Layout help/ideas

terryd73OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

This is the space I have and the table is already built. Currently I run two loops, one that is near the outside edge that is elevated along the 13' edge and the left side coming back level along the right side of the 4' opening. It has 36 in radius currently and I want to change that to 48 in. Inside of that loop I run a second reversing loop also with 36 in radius curves.

There is a mountain in the upper left corner with tunnels for bot the elevated loop and the flat loop. What would you suggest to create the most interesting layout? I have about a dozen 036 switches and tons of 036 curves and 2 full circles of 048 all in Fastrack. What ideas do you have?

Thanks.

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11/25/225:50 PM

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PRR1950OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Well for starters, if you are using O36 and O48 track and switches, you will not be building 36" or 48' radius curves because in the O gauge world, O36 and O48 signify the diameter of the curves. Given the sizes you plan to use (which, by the way, will severely restrict the types of equipment you can run), you should easily be able to build a dogbone type layout or maybe even a folded dogbone type layout.

One last comment; make sure you can easily walk all the way around this layout. Otherwise, you will have to add hatches in places where track will be hard to reach or build the layout so you can crawl on top when necessary. Generally speaking, maximum reach from any edge should be 30" or less.

Chuck

11/25/227:51 PM

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terryd73OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Your are correct, my mistake. I have tons of O36 curves and two full circles of O48 curves. I have been getting up on the table to work on the layout because of the limited room that I have I did not want to give up the 2 feet around the layout for access.

11/26/222:37 PM

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KelunaboyOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Your layout space and table are similar to mine, but for myself tables that were too large to reach over did not work out.

The back wall under the windows is 15ʻ long and 27" deep. The side "wings" are roughly 4ʻx6ʻ on the left and 4ʻx4ʻ on the right. There are a few sections where I have to use a step stool for extra reach. Track is O36 FasTrack, with the right loop increased to O42. Future plans include joining the two loops at the front with a swing-up bridge. The center of the two loops will have more track and scenery added - a harbor on the left, engine facility on the right, and passenger station in the center by the windows. Control panel for switches will be on left side.

Once the bridge is added Iʻll be able to have one train running the perimeter and run switching trains on the left and right wings. I can also use the switches to change the train direction. Once the swing-up bridge is in and the major scenery elements are complete, Iʻll add an upper level loop for more continuous running, which is what I enjoy most.