Need advice on building an elevated loop on my layout.

Well, not sure what's the "best" way to do it, but I faced a similar situation when I decided to add an elevated loop of track to my already built 8 X 8 layout. All of my other track was O-27, so I extended that to the el loop, and supported it on eighth-inch thick hardboard over supports made of dowels and strips of wood. I fabricated extra wooden 'ties' to fit in between the OEM metal ones, and added splines of hardboard underneath the spans, to add some additional rigidity, and fabricated some fences along the curves to inhibit any mishaps! Here's a few pics:

And here's the el in operation:

Thank you Steve.  Like your layout.

Hi Papa Dave,

My postwar layout has an upper loop and I used Lionel trestles to support the O gauge track at each joint. On top of the trestles are 1X4 boards that give a little more stability to the track. I also needed 1X4s on the trestle bases to increase the height for clearance. I used small screws to fasten the track through the ties into the 1X4s. The 1X4s are fastened to the trestles with small machine screws and finally the trestle bases are screwed to the plywood base. You can see that I used twin trestles at some points to span the track below. This system has worked out to be quite stable.

Here is a link to a video of the layout which might be useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...jANYXPBFw&t=103s

Good luck with your project!    TJ

I would suggest first doing some online research for what you are trying to capture. Then you strategize how to do it.

Is this a transit subway overhead or one that would be used for full blown trains?

There is forum sponsor Clouse Model Rails that has some excellent products for an overhead line.

https://clouse-model-rails.square.site/

As an example, I modeled the Chicago El as it would appear in neighborhoods. Not what you would see downtown. It’s not perfect by any means but more “in the spirit” of what exists.

Also don’t be afraid to add in things like concrete piers to support the track in areas where the layout below is crowded already. They did just that in real life.

ChiTown Steve - I am picturing a small engine pulling ore cars, or logging cars, on the upper level.  It was interesting that you mentioned the El.  In 1957, when I was 10 years old, my mom and I rode the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago for a visit.  While we were there, my aunt took me on the El.  I have some good memories of that trip.

Attached are a few pics of a short, elevated section I made to span my work table.

I used 1 X 1's to make a three-piece pier for supports.

I was using Fastrack and also used 1/8 " hardboard under the Fastrack for additional support. If you're planning on running any significant weight engines and rolling stock on it, I wouldn't trust the track, itself, to be of sufficient strength to support them.

I also used self-adhesive, automotive sound deadening material between the track and hardwood board.

You also need to consider how you're going to supply power and drops to the elevated loop.

Thank you Richie C.

@Papa Dave posted:

Thank you Steve.  Like your layout.

Thanks, Papa Dave!

As others have said (and illustrated!), the choice of construction style and materials is largely dependent on the type of el you have in mind. Obviously, my el is light duty (I only run trolleys on it), so I used the lightest construction I could figure out, which made it easier to squeeze it in amongst the previous construction. In places I had to modify the placement of support dowels and the length of cross pieces to accommodate space and clearance available on the layout below. I also used a thin aluminum tube to protect the track power wires running from the layout up to the el.

Again, good luck with your project!

Both Lionel classic and Fastrack trestle systems will support their respective track without any further support.  Depending on your vision and needs, you've seen in the above posts the approaches others have taken.  The 1950's version of the classic trestle came with screw down clamps for both O and O27 track.  I'm not sure what Lionel currently provides with the modern version.

Jan

Jan,

I’m afraid I will have to build custom supports to clear the tracks below.   The Lionel trestles won’t work for me.  A couple folks have mentioned using 1/8” hardboard under the track, which sounds interesting.  I am getting some new ideas.

@Papa Dave posted:

In 1957, when I was 10 years old, my mom and I rode the Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago for a visit.  While we were there, my aunt took me on the El.  I have some good memories of that trip.

@Papa Dave

Family memories like that are really great. Kudos to your Aunt for taking the time for you.

@Papa Dave posted:

Jan,

I’m afraid I will have to build custom supports to clear the tracks below.   The Lionel trestles won’t work for me.  A couple folks have mentioned using 1/8” hardboard under the track, which sounds interesting.  I am getting some new ideas.

This is what I ended up doing, and for the same reason: I needed to clear the tracks on the main level.

I built my elevated line using wood dowels, scrap 1x4 boards left from a previous home project, and 1/2" plywood decking.  Using my table saw, I cut beveled edges on the bases, and I used my drill press to drill the holes in the bases and the horizontal supports. The pieces were glued together with Tite Bond wood glue and then screwed to the table surface.

To ensure the vertical supports were as straight as possible, I made my own miniature version of a post leveler using 2 small levels glued to a short piece of wooden corner moulding. This came in very handy when it came time to install everything.

For the railings, I'm using this outstanding product made by Clouse Model Rails:

Home | Clouse Model Rails

These rails add structural strength to the decking as well as improving the appearance. I highly recommend this product.

It isn't done yet, but here's what it looks like.

BlueComet400 - Cool…Thank you!

Really nice!  You have given me some ideas. How about a PIX of the Hells Gate Bridge!

I supported Ross track on 3/8" plywood bed with Girder edging..  The primary track bed supports are Lionel 450 signal bridges.  I also used other structures which the EL passes over as support.  I also have an eased grade connecting the two levels.   The grade is obsene 9" in 12' but it works.    I built custom "T" supports for the eased grade.  The city scene is supported on PVC pipes through which wiring passes.   There are passenger platforms with track below below GCT

@BlueComet400 posted:

These rails add structural strength to the decking as well as improving the appearance. I highly recommend this product.

This is what I ended up doing, and for the same reason: I needed to clear the tracks on the main level.

For the railings, I'm using this outstanding product made by Clouse Model Rails:

Home | Clouse Model Rails

Nice work, BC! It looks something like my effort, if it ever grew up!

I like the railings you used (better IMHO than my homebrew efforts!), and in addition to looking nice, I think they would provide some additional rigidity without having to glue splines under the roadbed.