Partial track plan for proposed branch line layout in small room

Here is a shot of the engine house and its corner.  Was taking pics of my old Mamod set to sell, Right now there is no track in place. Although the track would be different, the old Mamod track gives an idea of my thoughts.  Need to get some turnouts next, have plenty of flex track on hand.  Anybody have some decent used turnouts they will let go for a really really good price?  Mike the Aspie

My only thoughts are to create a "run-around" track.  This would enable an engine to get to either side of a piece of rolling stock without picking it up.  Second, it is always good to be able to "reverse" an engine (steam) again without picking it up.  Build a custom-made turntable (manual).  

It would be fun switching the sidings...  

Like the overall plan. i concur with John's suggestion of a run-around track. You might want to re-configure the feed mill area as the "tail" track is a bit short for switching the feed mill. 36" radius curves will work well for this design.

I will make the curves as wide as I can to better suit the F units and modern grain hoppers if I go with this idea.  I could put a run around track above where my work bench is when that bench work gets built.  I have looked at very basic switching layouts and they just become boring to me after awhile.  Sometimes when I am overwhelmed, I just like to watch the train run, so I want to be able to do that when I want to.   Our winters are to harsh to run the outdoor G scale and if my wife is watching TV, I can't run the overhead loop in that room.  So my room is my retreat when I need to calm down.  Mike

Since you have worked in HO, have you considered a narrow gauge ON30 layout?    O scale narrow gauge that runs on HO guaged  track.    To make it look right, you need to get Narrow gauge track, but curves and rolling stock sizes are much smaller than standard gauge.

Also by "run-around" the writer meant a passing siding so the loco can be run around the train, not a connection to run around a loop.

I knew that, about the passing track.  Like I posted, I can put that feature on the bench work not shown on the from Bachmann and anything else in that scale gets expensive.  I already have a nice stash for O scale flex track, 2 All Nation F units, 1 All Nation NW2 and a couple freight cars.  I will need a few 40" box cars and a few grain hoppers.  I could backdate to the era of grain loading in 40' box cars, that would solve dealing with long modern grain hoppers.   One F unit is in GN simplified Empire Builder colors, other one is unpainted yet.  If I go the more modern era, run down short line theme, I thought about replacing the GN lettering with a short line name and just adopt the GN colors.  We do hope to move to a bigger house in a few years, so there is hope to one day have more room for a bigger layout.   Only one of the 2 F units is actually powered, other is non powered.    Mike

I have used ATLAS turnouts with the 36" radius,some need some work others are in good shape yet. Say $20 each. If interested will get you pic's.

Concerning the layout,do you have room for future expansion in mind,even if it's impossible now? You seem satisfied with your layout plan,THAT'S THE IMPORTANT IDEA everything else will fall into place. Just my 2 cents worth.

Al Hummel

Allen, it would all depend on what kind of room I would gain in a new home, if we ever achieve it.  I do plan to keep the modules seperate when I do the scenery material, that way only a simple cut with the dremel to seperate the rails at each module joint.   That won't happen for atleast 5-10 years from now.  So not a huge worry, but reason enough to plan ahead.  With the track plan that is in the picture, plus a run around track added when I extend the bench work, I would initialy need 4 RH and 2 LH turnouts.  See if you can make up a package deal if you have that many.  That will be a major expense for me, so it will take a bit to get funds together.  Took a bit to get the funds in place to get the NW2 I just bought.  Most of what I make at work goes to bills.  Mike

buy as many turnouts as you can.   Your plan is is still in design, it may change.

Have to be able to afford as many as I can, and that doesn't usually happen with my train budget.  Unless I find older Atlas/Roco turnouts super cheap, like $10 each or under, I won't be buying mass quantities. 

The old original Atlas/Roco switches are only 24 inch radius.    They really limit the equipment and locos you can run.    The Roco switches that came in later (in 2 pieces) were closer to a #6,

Ok,sorry about that,thanks for the info. What I can tell is they run 60ft tankers through with no problems.

Al

I need to stay around a #6 as I dont think the F7 will manage a 24" radius turnout without binding in the drive shafts to the trucks.   Mike

Atlas #5's should work fine, but their length (20 inches) might be problematic within the track plan. They can be cut down quite a bit, though.

If you are genuine and honest with me I can send you a box of O scale stuff to get you going and it won't cost you a cent.

I have lots of items from previous layouts I don't need anymore and nobody over here (West Aust) wants them eventually they will be trashed but if you want something and your honest with me you can have a box full not till after Christmas, January 2017 will be the earliest I can send it, you won't be disappointed.

I am not setting myself up as a charity or being a big man but I struggled once and you guys helped me I will return the favour. Roo.

I always appreciate any help I can get.  Its a stuggle to afford most O scale items for me.  And I do not want to go back to the smaller scales.  Getting to hard to see and enjoy.    Mike

Went to the Danville Indiana train show today with a friend. Had about $40 to spend (last of this years mowing money)  Got 2 vintage wood reefers that were built with trucks and dummy coupers, one is Morrel Meats other is GN/PFE.  I also got a unbuilt Athearn SP/PFE reefer kit.  I had enough left over to pick up 2 sets of Athearn Bettendorf trucks (new in the package) and a tube of Walthers Goo at the local hobby shop on the easy side of Indy.   My friend took me to Ponderosa steakhouse for lunch before we headed home.  Cold and windy here today, but we both had a great time.   He picked up an EJ&E lantern from the war time years.    Mike the Aspie

Here is a pic of my 2 F units, the two new reefers and my other 2 cars I got awhile ago.  You can also see the engine house in the background.   Mike

The layout is set quite high up, it will eventually go over the work bench.  I just haven't gotten back to cut and and sand the dowels down.  I still need to fasten down the layout top yet, its just sitting there right now on top of the bench work.   I am so exhausted after work right now, that not much gets done during the week.  Hope to get more done now that colder weather is finally settling in for the duration.   Mike