This is the track plan for my first O Gauge layout of about 16 years ago. I had previously done layouts in HO and N, so I wanted to take advantage of the unique features that O gauge has to offer. This layout has return loops, easier to do without electronics to switch the polarity of voltage. I wanted a figure-8 with a crossing, and decided to connect the -8 loops for an oval. I added a siding for two trains to operate, and the mountain branch line climbing at 4% for most of the grade to 5.5" in elevation at the first bridge. There is a short one foot easement starting the grade at the turnout at 2%, and a grade of 1.5% from the 1st bridge to the second over the crossing at 6" in elevation. The main layout is Fastrack, and the elevated trestle and mountain loop is Atlas-O, for contrast and a sense of a change in location. I planned for turnouts wider than the minimum diameter.
The minimum diameter is O-36, with much O-48 and wider for easements. The Atlas-O is O-45 and O-36 with an O-45 turnout. Fastrack turnouts are O-48 and O-60.
I used O-gauge isolated-rail sections for train detection, and tapped into the Fastrack non-derail sensing on the remote turnouts to automate a pair of switches. With a couple of relays, and these control signals, I was able to automate the layout with two trains, passing each other at the siding.
For power I used two CW-80 transformers. I used the accessory voltage which can be set as needed, I had three power levels: low, mid, and high. When a train was climbing the grade, it had high power connected, when descending the grade, the low power setting. The rest of the layout was at the mid-power level, except for a short section to slow or accelerate a train out of the upper siding at the low power level. Perhaps you can make out the signal for the upper siding, at the upper left.
I only roughed-in the scenery, but got the automated train control working with two matched locos (I used RMT Beeps). that was fun to watch! The actual buildings on the layout are different from those shown - Menard's wasn't yet making the O gauge buildings at that time.
- probably very true!
