New Layout vintage O27

Looks like a fun layout. Will you be able to walk around the entire perimeter?  If not, I could see a reach problem from the control panel area to the left side of your diagrams.

Thanks. Yeah, the left side will be a bit of a reach.

@El Tejon posted:

Thanks. Yeah, the left side will be a bit of a reach.

And you've got switches back there which are notorious for derailments.

Good point!

Thanks to your comments I've changed a few things. Narrowed the left side to 48" which is within my reach and moved the bench away from the garage door 10" which I can squeeze into if needed (I'M skinny) to get to the possible problem spots...

Rick

Great start on a 027 layout.  A couple comments from a 027 layout builder/owner.  Great to hear from a new 027 modeler as we are welcome and in the minority here on OGR.

You might consider some way to reverse your trains, like a reverse loop or a Wye which may be easier working with what you have.

Take a look at Marx 1590, 027 switches which are very reliable, repairable, inexpensive, compact with small foot print and low profile.  They also do not have light bulbs on the controller (which can be a couple of mini push button switches) or on the switch it self, all which eat power.  Run them off a 12 to 15 volt AC cheap 40 watt transformer.

Take a look at the OGR write up on my 027, 44 year old layout with Marx 31 switches, Wye, 4 reverse loops, $10 homemade turntable, track diagram control panels, 3 LWs transformers and 5 train operation with blocked and relayed loops.  It shows how to make all this and much more.  Index on post 1.  I tried to explain how and why I did what I chose, bought or built the way I did.

https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Charlie

Looks like you used some software to draw up your plan; if you attach a copy of the plan file, some of us can actually draw and post our suggestions for you.  For example, it looks like some of your track is too close together right in front of your control center.  If so, your engines and other equipment may be unintentionally damaged.

Also, since this is O27, you can "test" before building by laying the track out on the floor and running some trains very slowly.

Chuck

Thanks for the reply and the offer. Attached is the file from AnyRail6. After a lot of reading last night, I'm considering making it a little more of a point-to-point.  Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Rick

PPR1950 has some good suggestions.  My closes tracks are 6 inches center rail to center rail, which is what you get with a Marx 027 switch and 027 curve sections of track.  Laying out your plan on the floor is also good idea.

A combination of loops and point to point is also desirable.  Loops allow continuous operation without constant attention.  All loops get boring fast but are great for just enjoying the layout operating.  Most display and showroom layouts are just loops and do not even have switches.  Point to Point allows lots of switching and coupling and making up trains and adding or dropping cars.  PTP requires constant operator action and attention and can get tiresome after awhile.  Operation accessories are also desirable to add to the fun.  Most of have found out visiting younger kids love to operate the milk car and platform time after time and is the only thing visiting children can run without constantly have derailments and wrecks except for simple dumping cars into the trays.  Older kids can operate the gantry crane, cattle car and Ice Station, saw mill and AF oil drum loader.

Charlie

OK, now that you are thinking about "operations," you need to consider what type of railroad you wish to model.  In smaller spaces, a useful idea is to model a "smaller" railroad that interchanges with a Class 1 (read "larger") railroad.  Whether that smaller railroad serves a port, a smaller town with several industries, or just several large industries (mining, logging, steel mill, etc.) along the way to its end, your objective is to move cars from along your branch line route back & forth to the interchange.  Heck, your interchange could just be part of a larger oval with a few storage tracks that would allow different Class 1 trains to appear at the interchange on a schedule.  And, even if you want to run some passenger trains, you can drop off a few cars at the interchange destined to go to the (resort) town at the end of your branch and vice versa.

Now, you have your oval(s) and a point-to-point operation.  I would suggest you keep your oval(s) with interchange to the outside edge and run your point-to-point (interchange to other end yard) on the inside.  You might also consider an access hatch in that back left corner.

Chuck

Thanks again for all of your input. Here is a variation on the theme. Continuous loop/loops with point to point.
Rick

Not only is it loops, but you now have 2 well-disguised reversing loops, one for each direction.  One question, do you have that 10 inches on all sides of your plan?  If not, it would be very wise to build the benchwork on casters or some other type of roller.

Chuck

@PRR1950 posted:

Not only is it loops, but you now have 2 well-disguised reversing loops, one for each direction.  One question, do you have that 10 inches on all sides of your plan?  If not, it would be very wise to build the benchwork on casters or some other type of roller.

Chuck

Thanks for the reply. I don't think I can get the 10" gap on the sides, but I have a 42" reach and with the rear gap I can reach anywhere on the track, in theory...

Rick

What good does your 10 inches do at the back if you can't reach it easily?   And, you have several spots on the layout that even a 42" reach will not make it.  Want to guess where all your derailments, accidental uncouplings, and other problems will occur?  As it stands now, you are just daring Murphy's law to bite you.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your build.

Chuck

@El Tejon posted:

Thanks to your comments I've changed a few things. Narrowed the left side to 48" which is within my reach and moved the bench away from the garage door 10" which I can squeeze into if needed (I'M skinny) to get to the possible problem spots...

Good idea, I did the same thing.

@PRR1950 posted:

What good does your 10 inches do at the back if you can't reach it easily?   And, you have several spots on the layout that even a 42" reach will not make it.  Want to guess where all your derailments, accidental uncouplings, and other problems will occur?  As it stands now, you are just daring Murphy's law to bite you.

Whatever you decide, enjoy your build.

Chuck

Took your suggestion. Made the table a little smaller so I can walk around the whole thing. It's so tempting try and cram as much as you can into your space without thinking of the end result...

@El Tejon posted:

Took your suggestion. Made the table a little smaller so I can walk around the whole thing. It's so tempting try and cram as much as you can into your space without thinking of the end result...

Can you post the updated drawing? We'd love to see the changes.

@raising4daughters posted:

Can you post the updated drawing? We'd love to see the changes.

I've been seeing a growing interest in layouts using O27 height track, either with traditional O27 curves or, like Warrenville, with O42, O54 and O72 curves (O27 height).

I wonder if any manufacturer will step up and make O27 height track again?

Menards - are you listening?