New to O gauge - need some advice

I considered doing this when we added a sunroom last winter but decided that my 3 year old grandson would enjoy them more if he could see them better. Anyway, here are a few sites that may give you some ideas:

http://pages.areaguides.com/ub.../ModelTrainIdeas.htm

http://www.trainshelving.com/index.html

Rob,

There's a number of guys here that have around the ceiling "layouts", search in the "Track Plans and Layout Design" section or in the "Photo Albums" section.

I would think you'd want bullet-proof track.  All the big guys (Atlas, MTH, Lionel, Gargraves, Ross Custom Switches) make nice track.  IMO, Ross makes the best switches, but if you aren't going to use any then...

Do you want track with roadbed already on it or do you plan on laying the track on roadbed at all?  I used strips from a anti-fatigue mat I bought on a roll at Lowes a few years back, makes things nice and quiet (if you add ballast it makes the noise louder).

"New to O gauge"?

Save yourself! Run! Run like the wind! 

I built one for "S" trains. All I can say is, "It seemed like a good idea at the time". A few stiff necks later, I took it down.

I tried it and did not like it at all, unless you can put it at eye level it losses a lot to me. Unless you are 7'11" it is ok. I took it down. a lot of work for not, but what the hay, try to find someone that has one you can see first, you may like it.

John

I wouldn't build one as my only layout, but already having a layout I can see having an around the room ceiling track where I could run a long passenger train just for a conversation piece.

Although I don't know how a corner would look if I ran something larger than 072.  It would have practically no scenery and the track would have to be close enough to the edge of the roadbed so I could see as much of the train detail as possible.

I ran out of table space so I built a layout around the top of the room.

Used 027 track with mainly 27 inch curves, some half curves in 027 also, ran 16 gauge wires along the backside for add-on power sections every fourth section of track and used 12 gauge wire from the splice point to my post-war Z 250 transformer. I used # 4 phillips head wood screws to secure the track to the wood shelf I used, and used 4 inch by 6 inch shelf supports from Home Depot. I painted the wood and shelf supports white to blend in with the wall I painted.

One problem was the engines at the curves would scrape the wall, so I had to move the track out a little from the wall at the curves. The other problem was mounting the wood to the shelf brackets, had to get my wife to help me.

Lee F.

I'd say go for a minimum of 6.5" just to be safe.  I believe my Lionel scale GG1 electric locomotive has a 6" requirement to clear the pantographs.