Need help on 8x8 fastrack layout

Check out Thors trains website.

 

Richie

Hi,

Is this ok to start?

 

The center is about 3.5" from the edge of the table all the way around. This is the largest 072 oval that I could fit.

 

Thanks for the replies. Could o84 fit?

yes, that is a 7' radius.

Why? you would have no straight at all and need to buy twice as many pieces of track.

7' diameter or radius??

I think I will stick with 072 I would like to have 3 main line tracks with a railyard. Could all 3 main line tracks be connected with switches?

Thanks so much

Just remember if your going to do a yard and you want to run large locos. The switches must match also. 072 switches is all i run or larger and nothing less than 072 curve. I can run any loco anywhere on my layout but i understand size constraints. I put mine elevated 86" off floor. Twin lines running 82 outside and 72 inside fastrack. Runs great and i have over 350' no issues.

Instead of a racetrack, what do you think of something like this? A twice around 072 with an 060 loop in the center.

FasTrack is measured(marked, referenced) by diameter of the center rail.

Some comments:

Most tables are rectangular. Track geometry of most mfgs. fits better.

 

Smaller radius is typically used on a short 8' wide table to allow more variation or action.

 

Here is a photo of a well liked Lionel Dealer display layout on an 8' x 8' using 036 Super-O track that has 9" straights instead of 10". That should give you some idea of how to use an 8' x 8'.

 

You can do multiple loops equally spaced, if that is what you really want. Even if they are interconnected, you'll get bored with it in short order. That's ok, if you just want to run some trains and learn the wiring and control.

 

Put some lines on paper of what you see as your track plan. make a square and draw the lines. take a photo and post it. It will save a lot of back & forth or fishing.

Here's one from Thor trains offerings. Looks like the 8' x 8' starter that I posted.

 

A yard isn't going to be huge with more than lots of loops.

A grade and elevation would open possibilities up.

Does this need to be flat? Are you prepared for the challenge of grades?

You want to run three trains how?

All looping at once?

Two looping, one busy switching.

One looping, one idle, one & switching maybe to the idle one?

What is the minimum curve for your cars & loco's

Sharing mainlines between loops=one loop at a time unless you go to block, or a command control. (what controls are you using)

 

Using SCARM? While the deep stuff may take a bit to figure out, (like knowing when an right click option will be active or not) The basics aren't too hard. Walk then run.

Anyrail5 free trial, 50peices at a time, may still be available if you have that hard a time. Its pretty intuitive. But sharing, and help will be more limited due to lower usage here.

 

Posts just get missed sometimes. Timing can be everything. 

 

3 loops, crossovers, yard

 

Moonman I love the layout you drawed for me. The minimum curve my train can use is 036. I have a c420 legacy and I want to be able to buy bigger engines so I would like the track to be at least 060. I have a a 4x8 layout for my post war layout and I have another 4x8 layout with my legacy. I am getting bored running the engine in such a small area. I am fine with working with grades. I am using lionel legacy control system to Run my layout .

Thanks for all the help

No problem, Trainman15. Which one did you like? I liked the twice around 072. There can be another loop or yard inside of the 060 on that plan. Just can't interconnect to the outside.

 

Shoot me an email (in my profile) and I'll send you the SCARM file for the one that you like. Then you can see the track plan and hover the cursor over the track to identify the small pieces.

 

I don't know what else to do with a square.