Potential New Fasttrack Layout

Looks like fun to me! 

How big is the space required?   Cant see the dimensions.

@TrainCzar posted:

How big is the space required?   Cant see the dimensions.

106" x 54"

Curves are too tight. You could only run the shorter locomotives, Pacifics, Berks, Fs, GPs, etc.

@Yellowstone Special posted:

Curves are too tight. You could only run the shorter locomotives, Pacifics, Berks, Fs, GPs, etc.

Yep, I'm all O31.

Looks like a fun little railroad.

Probably 5' x 9'?

Should be a fun layout.  Suggestion - eliminate the S curve at the front of the layout; that'll eliminate problems with potential derailments.

Second suggestion - add a stopping block.  This allows 2 trains to share the track.  Train 1 passes the trigger and stops following train 2.

how are you going to control trains?

@gunny posted:

how are you going to control trains?

With their remotes or the app.  I have all Lionchief (for now).  Will likely get a base3 as well.

@cbq9911a posted:

Should be a fun layout.  Suggestion - eliminate the S curve at the front of the layout; that'll eliminate problems with potential derailments.

Agree............remove the S curve.........otherwise, it looks like a fun layout!

Peter

Keep the S curve.  It provides a lot of visual interest.  Way better than just more straight track.  It'll also provide a fun spot for some unique scenicing options.  Angela Trotta (and Bob) Thomas had a similar "jog" and there layout when it was featured in CTT decades ago.  To this day, my favorite aspect of the track plan.

Stu

I'd replace the 22.5 degree crossovers with switches and replace the S curves with a straight. Then extend the outer loop straight across. Add a 4 switch crossover between the two straights per the attached.

You can now operate the outer loop independently from the inner loops while maintaining the option to switch between the two. It also allows you more flexibility in terms of how many trains you can run at one time and you can run the trains in opposite directions.

Fun looking layout plan for running one "short" train.  The crossovers should add operating interest.  An interesting build.

Observations - no on-track storage, limited space for scenery, probable 1 train running layout, train length is limited to the length available in the inner loops - 7 to 8 cars?

Considerations - do you want to run more than one train at a time, can you work in a passing track or sidings for car storage, do you want to run longer trains?   

Thanks for all the comments and tips, I've taken them as inspiration.  Here is a new draft. In 2 phases before and after switches.

I like version 2, but I'd still add two more switches and straighten out the outer loop at the bottom, so that you can run that outer loop independently and w/o interference with or from the inner loops. My $0.02

In version one, you really have two figure eights inside the big loop, the red one and the blue one but you can never run two trains at the same time without stopping, because you can never get the timing so that they won’t crash into each other at the crossover.

In version two, you have the same problem as version 1, and you’ve created a deadlock condition where once you go into the red or the blue loop you can never get out. Unless you back out.

You need to relocate the turnouts to make this work. Post the SCARM file if you want some help…

Once you enter the figure 8s you can't get out.  I would duplicate the switch section on the bottom on the top.  Also close the connection on the outer loop so you can run two trains independently.  The total number of switches is 12.

Jan

Here's my newest attempt.  I'm fine with one running train at a time and the tight O31 curves.  Open to any recommendations,  Including scarm file as well.