About this time every year, I end up changing my Fastrack layout around. Nothing is laid down permanently, so it's not a big deal to change things up and try something new. The only constant is the benchwork as it has been up quite a while, it's solid, and to be quite honest I have no desire to change it. I just want to swap track and play with trains.
The room is 12' x 9', and the benchwork is around the room 12' x 8' 9". There is a 7' x 3' opening in the center, and for me, even with my belly, I can reach all areas quite easily.
Over the years I have always managed to come up with something quite different from the year before, including newly acquired accessories to display which makes it interesting. For whatever reason this year I am finding it difficult to come up with something new that I haven't had prior. I seem to be in a bit a design rut, so I figured I would consult this forum as you guys come up with some great ideas whenever folks ask for help.
Most of my engines will negotiate O36, but I have a few (Vision Line CP ES44 and NS Genset, along with the BNSF Ice Cold Express AC6000) that don't like the small curves. I have another level of all O72 where I normally run these guys. But this year, I would like to be able to run them on the lower level AND include reverse loops. I realize I'm not going to get that given the space I have, so what I've come up with is a mainline with O60 and O72 where I can run the big stuff around the outside, but I've also included an inside loop with O36 reversing loops for the stuff that will negotiate them.
I'm not that happy with the yard at the bottom, so that has to change.
I have a pretty good stock of O36 and O72 switches and about 6 wyes to work with. All the little 1 3/8" scattered around are the approximate locations of the posts supporting the second level.
All comments and ideas are welcome will be appreciated!
Gary
