need help!!!

Gerald, in my opinion I would not use 036 switches.  Some how, some way try to design the track so you can use the widest radius switch possible your for turnouts.  In the long run you will see why. 

Steve, Lady and Tex

You might get away with the O60 switch, but I can tell you that the O36 switch will probably give many of the O72 minimum engines fits!  I tried to use O36 switches on a couple of sidings, no joy!  If you have an O48 loop, how are you planning on running the engines that require O72 curves?

Gerald....sounds like you have done a lot of planning and the layout is certainly going to be enjoyed!  I have to agree with Steve and John that if you can, use the widest radius you can as over time, you will most likely be happy that you did. 

Alan

"In the long run"??

No Pun Intended??

Tex is right on, use the widest radius curves and turn outs you can handle. The trains will thank you for making their life easier.

Hi John, I think he said he has an 0-72 loop

TexSpecial,i will have 2 loops on each level,they will all be independent of each other,i will put some combination of loops between 036,048,060 & 072,i haven't made that decision yet,i just would like to use as many of the 036 switches as i can.

  Gunnerjohn, believe it or not,i don't even have any engines that are bigger than 036 curves,after seeing what was in the new lionel catalog,convinced me to want to buy a couple of them,but right now ihave 4 separate loops all 036 ,so with the redo of my layout,i would have the larger loops needed for the bigger engines,i can probably use quite a few of the 036 switches if i used the first level for just 036 curves,but then i wouldn't be able to put another loop on that level,right now i am able to get 2 separate loops on each level,so far it doesn' look like i will be able to use the 036 switches on anything other than 036 loops,i may have to buy 048 switches for 048 loops,060 switches for 060 loops,etc. Just one more thing ,i can put an 072 loop on each level if i choose, but i haven't made any decision on what size loop i am going to put on any of the new levels as yet.

First of all Gerald, really take your time in designing a new track design.  Do not rush this step.  The questions you ask about are fairly major in how your trains will operate successfully on your trackage.

"I would like to use as many 036 switches as I can"..........Why?  With the new train releases try to use the max radius track and switches your layout can handle.  Trust me and others who have stated above, you won't regret it later.  Sidings and just as important to the trains you run as the main line loops.  Take your time, get more information if need be and be comfortable in what you want to do.

Steve, Lady and Tex

TexSpecial, If i don't use most of the 036 switches then what do ido with the ones i have left? i guess try to sell them,& if i can't sell them then i could be stuck with quite a few dollars worth of switches,but i agree with you & the others about going with the largest radius possible,& besides this will probably be my last layout that i build,the one i have now is my first,but i didn't have any plan at all when i built it,so if i go through with this project i hope to correct the mistakes i made with my first layout,besides at my age [71],time isn't on my side any more,so i want to really enjoy doing this.

Building layouts is kinda' like buying houses, you always strive to correct the mistakes you made the last time, but you always manage to make new mistakes.

As long as you can live with the new design, life is good.

One thing to keep in mind is that i can make the mainline on the first level,072 curves but i don't have to run any big engines on it,thus i can then use most of my 036 switches on this loop & run my 036 engines on it also on the other 2 levels i can put 1 loop of 060,& 1 loop of 072 on each level therefore allowing me to run bigger engines.

   Gunrunnerjohn,i'm sure i will manage to make a couple of mistakes i wouldn't feel right if i didn't we live & learn,thats the fun of this hobby,i will gives this a lot of thought & we will see where it leads to.

You can use O36 switches on the larger loops for thru traffic, and only use the out path for stuff that handles the 36" curves, that's not a problem.

Gerald,

Just a thought on my part. Why use switches. So much can be done with fully independent loops. You're not planning a massive switchyard or reverse loop. Just for giggles & grins, why not set up for as many full loops as you can. By the time you add your buildings and frills you'll hardly notice your track plan. Who knows you might have enough room for another loop. You will be amazed at how much room all those switches take up.

I run five loops. three O-Gauge & two elevated Std Gauge.  Good Luck! 

Happy Pappy,i wanted to use the switches for sidings to be able to park trains on the layout this way most of my engines are on the layout for everyone to see,& make it easier for me to rotate my trains,yours is a good idea,however my preference is to have as many trains on the layout as possible.

      Gunrunnerjohn, when you say use 036 switches for thru traffic,do you mean a passing siding?

No, I was talking about using the straight path through the switch on the mainline, and using the out path only for stuff that can handle it.  If you have mostly O36 locomotives, you could use them on a passing siding with the O36 switches.

gunrunnerjohn, Thanks for clarifying  that,i will give that a lot of thought i never would have thought about doing it that way,it's good to have   many options to choose from,i can see this track planning is going to take time there is a lot to take into consideration.