New Layout Coming - Looking for Feedback

6 inches is a good minimum.    It depends a lot on what is underneath.    With a just a tunnel or track passing through, 6 inches is plenty, you could probably do a little less.  

If  you are going to have switches and stuff underneath - a staging yard or whole second level, you need at least 12 inches in my opinion.

prrjim,

Yes, there will be a staging yard, with multiple switches underneath. Thanks for validating my concern over the 6 inch minimum.

If it was me, I would be thinking about turning the inner loop into a single track with the reversing loop on both ends.  Four parallel tracks seems like too much.

I don't see any reversing loops, unless you put a double crossover on the O48 line. Trains will always go clockwise or counter clockwise.

Definitely upgrade the curves in the dogbone to an O72 minimum.  That way there'll be no restrictions on what you can run.  You haven't mentioned what track system you are planning on using.

Jan

@Long Hair posted:

If it was me, I would be thinking about turning the inner loop into a single track with the reversing loop on both ends.  Four parallel tracks seems like too much.

Long Hair,

There will only be a double track main, the loop will head down grade into the yard, then upgrade out of the yard. The yard will not be visible, so un the upper deck, I'll only have the two track main.

@John H posted:

I don't see any reversing loops, unless you put a double crossover on the O48 line. Trains will always go clockwise or counter clockwise.

John H,

There are two double crossovers, one on each end of the yard. They aren't shown in actual track, but there's a leader showing the location on my picture.

@Jan posted:

Definitely upgrade the curves in the dogbone to an O72 minimum.  That way there'll be no restrictions on what you can run.  You haven't mentioned what track system you are planning on using.

Jan

Jan,

I agree with you, and I believe I'll be upgrading to a O72 outer loop. I plan to use Lionel Fastrak.

The double crossovers you have suggested only allow trains to run in the same direction on alternating tracks.  E.g. Engine A will always be running clockwise (if it starts that way out of your yard) with only the ability to run on either main line through the crossovers.  To allow Engine A to run either clockwise or counter-clockwise, you have to include reversing loops (usually done where the dog-bone loops are formed).  However, then your inside loop becomes your "controlling" diameter for all locomotives, so I would recommend using O72 curves for your inside loop.

Chuck

This is a wonderful space. Just for the sake of dreaming, consider minimum O60 on the mains and eliminating most straight track in favor of long sweeping curves. This may mean Ross/Gargraves instead of FasTrack, but if that's too drastic then easements might be worth while. It may be that easement represent the "giant leap" to the most reliable running and most attractive curves.

Whether you have a single-track main anywhere as opposed to all double-track would depend, I think, on the nature of your railroading. If you already have a lot of equipment that suggests a short line, that single track might look more apprpriate. If you're running stuff that looks like it's going from Philly to Chicago, then all that parallel track will look right--but then the multiple levels might look funny.

It appears your operating philosophy is to have several trains ready to sequence out on the mains. If that is the case, then you might be able forego switches or crossovers far from the staging yard.

@PRR1950 posted:

The double crossovers you have suggested only allow trains to run in the same direction on alternating tracks.  E.g. Engine A will always be running clockwise (if it starts that way out of your yard) with only the ability to run on either main line through the crossovers.  To allow Engine A to run either clockwise or counter-clockwise, you have to include reversing loops (usually done where the dog-bone loops are formed).  However, then your inside loop becomes your "controlling" diameter for all locomotives, so I would recommend using O72 curves for your inside loop.

Chuck

Yeah, I'm picking up what you're putting down. Having a reversing loop would be beneficial, and yes, limited by the inner loop diameter. The other issue I'll then run into is the difference in elevation in my loops...the loops are on grades. I should be able to squeak in the reversing switch somewhere in a short enough distance that my grade will be minimally affected. I'll play around wit this.

If you are limited by the width of your shelves for the layout and really want a 4 track raceway,  consider placing platforms between the tracks and putting an over the tracks run through station. If you have a number of passenger trains,  the density of the tracks would make sense.  Run freights on an occasional basis, since you don't have a lot of room for sidings. Passenger operations can be fun, especially if you're more interested in a display layout,  with trains stopping at the station then going on to the loops and then down to the layover tracks to represent distant places. You can add a couple of spurs by the station for mail,  diner or  Pullman set outs.

Since you're using Fastrack I would really try to use O84 outer and O72 inner for the dog bones.  Lionel uses 12" increments in the curved track.  I would also try to use O84/O72 for all the parallel curves on the mainlines.  This results in a track spacing of 6".

Download a copy of Lionel's Track and Power catalog from a few years back.  On page 19 you'll see how to make a O72 crossover with a 6" spacing.

Jan