Mark's 4x11 w/Atlas Track

Here is a 3D look at your proposed layout. It is pretty crowded and your forested area will cover a couple of turnouts. Additionally, there would be no way to place a turnout into the forest without making it an oval, which would cover more of your layout.

Yikes....very crowded.  Thanks for doing that as it really helps.  I'm just not that familier at SCARM yet beyound a circle or two.  No doubt I can take some sidings out as I want room for some buildings.

Mark

Looking good.

Amazing what you can pack into a small space! Sometimes I find the small layouts more interesting than the large ones just because you have to address so many more compromises. Can't wait to see it when it's done.

Looking good, Mark.  You made some progress in just a couple weeks.

It's challenge for sure.  I've come up with what looks god by just tweaking things each night.  I like the combining of 036, 027, 045, etc., to come up with what looks good.  I'm actually surprised that I was able to get things as they are.  Comprise though is distance between some track is not scale and a close call.  Doesn't matter to much as those areas are brach line situations where things are moving very slow.

Mark

 How things looked about 45 days ago.  1 of 3 tables on wheels.  The whole things moves easily on industrial carpet which eliminates the need to make an access whole in the middle.

Originally Posted by Mark B:

Mark,

I applaud your progress, but I think it's time to take a break to do some more planning. For instance, you will have two reverse loops, but both reverse to the same direction (I'll give my thought on how to correct this in a bit) and other various decisions that will lead to some headaches.

If you could, the first thing I'd like you to do is to draw out the track plan as it is now and label each track piece. I want to draw up your track plan in SCARM, so I need to know where you used the O45, O36, O27 curves, what track piece is used between the end curve and the turnout off of the mainline, and where you positioned the turnout on the far end of the layout to begin the grade up to the second level.

I want to draw your attention to the grade running up to the loop. Where do you plan to have the loop connect back to itself? I have depicted two options, both of which will limit or remove the sidings you have temporarily set due to the height of the grade at those points. If you were to move the loop connection closer to the top of the grade to make clearance for the sidings, you run the risk of a tight S turn.

In the lower right corner of the picture, you have a piece of unconnected track. Will this be connected back to the mainline? If so, this will create a reverse loop. This is good as it will give you the chance to turn your train. However, as I stated before, this would give you two reverse loops (the second being the reverse loop on the second level) that both go in the same direction. Consider moving either loop in the opposite direction. For example, move the grade from the left side of the layout to the right side. Now your trains can run through one reverse loop to change directions, then enter the second reverse loop change back to its original direction.

Another couple of recommendations for you would be to move the grade to the outside of the mainline, and reposition the turnout to lessen the incline angle. Moving the grade outside of the mainline will open up more space on the inner portion of the layout (first picture.) You will also be able to see more of the train running on the mainline, where it would be hidden in your current track plan. The latter recommendation is for more convenience to access the turnout and to reduce the incline angle (second picture.)

I drew up a quick track plan to show you some changes to think about. This is not a final plan. I flipped the inside track to create a reverse loop in the opposite direction of the upper loop. The sidings are now visible. I used O27 curved sections in the upper loop to reduce the footprint, but it still has long enough straight sections to service a facility.

Stewart, thanks for the excellent feedback and detail.  I'll snap a picture tonight to show you what is up.  (I just posted 3 shots for your review)....Per your notes, here is what I've planned:

1)  045 MAINLINE: There is another loop-mainline that will circle the table.  It fits.  Plan is to use 045 on those ends.  current loop is a combo of 027/036 at far end and 036 at near end.

2)  SWITCH LINKING MAINLINES: Hopefully, I can link the two lines with a switch or two.  Using Atlas, if it is tight, I can install the switch motor under the table as is or use Tortoise. The distance between each line won't be exactly scale...it will be tight BUT ok enough for cars to not bump into each other.  With TMMC things should operate a little safer with use of the cool 'slow' speed increments.

3) INCLINE RUN:  At present, and I'll send you a picture, I've elevated the far end loop about 1" using insulation R board.  It works well as it has given me a jump on the rise, thus lowering the angle so it looks almost natural.  Your loop idea is close to my idea; I was thinking of having i cover the width of the near end.  Since the table is 11'7.25", the loop will have the switch or wye at about 8'.  that give me enough room for a nice 'flat' oval where I could put a Lionel Sawmill?  I really like your tunnel ideas and will incorporate them along with some bridge(small) work.

Mark,

My apologies, I created the track plan at work and have been off for the past couple of days. I'll post it some time later this evening.

Mark,

Attached is the SCARM file. To correctly save it to use in SCARM, right click on the file and select Save Target As...

If the SCARM file shouls save as a .txt file, rename the file with the .scarm extension.

Update:  Been busy on the layout.  Done quite a bit of ballast work on the end of the layout, where one branch line will proceed up to a small mountain at other end of table where there will be a Sawmill.  Believe it or not it all fits!

Mark, when you get a chance, post the updated layout plan. I'd like to see the changes you've made (I noticed a crossing under the elevated area.) I like your designed tear drop on the upper level. For some reason I thought you were running larger equipment, but the traditional stuff will be fine.

 Stewart, thanks for response.  I took your advice on developing a reversing curve of sorts.  Will map out on SCARM this weekend.  Attached are 2 shots of how I made it work.  I picked up to Crossover's and put them in the mainline track in-front of station.  That allowed me to snake over to top of line under 'tear drop' area to reverse the train.  There are actually 2 reversing lines that come off this area...the main one being the above.  Was surprised that I got it to work!  Using various sizes of the 1 3/4" size strait connectors it fits w/out cutting track!

Here is one with ARROWS.....