Point to point layout

I started in 3r with a point to point,,it was in the sept 2009 CTT magazine. it gave me a place to run some trains when i couldnt do a loop...conrail john

2-rail or 3-rail?

With 2-rail, if you have 4-axle diesels and small steam switchers, you can get away with 36" radius (O-72) for your corner which gives more room for the industries to switch. With 3-rail, you can go a bit sharper -- O-63 or O-54,

With either, use numbered turnouts instead of curve-replacements as the appearance will be better. I have a few corner plans I was tinkering around with. They're a little larger than your space, but could probably be cut down.

This first one is 10'4"x10'4" and uses 42" radius (O-84) curves. Main turnouts are #6. Industry turnouts are #4.

This next one is 9'8"x12' with 36" radius curves (O-72)

This next one is 12'x12' and features some street running. Curves are 36" radius. The design plan for this was inclusion into a larger layout at some point.

This one is modeled after Santa Ana Avenue and Olive Street in Anahiem California. All of the industries in the area are gone, but the line is used to reach a group of industries that are South of the area. Size is 12'x12'. Curves are 36" radius (O-72). Turnouts are #4.

Thanks guys for the tips, my scale sized engines are 3rail. Looking forward to some track plans Matt. 

Dave

Thanks Matt for the track plans, it will give me some ideas when the time comes. 

You're most welcome. The last one actually best lends itself to being shortened to 10x10. Take 12 inches off the ends, cut the sections between the turnouts and the corner by 12 inches, then cut down the spurs and you're there.

Matt, I like the looks of your track plans...what program do you use for track planning?  Easy to use?  Does it come with the full catalogue of Atlas track and switches?

Thanks.

I use RR-Track 5.0 with the full O gauge library. It includes Atlas 2-rail and 3-rail track, plus ScaleTrax, RealTrax, FasTrack, Gargraves, Ross, Curtis, and good old tubular. It also has several accessory libraries available.

It's fairly easy to use. Some constructions are a little tricky, but experimentation will get you through.