to come here, you will soon be sharing what you have learned with others.

Ray

Carl, of course, I can provide the parts lists. I wasn't sure either of these were what he wanted. Here they are with the 10" straights and also with 30" straights:

O42 outer w/10" straights

O42 outer w/30" straights

O54 outer w/10" straights

O54 outer w/30" straights

 And just to make sure, here are the designs with 30" straights:

Dave,

You are much too sensitive, I am just breaking them - he figured it out - the nuances of voice intonation are lost in the printed word, hence the winky emoji

it's all good my friend.

Oh, I know you were just messing with me, Carl, so I messed with you right back.

Carl, I think Dave was helping me save some dignity by figuring I could at least count what i needed! LOL! Dave, parts list is great , not necessary but much appreciated ! I can see that program you used in my future! Am I correct in assuming I don't need power drops? See, I am learning stuff!

Actually, I wanted to point out the 30" straights to save you some joints, show you another feature of SCARM and the lists didn't take any time at all. SCARM is a great Windows program that used to be free when it was in beta, but now has a price tag and I think it's worth the price for the 3D simulation alone. I also use RR-Track, but it's more expensive and there are pros/cons to both programs.

DoubleDAZ posted:

I used a layout design program called SCARM on my laptop.

Just downloaded "SCARM".
It take a bit to get use to the controls but works great.
Planning for a small layout on a 4' X 8' tables with two loops.

Outside a simple standard gauge loop and inside a loop with 027 track and a couple of switches ( have both 
"O" and "027" track but only "027" switches.
Nothing fancy but something to run some prewar/postwar

It has a slight learning curve, but SCARM is a lot of fun too.

Especially the 3d view.

I am to the point where I will at least attempt computer stuff, anxious to at least try SCARM. You need to know that up until a few yrs ago I thought the flashing 12 was for ambiance! LOL

Just don't give up until you ask for help. My email is in my profile and I will be glad to help with the learning curve.

Thanks Dave for your very generous offer! May take you up on that moving forward! I think I'm good for now but sometime in the future when I start a permanent layout all bets will be off! Thanks again!

This will cause a witch hunt but why do you need to "plan"for a layout this small? Just go buy a bunch of track and start building .....You might make a few trips to the hobby shop but you are likely to make some new friends doing it.That could be a good thing  man.Nick