It does look exciting, and fun.

Do you plan to only run one train at a time? 

Concerns: The "S" turns can be troublesome. And have, IMO, an odd look when trains run through them with anything more than a creep. Also, I prefer to have 2 or 3 industrial sidings, especially on small layouts.  (But I should mention that I "operate" my trains and don't "run" them.)

TM Terry posted:

It does look exciting, and fun.

Do you plan to only run one train at a time? 

Concerns: The "S" turns can be troublesome. And have, IMO, an odd look when trains run through them with anything more than a creep. Also, I prefer to have 2 or 3 industrial sidings, especially on small layouts.  (But I should mention that I "operate" my trains and don't "run" them.)

I plan on running 2 lionchief engines, the price for switches are crazy, so I use 5 manual switches. What do you think about the "Scenery" on the track plan? Does it look bad?

An observation about automotive streets as compared to railroad lines. The streets are curved more  than railroad lines. 

Granted, with a small layout you are cursed with the requirement to have curve 360 degrees to accommodate continuous running. My suggestion is to add some curvature to your layout streets. Also, in a minute attempt to straighten the railroad line, make your outer loop with O48 curves (it won't help much.)

Do you have a scenery theme in mind? What industry? Or is it a city look, or rural?

My advise if you are starting from scratch is to avoid Fastrack.  It has poor electrical and physical connectivity and is very noisy.   Spend the few extra bucks now for good track and you won't have to replace it later.

Chris 

TM Terry posted:

An observation about automotive streets as compared to railroad lines. The streets are curved more  than railroad lines. 

Granted, with a small layout you are cursed with the requirement to have curve 360 degrees to accommodate continuous running. My suggestion is to add some curvature to your layout streets. Also, in a minute attempt to straighten the railroad line, make your outer loop with O48 curves (it won't help much.)

Do you have a scenery theme in mind? What industry? Or is it a city look, or rural?

My layout's purpose is to show action and fun while steam engines pull freight cars, My layout is located somewhere in Pennsylvania in the east. The season could be spring, Somewhere in the 1930s - 1940s, and in a rural area

The Theme:

Eastern Pennsylvania in Spring at the 1940s, Located in a rural area.

Chris makes a very valid point about the noise of FasTrack. I use FasTrack exclusively. The first thing I did on my plywood layout was cover it with a tight knit carpet, gluing it down. The sound deadening is adequate, but I operate my trains at slow speeds, mainly building trains, mu'ing diesels, backing into sidings, etc.

Thus far I have had no problems with FasTrack. I do hope it stays that way. The Command Control switches are the best thing since sliced bread. 

Your straight streets have a city appearance, as my imagination is taking me. 

Have you found some rural buildings that could be used on your layout? Maybe use small dirt roads and '40's pickup truck, farm tractor (if using a farm scene). For a rural village scene: small church, a couple small homes, diner, service station, general store, or any combination of those that space allows.

TM Terry posted:

Chris makes a very valid point about the noise of FasTrack. I use FasTrack exclusively. The first thing I did on my plywood layout was cover it with a tight knit carpet, gluing it down. The sound deadening is adequate, but I operate my trains at slow speeds, mainly building trains, mu'ing diesels, backing into sidings, etc.

Thus far I have had no problems with FasTrack. I do hope it stays that way. The Command Control switches are the best thing since sliced bread. 

The only problem I had with Fastrack is putting it together, I found a way to put fastrack pieces together easily so that solves that problem. Had no problem with connectivity and I sort of don't care of the noise. (Unless I'm running trains at night)

Nice plan, great for running 2 lionchief engines. My first layout had fastrack and I consider it great for beginning a layout.  I built a layout for a friend a few years back and he wanted simple loops. One was with fastrack and tubular for the other loop. As for noise it can be noisy however for the layout I built we covered the table with green outside carpet then set the track on top. That solved the noisy fastrack. Here are a few pics of it.  It has a mountain that is removable on one side and a town on the other.  

Found the total price of the layout,(Not including the track I have) it is $543! Very pricey

You could use Lionel O42 tubular,  very affordable.  Nick T

t8afao posted:

You could use Lionel O42 tubular,  very affordable.  Nick T

Ok, thanks!