Layout help

Hi Jim,

I took a look at your SCARM file and was having difficulty coming up with some alternatives since I don't know the shape of your table.  If you could add a baseboard to the plan it would really help us help you.  Also, forgive me if I've misunderstood, you used all Ross track in the SCARM file and said you're using Gargraves as well?  Otherwise it looks good to me so far though!

- Victor

Hi Victor,

Thanks for taking a look.  I'm using flexible Gargraves track on my layout but using Ross track in Scarm was easier for me.  I don't know how to add a baseboard, but I tried in the attached.  I put a red circle around the trouble area.  I will say I put a level on the 2 switches and saw that where they meet was 1/8 inch low.  I shimmed them up and that helped a lot.

Jim,

This pic helps a lot.  I could spend hours on SCARM messing around with track plans so I'll see what I can come up with.  Also, are you using the flextrack for ALL of your curves? If so, what's the radius you've set?  I'm asking so I can get a more accurate representation for your layout.

Victor,

Yes I’m using flex track everywhere. The 2 mainlines are O64 and O54. The inner curves by the red circle are O54 and the outer curve goes from O72 on the switch to O54.  The curves on both sides of the bridge are O64. 

Jim,

Here's what I came up with as a first attempt.  The only O-54 switch left is the curved O-72/O-54 that you didn't want to replace.  I changed the two Right Hand O-54 switches to O-64 Ross switches and added some more segments of flextrack that are not O-64 (circled in red).  I did this in order to stay true to your original plan (operating under the assumption that you're well versed with flextrack and can radius it to whatever you need it to be).  Let me know what you think and if this could work!

- Victor

Victor

i will see if that will work within the space I have but it looks good.  Thanks for your help. 

Jim

Victor,

I have 63 inches from the center rail to the wall (red line in pic) so I don't think this is going to work.  Using the ruler in Scarm, I need almost 66 inches.

Victor,

I keep having trouble with the O72/O54.  I think because it's right next to the O54.  I think I am going to do something like the below and not use the O72/O54.  This will also give me a longer spur for storage.  I think I have too much going on in that curve.

Hey Jim,

That looks good! That curved switch ate up a lot of room in that narrow area there. I love the longer spur and how you reconfigured the wye portion.  I'm in the process of planning a new layout similar in size to yours actually and this is some great inspiration.  Hope it works out for you and that all your engines no longer have any issues. 

- Victor

Victor,

I would love to see your layout plan when you have it and let me know if I can help. Thanks again for your help. 

Hey Jim,

After spending some time deciding what size and shape layout would reasonably fit in my space I came up with this.  Started with a 16' x 10' table at the top and then I added on an 8' square portion to complete the L shape.  I will most like use MTH Scaletrax with all O-72 curves and switches and #4 switches for the crossovers.  Also, I'll able to walk around the entire table in the space that this would fit, which is a plus. 

I have 0-54 smallest and have very few issues with large diesels.  Are you sure your flex track is really 0-54?  

I like your plan but it looks like the circled area is sharper radius.

John

According to scarm, all of my flextrack pieces are O-72 or larger.  Also, every sectional piece of curved track is in fact O-72, with the exception of a few O-80 pieces just for smoother lines.

Hey Victor

Looks like a fun layout!   It will be nice that you can walk around the whole layout. I’m jealous.

 I am finishing up the changes to mine.  It works much better with my large diesels and I think it’s a better configuration.

Thanks Jim.  I will admit, your reverse loop with wye was great inspiration. It's really a great idea if you have the room like we do.  Really glad to hear your addition works better now, it's great that you got it like you wanted it. Enjoy!

Victor,

I was looking at your layout.  Just an idea to put both reversing loops on the same area that way you don't need it in the middle of the main section.  You'd also have to move your crossovers.  Just thought I'd throw it out there as an idea.

Jim,

That's an interesting idea, although I think I would like to have that split down the middle of the main table so it separates the mountain area from the town area.  A "hard" boundary if you will.  And since I'm a glutton for punishment, I just came up with this variation that expands the middle loop with some O-63 curves at the bottom of L. Call me crazy!

Victor

i like it. I think you’ll enjoy having the double mainline around the whole layout. 

Hey Victor

I thought I would show you how the changes came out. Attached is a short video of the section that was giving me trouble. 

Hey Jim,

Train operation looks real smooth!  Love the consist too, BNSF paint scheme is great.