Oval around a fig. 8 ?

Tell me the current track radius draw what you want it to look like on paper and post a pic. I will draw it up on rr track 5.

I highly recommend rrtrack 5. It pays for itself in saved time and extra track purchases. There are a list of features I wish it had, but it does the job.

O.C.

I based my layout on Mike Donahue's track plan from this thread:

https://ogrforum.com/t...-layout-for-grandson

Mike's post appears at March 18, 2012 at 11:32 p.m.  The track plan is attached to his last post on that thread.

I say "based" because I already had a bunch of the curved track and I had no idea what degree of curve it was.  I bought 1 manual switch for the part of the track on the near side of the layout and a remote switch for the far side of the track next to the wall that I could not reach.  I bought several pieces each (~4) of 4.5 inch straight, 5 inch straight and the two smaller sizes -- which I didn't even know what size they were.  I got them home and just played around with it until it fit.

Rob,

I know what I'm downloading tonight.. Any drawbacks to scarm? 

None that I can find. Large libraries like FasTrack require a lot of scrolling sometimes is all.

SCARM is free, only drawback is learning curve. And it may not yet have all the track libraries that RR-Track has, not sure on it's current status? It was missing a few in the past. Some tutorials have been done by other forum members and posted here somewhere if you can find them. The author is a forum member and also posts here.

I was already heavily invested in RR-Track before SCARM or I would also get more serious about learning SCARM. Some very nice drawings created with it have been posted here. Some folks are quite good with it.

Many thanks to all, Marty, Rob, Joe.  The photo of my layout is at the top of this thread.  I have an exact fig. 8(looks exactly like the number 8), no "bulges". From one end of 8 through the center of the 8, to other end of 8, is 7 /14 ft. My board is 8ft x 8ft. As you can see from photo, I have one siding with switch, ending in lighted bumper. Really all I need to know with any of the layouts, is the number/types of FasTrack needed for a particular design. You can see from photo, what pieces  I already have. May I say, what a great group of folks that are in this hobby. I never knew  I would find these kind of good people involved in O gauge.

You don't have enough track to add an oval.

I just stretched the "8" by 10 inches(two straight tracks put in exactly opposite each other) to extend the run for the train and give the siding a better positioning.

If you right click on the track diagram and then click "view image", you can see the layout full size. Each track piece has the dimension printed on it, and I only used the same catalog numbers/pieces that you already have some of for simplicity(10" straights 12014, 45° curves 12015, 5" straights 12024, the O36 switch(R 12018 in plan, L 12017 would just switch it to a mirror image), and 45° crossing 12019).

The plan is on a 5" grid - so this layout is on a 96" x 96" board.

OK. So I did a similar layout to Robs. Since you didn't specify, i left your turnout where it was.

In windows 7 you can open the xps file to see a picture

In any program that will open a .csv file, you can see the track list.

I think it is an OK start, but bear in mind there are many different track radii and turnout radii. With that space, you might be able to do something nicer.

With the info you have now provided, twice, this is my best shot.

I like Robs turnout placement better.

I think, with a little thought you could have a siding big enough for that train, plus a car or 2, but unless you learn the SCARM freeware, or buy the painfully easy RRTrack 5, you are going to end up misbuying and redoing the layout a few times to get something you like.

Not trying to be mean, this is just a limitation of forum communication. 

From the timing, we must be equally bored tonight!

Marty and Rob,

Rich info. I know I don't have enough track to add the oval. I was pondering the amount/type of FasTrack I might need to add a connected oval surrounding the fig. 8.  I know  i will need to purchase additional FasTrack. From your diagram , looks like  i will need 2 switches for the bottom left curves of the fig. 8 and 4 curves(like 4 corners of a square).

Hi Old Creosote,

There's a lot you can do with an 8 x 8, but I tried to stick to your request with a slightly over the top version.

here's my offering...an 072 oval around the figure 8 connected together. provides reverse loops to change direction, multiple routes, room for scenery and adding spurs.

The roadbed will be right to the edge on the East and West sides.

The slight extension of the figure 8 at the North should be 4". There is no combination of FasTrack for that length, so 3-1 3/8" pieces are used for 4 1/8" total. It will be a little tight on the fitment, but should not cause any issues.

Your choice on switches Command Control, Remotes or manual. I used remotes.

Photos and pdf with parts list attached.

Moonman,

Many thanks ! Very helpful, in that when I expand your attachment,  I can see exactly what track/size/amount is needed. I assume that the "O" designation is the type of FasTrack and the other number is obviously the inches-length of track ?

Happy New Year and thx again.

O.C.

Old Creosote,

Your are welcome. The pdf should let you easily print everything. may want to skip the 3D page, it will use a lot of ink.

The O-xx is the Lionel designation name-it is molded into the bottom of the track. Yes, it's O gauge 72inch diameter, O gauge 36" diameter switch, etc.

Just some more food for thought on a layout option.

if you install SCARM and want the file, let me know.

Moonman,

Since I already have the fig. 8(except mine doesn't have the the 6 1/3/8" FasTrack piesces that you have in yours), adding the 16 O 72 curves, the 2 10" straights,  the 4 41/2 " in curves, the 4  switches and some pieces I added that you had in your fig 8 and  I didn't in mine, that weren't labeled in your diagram, so I guessed what they were. Going to the online vendor: Model Train Stuff, the total for the additional FasTrack is ~ $430. I'm guessing this is a normal outlay for track expansion ??

Best,

O.C.

hey OC,

Their prices look ok for retail new. I shop the forum and local sources for used track, especially switches. This takes some time to accumulate what you need, but can save some $.

When you want to get it built now, you can expect that kind of outlay. That dealer has been around for some time and would stand behind their sale, so it's probably best in your situation to buy that way in case something isn't right.

The extra pieces in the figure 8 were to extend the eight to fit inside the oval. You can also put your siding in wherever there is 10" to put in the manual 036 switch.

The pieces that weren't labeled are the 036 11.25º curve. That is included with the switch. No need to purchase those separately.