New Layout

dude, down load a program like SCARM and design one. i already suggested to you thor trains

@Badhorse- You seem big at telling people to use that software package.  Not everyone uses an electronic device or PC that is able to run it.  And it shouldn't be the answer to every layout inquiry.

If you want one train to run both you'd do a folded figure 8 using a 90 or 45 degree crossover, but at O36 I'm not sure it'd fit in the 48" requirement.  I just tried doing a quick test with the 45 degree crossing and I'm looking at about 50" for the narrow side.  Lionel has released O31 in FasTrack I believe, it should allow for it.

Below is a very basic, unfinished version, but it should give you an idea.

Here's the best I could come up with to fit 4x8. It doesn't show it in the photo, but I think it's too tight, even if you modify the track bed for the tracks at the top. These are all 36" curves, I didn't try others for the outside track.

Like this?

about 48" x 64".  Inside loop is O31, outside is O36

Ed

No, it's not the radius that's too tight. The top of the circle is awfully close to the tracks at the top of the layout. It doesn't show in the bmp file that the jpg was converted from, but in RR-Track, they appear to actually be touching and the roadbed may need to be trimmed a bit. Also, the tracks are right at the edge of the layout on the top and bottom and that could be a bit unsafe.

Personally, if this is just a Christmas layout for the kids, I'd probably build it, but I have no idea what you plan to use for benchwork, etc. If you use a sheet of plywood on a 1x3 or 1x4 frame, make sure you don't "pinch" it to make it fit. If you do make a frame (maybe 1x3), you could then add a second frame (maybe 1x4) around the perimeter even with the top of the plywood. That would add just enough to the width to give the tracks that much extra space and maybe you'd be able to "cheat" enough on the straight part so as not to have to trim the roadbed. If it's for kids, you could then add a thin hardwood or Plexiglas edge around the whole thing to keep the trains from accidently falling off.

I should mention too that I saved the layout, so if you need a track list, I can get it for you.

So this is the layout that I think I might go with I used multiple curve size with the smallest being O31.  I am curious as to what you all think and if there are any improvements that I should make.

I would suggest a 22.5 crossover with 31 inside curves. it could add some length to the inside loop

Bill

I agree. I tried to use a 22.5 crossover, but RR-Track v5.1 refuses to join any track to it (obviously a program error), so I had to go with a 45. I also stayed with 36 because that was a requirement, but then I see 31's were used in the latest design. I think the 22.5 would let you create more of an inside oval instead of a circle.

Turns out it was not a v5.1 error, it was my inexperience with filler pieces. I added the 1200 filler pieces to all for ends and came up with the attached. It's still all 36 except for a single 31 the 2nd curve to the right of the crossover on the inside right. Using 31's would allow some more variation.

I think this fits  on a 4x8.. Contributor "ACE" has opened my eyes to easements ..This has 36 into 48s on the outside loop and 36 on the inside.

Bill

That's a much better layout Bill. I apologize for now taking the time to mess with different combinations of track last night after I finally figured out how to use the 22.5 crossover. We're getting ready for a trip, so I was busy converting DVDs to play on my tablet. However, I wanted to show a larger oval vs the circle, though my oval still may not hold the full Polar Express train. Just for kicks, it looks like another crossover would fit on the bottom tracks to give 2 large ovals and allow 2 longer trains to run with a little finesse at the controls.

This little exercise has shown me one big advantage to using Lionel FasTrack over MTH RealTrax, the availability of more pieces, like the 22.5 crossover. I've got too much invested in RealTrax now, so I'll continue to use it for my Christmas layout, but if that weren't the case, I'd definitely switch for that reason alone. I still might look at prices before I invest more for this year's layout, I could always sell my RealTrax and get something for it.