Newbie needs a little help

Take the time to learn the program.  It will be much more rewarding to design it based on his but change it as you go and make it yours! 

Are you trying to copy it from the videos? Or did he give you a drawing and you just need to get it into SCARM?

He said there is a drawing in one of his videos, but I haven't found it yet. I have a few plans done in SCARM but cant seem to get the tracks to match exactly up.

I see what you mean. Chances are he custom cut tracks to fit and I can help you with do that in SCARM if you want. Are you using the trial version that's limited to 100 objects?

Unfortunately yes, I upgraded not knowing that it turned to a pay service. I would appreciate any help!!! Also, what is a good height between layers?

You had no choice, AFAIK the old version wouldn't have run. I'll see what I can do tomorrow, but I believe you'll have to be willing to cut track to make this design work.

Not a problem, and again, thank you for any help you can provide.

I did a little work on it.  The spaces in this are so small it should go together with no issue.

That is excellent!!! Thanks so much! I've modeled Marklin C-track for the past decade, which fit in a very standard pattern. Making it very easy to design layouts and fill track gaps. BWT, what is an acceptable grade perrcent for O-scale? Also, what height should the second level be over the first for proper clearance?

That is a very nice layout, one of my all-time favorites. I watched his videos as he was building it. I really liked the turn-around loop below, but that's a bit low for me these days. I liked many other things about JD's layout as well. It's a really cool layout! I don't remember ever seeing a track plan, but it has been a long time. I remember folks asking about it, but I suppose I could have missed it too?  Might be time for me to do a video review here? Well worth watching again! 

I tried creating JD's layout in RR-Track several years ago, but as I recall got stuck somewhere, then we moved somewhere around that time. The project was abandoned after that, other than I may have viewed it a time or two afterward after seeing another one of his videos. I may still have an attempt at it in RR-Track, if I can find it that is?

To try an figure out the track plan (if memory hasn't failed me completely), I was using a video JD made with a camera on the train touring the layout where the track was complete at that time. As I recall he was still missing a switch or two at that time? (Or had maybe just gotten the missing switches?)

Dave, does SCARM have just a plan viewer or would I need the entire program to see the work you guys are doing on this plan? I expect not, but thought I would ask? (He's gonna get me for a registration yet, just so I can look at these plans!). Guess I should go take a look at the SCARM website... (I know he has put a lot of work into the program too, supporting it is good and well deserved. Wasn't trying to skimp or shortchange here.)  

Also, Dave is correct on the old SCARM not working anymore. My old SCARM copy stopped working long ago, keeping it would not have helped (that's what I was using that to view all the layouts you all post around here).

Hey all, I took J Martin's base and expanded on it a little. I finally started to understand how Atlas O track fits together. I think I have made a pretty good copy of JD's layout with a few minor changes. Let me know what you think.

Doran,

I'm not sure where to go with this. I've added a merged file so others can see what you're working with. I added the upper level as well as color to separate the various runs and the 2 levels. The upper level rises 6" at a 3.2% grade, though I think it's higher in the video. I also reviewed some of the videos again and came up with a different version (photo 4) I think is closer to the original design, especially the tracks in the center. You should be able to download and open the files, but you won't be able to make changes.

I haven't figured out where the other reversing loop is, if there is one, so it's still missing. The dark circle on the left appears to be more of an oval in the videos, so I assume his decking is wider than 96" or he used different size curves.

Anyway, I haven't messed with the fitment yet because I saw what J Martin did, saw how you'll probably end up with a bunch of small fitter pieces, and am not sure you want that. For example, in the bottom crossover in his version, there are 7 small pieces between the 2 switches that could be replaced by a single 40" piece and need less than an inch cut off. While the small pieces might fit in SCARM and during construction, it adds a lot of joints that weakens the signal and may cause problems at some point. I don't know what you plan to use for control (DCS, TMCC, Conventional, whatever), but if it were my layout, I'd favor cutting tracks to minimize the number of small pieces and reduce the number of joints wherever I could.

I can work on the fitment to either add the smaller pieces or use cut pieces, it's up to you. I can then break the design into smaller files if you want so you can make changes. Let me know what you want to do and we'll go from there.

rtr12 posted:

Dave, does SCARM have just a plan viewer or would I need the entire program to see the work you guys are doing on this plan? I expect not, but thought I would ask? (He's gonna get me for a registration yet, just so I can look at these plans!). Guess I should go take a look at the SCARM website... (I know he has put a lot of work into the program too, supporting it is good and well deserved. Wasn't trying to skimp or shortchange here.)  

You need the new version, but AFAIK you only need the trial version to view designs. If there are more than 100 pieces, you won't be able to make changes, but you can still view the larger designs.

Also, are you saying he's got a covered reversing loop below the main level?

Thanks, Dave! Good news, that will work for me. I'll go take a look for the trial version. 

Edit: It works!

Dave, I think the other reversing loop is below the main base layout and is hidden from view. Train goes down below table out of view, makes a large loop, reversing direction and coming back up to the main base layout level. At least that is the way JD's layout was. (I believe it enters and leaves the loop below on the same track, if memory serves here.)

Just suggesting here on my part, I defer to the OP for proper orientation for what he is doing here as it's his layout you all are working on. Didn't mean to try to jump in and change anything for him. Just that as I said above, I am a big fan of JD's layout and it's nice to see someone else interested in it too.

Yes, a loop below, you posted while I was thinking about it...Smoke was coming out my ears... 

Did some more work and I'm really liking the outcome. Thanks for the guidance everyone!!! I built off all of your plans. Is 6inches enough space between levels?

Have fun with it.  I spent an untold number of hours and so many versions but had fun the whole way.  It is well worth paying for the full version.  It will pay for itself in no time by not over buying track and then figuring out you don't need it. 

6 inches is not enough in my opinion.  Remember the track adds nearly an 1/2 inch.  Scale Intermodals won't go under at that height.  7 might be good. I did 6.5 but forgot the track and it is tight on some cars.   I attached a pic of when I first started building my elevated section.  Easy to see height at 6.5 inches from base.  It looks good at this point but I wish I had done 7 inches.  At lest 6.75 inches from base to ceiling of elevated section.  Like I said before most cars fit buy MTH Intermodals scrape on a joint.

Another note.  Having switches in tunnels can be problematic.  Make sure you have easy access to those areas from underneath.  It isn't if engines or cars derail in that area but when.

I/ll probably leave the backside of the layout open for access. Good advice, I'll try 7in in SCARM. What is too extreme of a grade percent. In Marklin anything under 5% was workable.

If you go to 8" separation, you'll get 4.7% grades. I believe both Lionel and MTH trestle sets create 5% grades.

Thanks DOUBLEDAZ, I changed my plan to 8in in between each level with a 4.7% grade on each level transfer. I added the two spurs on the top level for logging stations.

Looks like you've got a plan. Good luck with construction.