Commencing Build: 5' x 12' Fastrack 3-4 train layout

Dennis, I have the materials for the layout base ready, just have not had the "gumption" to put it together.  I also have most of the FasTrack ready with ballast on the sides of the roadbed.   Been dealing with some health issues and work recently.   Still my intention to build this layout.  -Ken

Ken, I'm sorry you have had some health issues as of late.  I can identify.

I am glad you have materials and are planning to build the layout.  It is a nice compact design with lots for the operator to do.  I'll look forward to seeing how the layout comes together when you get time to build.

Ken, I too am sorry to hear of your health issues, so please take care of yourself and family as they come first. Last Christmas I tried to build this layout using MTH realtrax. As Realtrax does not offer a 22.5 crossing I used a 45 degree crossing. It made the layout to big for my space. My question is when using Lionel fastrack you list all the needed switches except one as command switches. I only see the need for three command switches. Am I missing something? Trying to cut cost by using switches I already own. Again wishing you a speedy recovery. Thanks Dennis 

Thanks Dennis!

On the turnout question, my plan is to do all as command control so I can switch them from the Legacy controller.   Otherwise do them remote or manual as you like.

Ken, When you are feeling better I hope you give serious thought, like others have suggested , to making your own book of layout designs. I would be the first on line to purchase it!

Ken - be well !

Ken, last year I built a version of this layout using tubular, MTH Realtrax & Fastrack. Not a good or pleasing look. This was done to cut cost. Can this layout be made using mostly fastrack o36 curves and o36 turnouts. I will not need the yard extensions.

Thanks,

Dennis32

Dennis, sure, O36 with some O48.   I may have something like that, but meanwhile, here are some ideas, not the same, but O36 with O36 turnouts:

Or perhaps this arrangement, with O36 inside, but O48 and larger:

Or,

Thanks Ken, The above layouts do not have the same appeal as the other layout. I can't picture running three trains at the same time, or the variety of routes. I might go old school free hand laying track starting with the 22.5 crossover and build it out to see what happens. 

dennis32 posted:

Thanks Ken, The above layouts do not have the same appeal as the other layout. I can't picture running three trains at the same time, or the variety of routes. I might go old school free hand laying track starting with the 22.5 crossover and build it out to see what happens. 

Dennis, how big is your space (if you want to run three trains)?

I would start with the two turnouts back-to-back at the top center.   Then work out the connections to the turnouts feeding the crossing.   Then continue working down to connect the crossing to the inner mainline.

Ken, hope you are feeling better. Please keep us updated on this project. Would like to hear your thoughts on Fastrack. I currently have a small switching layout, all Fastrack. I marvel at what you are able to design in the spaces you have. All your layouts are amazing.

Tom

Ken, my max space is 13x9 carpet central Christmas layout. 13x8 would be ideal. Thanks for the advice. I hope one day your start your book on layout designs, Thanks Dennis

Ken, I broke down and purchased version 5.0 of AnyRail. Can I get a copy of the file?

Thanks, Dennis

dennis32 posted:

Ken, I broke down and purchased version 5.0 of AnyRail. Can I get a copy of the file?

Thanks, Dennis

I had posted this version with O72 turnouts earlier.   If there is a particular variation you are interested in, I will try to find it and post it for you.   Each illustration has a label that should appear in the lower left corner, when you click on it.

BTW, I hope you meant AnyRail 6, that is the most current series.

I got side-tracked building a 4'x10' plan from another discussion thread.   For this one I have all of the track and turnouts, most of which have the roadbed edges ballasted.   I have the benchwork I need to extend my table.   Just have not done anything more.

-Ken

Ken,

Can you post your 8x12x8 Track Plan for ABB3BF31-201C-477D-B2C2-F82C3F425B00. You made this layout for Blake.

Thanks,

Dennis32

Ken-Oscale posted:

Sure AngryToothBrush (cool!), I hope this is useful to you:

Awesome! Do you by chance have this same diagram with part numbers for the layout without the crossover? Or did I miss a post?

Thanks!

Greetings Friends.   I'm new to the group and O gauge since I have been a G scale Railroader for some time.  Ken, excellent job and hope all is well.  My son is now in love with trains so we decided to build  a table based on your design.  I'm sitting around 11 feet by 5 feet but i'm having trouble choosing track.  I was looking at either the FastTrack or Atlas -O.  I was wondering if you had the design in the Atlas-O or how the conversion would work.  Also if you had some recommendations for a new user, that would be fantastic too.

Thank you 

Welcome Haulingstk!  Ken does a wonderful job on his layout plans!  I’ll let him and others answer your questions on Atlas O track as I don’t use it.  I think it is an excellent product, it is just that I use GarGraves and Ross switches.

1. HaulingSTK posted:

Greetings Friends.   I'm new to the group and O gauge since I have been a G scale Railroader for some time.  Ken, excellent job and hope all is well.  My son is now in love with trains so we decided to build  a table based on your design.  I'm sitting around 11 feet by 5 feet but i'm having trouble choosing track.  I was looking at either the FastTrack or Atlas -O.  I was wondering if you had the design in the Atlas-O or how the conversion would work.  Also if you had some recommendations for a new user, that would be fantastic too.

Thank you 

HaulingSTK:  both are great track systems, a few points IMO off the top of my head:

FasTrack Pros: 

1. no ballasting needed with integrated roadbed
2. turnout machines integrated within the roadbed, so no ugly switch machines on top of the layout next to the track
3. switch machines can be command controlled with TMCC/Legacy, and powered through the rails - no need to run wires for turnouts or build a control panel
4. Works with magne-traction
5. Faster/easier to put a layout together, and get up and running

Fastrack Cons:

1. both a pro and con:  track sections connect tightly, do not come apart (in my experience).  But the integrated plastic roadbed means that track sections must be planned to fit closely without compression.   It is possible to stretch joints a bit, 1/16" looks OK.   But cannot be compressed. 
2. It is difficult, but not impossible to make custom-length track sections.

