I am in the planning phase for a moderate sized 3 rail O scale layout. My theme is a shortline operation--maybe logging or mining, or industrial areas. My first plan had a reverse loop to reverse loop lower level with only 072 curves and 072 switches, with a connecting elevated loop which was designed around 054 curves and 054 switches. My thinking was that I could run most everything on the bottom, and reserve the top for engines that could handle the 054 curves. However, after reading posts in this forum and else where, I have almost concluded that I should do some more "crowding" of the track, and make the entire layout have a minimum 072 curve, and 072 switches. It is doable in my space, it just makes the scenery and tunnel portals a little tougher to design and locate. I hope to someday own an MTH or Lionel three truck shay,and I realize they have problems with sharp curves. Has anyone had any experience operating Shay's or Climax's on 072 switches and 072 curves? I would hate to go through all of this, and find that I still fell short of my goal.
Jeffrey Fikes
Hamilton,AL
