O42 Figure 8

What brand track did they sell you? Atlas? If so, the best I could do is 18 curves, 4-10" straights and 4-5.5" straights. Even then it's too large for the 4x8 sheet of plywood.

Switching to O36 curves and replacing the 5.5" straights with 2 each 1.75" straights lets it fit.

It looks like Lionel track - the description is 434LNL - 61292.  I could extend the sheet no problem.  If I can't find the 5.5 pieces can I go with more curves and enlarge the plywood?

Thanks.

Dan

I need 12 pieces of 042 to make a circle with mine. So 16 sounds like too few. Perhaps snag another 2-4 sections, and try again?

El Classico, 16 is too few, but buying more is not the answer. The number of tracks needed depends on how the tracks are sized. MTH RealTrax and Lionel O27 (that Dan seems to be using) are 30°, so it takes 12 to make a circle (12x30=360). GarGraves and Ross are 45°, so it only takes 8 (8x45=360).

Dan, be that as it may, I don't see an easy way to make a Figure 8 with Lionel O27 track using O42 curves. The shortest straight piece Lionel makes in O27 is 4.88" and the Figure 8 needs 18 O42 curves, 4-8.75" straights, 4-4.88" straight plus 4 that are about 3". There might be a way to kludge things together using a combination of the other curves, etc., but it would look ugly. A Figure 8 can be made with their O54 curves, but you can see both exceed 4x8, the latter by quite a bit. Of course, cutting some track to fill the 3" empty parts in the first photo is an option.

O42

O54

NOTE: I deleted my previous post because I messed up the brand of tracks I used.

Dave,

Looks like I should give up the figure 8.  I already ordered 4 new curved pieces so I will have 20 curves , 4 straights and the cross piece.  Could you suggest a layout that would work?  Thank you for taking your time on this. 

Dan

I haven't used O27 track in 60 years, but rethinking the Figure 8, I think the track might give enough through the curves to make this version work (photo 1). It's a little bigger than 4x8, but you said that was okay. You have enough track to put one side together to see if it works before you buy a few more straight sections. If it doesn't give enough though, then I'm not sure what to try. O42 doesn't seem to work with the 90° piece given the lack of shorter straight tracks. Conversely, the smaller O27 curves work just fine to configure different versions of a Figure 8 (photo 2). Not using the 90° piece still presents problems because the O42 curves simply won't fit in 4x8 (photo 3) for anything but a simple oval. Maybe the tracks will give enough for photo 1 and your grandchild will be a happy camper.

Dave,

One more query on your first suggestion,  do you cut the 10" track sections down to the 5.5 inch sections or do you purchase the short sections?  Also are you using some sort of software? 

Thanks again.

Dan

With Lionel O gauge tubular the half straights are about 5 inches long. I try to use sections of track rather then cutting but sometimes you must cut a piece of track to make it fit correctly.

I have not seen a figure 8 in 042 curves, it can be done.

Lee Fritz

Lee,

Thank you, good to know that you can cut the track.   Where do you get your track?

Dan

Dan, that original plan I did was done with MTH RealTrax, before I knew you were using Lionel O27 tubular track. Technically, tubular track comes in 3 sizes; 35", 8.75" and 4.88". I've never cut tubular track, but I understand it's probably the easiest to cut.

Anyway, as far as I can tell, the only way to make a Figure 8 with what you have is to expand the plywood to 102" (8' 6") and cut .75" off 4 new 8.75" straights. Before I did that though, I'd see if things give enough like I mentioned in an earlier post.

 BTW, sorry for taking so long to respond, but I spent yesterday and 3 hours today helping our youngest daughter move.................and my muscles are letting me know I'm getting too old for that.

Dave,

Again thank you.  I appreciate you taking the time.  Now I have a blueprint.  I'll let you know how it works.

Dan

You're welcome Dan. Hope you can start having some fun soon.

Dave,

Just wanted you to know your measurements were right on.  I made some simple extensions and we were in business.

Dan

That is awesome, Dan. I really like how you did those extensions and that smile is priceless, looks like all the kids are having a great time. I hope you're up to it, looks like there's room to expand.

A good way to evolve that layout for two trains is to make a tighter-radius figure-8 in the center with an O42 oval around the outside. Add some buildings and have fun with it!