Atlas Pros:

1. railjoiners have been improved, and allow some flexibility in making layouts connect together
2. Flex track, and the ability to trim sections allow layout shapes to connect with custom size and curved sections
3. Numbered turnouts for high-speed and more realistic looking trackwork

Atlas Cons:

1. Need to ballast track.   Can look really great, but a lot of work IMO.   Others don't mind this task, so could be a pro or con depending on your personal preference.
2. Switch machines on the surface of the layout, or invest in the expense and time of under-table switch machines
3. Must run control and power to the switch machines, and build a control panel
4. No magnetraction effect

Which one looks best:  perhaps Atlas-O if you can ballast your layout.

Both are reliable

Ken, Thank you so much for the response and info, it is well appreciated.  I will definitely take all that into consideration.  Then again for the ease of getting things started and keeping my boy excited, the FasTrack would be an easy way to go.  

Great forum and thank you for all the work you do in building track plans.

One quick question that I have noticed on some of the layouts on here that have reversing loops or switches that would change the direction of the train.  Are power separation clips/blocks or reversal units not needed for the FasTrack as you would need in a 2 rail system?  I know in G scale we have to watch those issues unless a DCC is involved I believe but i'm unfamiliar how it works in the Lionel 3 rail system.  

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread at all, figured it was a good question for a newbie in the FasTrack section.

In AC three rail systems, there is now polarity reversals to worry about.

Jon

Here is a version using MTH track..

MR_P posted:

Here is a version using MTH track..

What are the radius dimensions of the various curves and switches on this layout?

Nice layout work as always Ken.

Where to do get the trains from that are on the layout drawing?

I own Anyrail and havent seen this yet. Perhaps I dont know where to look? 

Thank you in advance for any info on this.

Hi Ken, 

I really am inspired by your layout. I am new to the hobby and feel that this layout provides the best amount of flexibility for multiple paths for the trains to travel throughout the expereince. There are two modifications I am thinking of incorporating and would really appreciate your help on implementing them. At the very top of the mainline I would like that area of track to be elevated as it is traveling on the right hand side I would like to incorporate a mountain where the trains wraps around the mountain on using outer curve.

Can you please educate me on what additional track pieces I would need to purchase? What grade should I strive to achieve and how? 

Also on your existing layout what is the length of the passenger cars? I noticed on average you have 8 cars. Would you recommend 18" passenger cars or 21"? 

Thank you for your time and all of your hard work you put into this amazing layout. 

Hi Ken,

I was wondering if this layout can be fitted to 5.5 ft x 9ft. That is all the room I have at the moment. I enjoy the multiple trains running at the same time.

Thank you

Really enjoy the creativity and good information in this thread.

One observation / question - I noticed that some of the plans have reverse loops such that once a train has reversed direction, it can't reverse back to its original direction.  Is this a deliberate operational choice, or is it due to space constraints?

Where does one get the animated graphic trains that are on the layout drawing?

Ken-Oscale posted:

Thanks Matt - cool layout.

So I was able to make both layout designs interchangable.   Here is the design with the two sections of track/switches to build either layout.

And the track that would be permanent/common to both layouts:

Ken, I was wondering if you have a breakdown of all the Fastrack Pieces for this layout.  I would greatly appreciate it as I am on a MAC and haven't been able to get anyrail loaded yet.

Thank you again for all your hard work.

Jay

@Ken-Oscale posted:

Here is a variation that looks more conventional.   By replacing the crossing with two sets of turnouts making a passing track in front of the station, an additional route is created:  the inside mainline can now do its own oval in addition to the return-loop-to-loop.

The twice around with two trains following each other is a bit more tricky because instead of through the crossing, the route runs through the cross-over turnouts:   the turnouts must be set to automatically select the right directions for the twice-around.   This can be done using the detection track segments (non-derail feature) of the Fastrack turnouts, so that in addition to the non-derail feature, other turnouts also switch directions appropriately.   This might need just two wires connecting track detection segments, which can be enabled/disabled with a double-pole single-throw switch - more analysis might be needed on this control idea - I have done something similar on a previous layout which worked fine.

In addition to that oval route for the inside main, there is room for two additional buildings in the center of the layout.

The layout still has the good features as before: O-48 outside route with easements, O-42 (compound O-48 and O-36 small sections) for the inside main, and the passing siding and route variations with the twice-around.   The width is now a full five feet, and the length is 12'1".   This variation uses the O-60 turnouts, not the O-72 variation above.   Cost to build goes up, with two additional turnouts.   Mainline turnout minimum is O-48.

Hi Ken I was wondering if you had this layout using fastrack and with a yard on the left. It’s a really good looking layout I think.

Hi Ken. I’m new to this forum. And I’m just getting back into my trains since I  moved. But I have been looking at the layout M412-03-4x12_036048_v8b and I was wondering if you have the anyrail file that you could share with me. I have most of the components to build  this layout.

Ken. Can you send me the parts list for the layout with the Atlas turntable. This is exactly what I have Been looking for. Thanks in advance.

Hello, Does anyone have the Anyrail file for this layout above, M412-03-4X12_O36O48_v10c ?

Thanks in advance for your time and help,

mitchell.ruck@gmail.com

Hi Mitchell. I may have it. I woukd  have to look . But I had sent Ken a note on some layout changes that he incorporated into the layout using the atlas turntable. But no response. I saw some other post where he wasn’t feeling well I hope he is ok cause his layout are awesome and he’s the expert. I’ll look tomorrow