Final Update 1/13/18 Thx everyone for your help–need more than a "little" help with Scarm on xmas layout

So I figured some of the stuff out, but can anyone review and check my work?  Help a brother out?  Here's the progress so far on a fastrak and O27 run.  Thanks for any critique or advice.  Ted

Hi Ted, no plan is boring, especially with two trains.

I did the following; I added 2 O-27 switches, make sure to get the non-derailing versions. This way you can leave it unattended and on the turn the O-27 train will run opposing the FasTrack train (which I think looks cool). It does require 2 custom cut pieces (highlighted in green). But O-27 is the easiest to cut ever.

For the FasTrack I added a passing siding that is long enough for a starter set. So you could have a train waiting on the siding, pointing in the opposite way of the other and have quite a bit of variety. There is an error in SCARM for FasTrack with the O-31 switches, so you must have the 1 3/8 piece always connected to the O-31 switches until it is corrected in SCARM (highlighted in yellow).

I also added your 16 inch square in the middle. Let me know what you think or if you have questions.

See, this is what I'm talkin about.  Someone with some skilllz to show me the path.  This is great!!    And, uses about every bit of space available. There's two small sections next switches, I presume those are the 1 3/8 pieces required. On the ipad now so hope I can go to laptop, download and open the change to get some details. Thanks so much for the help, Mike. I truly appreciate it. Ted

Your welcome!

You wont need to buy the 1 3/8 pieces, they are already built into the switch. Lionel confused everyone (including their own printing department) and originally listed the O-31 at 10 inches straight, but it is really 11 3/8 straight. So in SCARM we have to add the piece for now, but it will get updated soon. The spacing is tight but as long as you center it up when building you'll have a little more than 4 inches (center to center) in those O-27 curves so nothing should bump.

Have fun.

Got some new O27 track in for initial/test fit. Need to get the bench work started. Am seriously considering foam board, understanding those who feel safety might be an issue. If I go that route is minimum 2" thick required. With no underlay?  Think square honeycomb 1"x6" to lay foam on. Want it high cause of dog.  More fastrak is due in a day or so. And some woodland scenic buildings by next week. Been studying the videos on snow scenes. Would like to make a 2 enter and 3 exit tunnel in upper right corner. To much?  TW

Doing some track test fit. The tolerances are pretty close, but make it. Got some help with the 242 scout through the switches but works pretty well right now.  Got the base built and foam board. Will start scenery next. My cow town is really low on supplies. Have to order darn near everything direct.  Any suggestions are always welcome.  TW

Looks great! Wow that will be high off the floor. I didn't realize what you meant by honeycomb until I saw the picture. Will you cut that into modules as well? If you do make sure to add some 90 degree angle brackets in the corners to hold it's strength. Is the tree going to sit on top of all of this? I hope your ceiling is high!

Yeah, need it high for the dog.  Any lower n she just lumbers up or through the layout. (Oh dee doe duh whut?). Shes too much. She likes to look out the bay window. Tore up three cars last xmas when layout was on floor.  7' tree will fit easy, the base will only be used for this layout.  The boards are all slotted so they just drop into each other on the floor.  Takes about 45 sec to set up.  Thinking I will stain and finish a 1x8 as a faus front and short sides to dress up the look.  Later TW

TW,

that looks nice! Don't underestimate that it can be a very nice display. Take a look at Garret76's layout from this past Christmas.

I might have passed on the passing siding in the window area. You could put some 1 3/8" on both ends and create a block to kill power and park a third train.

Again, nice project.

Carl, yup, I follow his thread. Packed a bunch of stuff into a small space. I see your point about the passing siding and agree, it could be used for another train. If I had another one.   I have a couple Menard's cars I'll park there.  Have a lot of plans and time. But my first venture, so there will be lots of mistakes I'm sure. I'll take any advice given. Ted

I just wanted to update this thread with the final version of this layout plan.  Also to thank ATOZ LEWIS and MOONMAN for giving me a neat, concise and fun layout plan from which to work. Thx Mike n Carl.

very nice result, Ted!

I like the tunnel crew...actually I enjoy all of the detail that you put into this layout.

Is the passing siding live or did you employ a power cutoff?

Thanks for the posting the photos!

Moonman posted:

very nice result, Ted!

I like the tunnel crew...actually I enjoy all of the detail that you put into this layout.

Is the passing siding live or did you employ a power cutoff?

Thanks for the posting the photos!

It’s live Carl.  I use it for a static display of passenger cars with converted lighting to led in front of the little station platform.  I don’t think using it this way I will run into trouble, at least not yet anyway.  I developed a dodgy switch on the left and with the ballasting too much trouble to figure out why.  Shorts out for some reason when a roller goes through on the turnout.  Should have listened to you...  

Thanks for the call out, you really took the scenery to another level. I'd enjoy seeing a picture when the tree gets added too!

I'll have to re-read, but wasn't another objective to divide this into two pieces for relocation? Did that work? Maybe that was another plan.

AtoZ Lewis posted:

Thanks for the call out, you really took the scenery to another level. I'd enjoy seeing a picture when the tree gets added too!

I'll have to re-read, but wasn't another objective to divide this into two pieces for relocation? Did that work? Maybe that was another plan.

You are right, two pieces.  But decided against it because I didn’t like the separation idea I came up with, and, joining them back together was cumbersome at best. I’ll have help getting it out of the basement to the family room.  Will work out just fine.  Thx again for the track plan.  Ted

Here’s a short video of the trains running.

Put a bow on it.  It’s over for Xmas 2017.  Here’s the final look.  Thanks everybody for your help, I truly appreciate it.  BTW, I didn’t put it there, but I Just noticed today the layout info and pics are on the SCARM site. scarm.info/layouts/track_plans  Not sure how that happens.  TW

Hey Ted- It's been a lot of fun watching your layout come to life. Pack it away carefully and I can't wait to see it again next Christmas. The mural that your friend did for the front was the perfect finish too!

Bob

Thanks Ted. Part of what got me started in this hobby is I didn't pack away my Christmas layout a few years ago.

  As a kid I fought tooth and nail to keep mine up as long as possible. I made it till June a few times   I have a small but permanent Christmas table now, 365 days worth of one of my favorite sights

....but it's not nearly as pretty as this one turned out.  

Wow. That's a great looking Christmas layout!