So I came up with a track layout, I have not yet tried to do it in scarm yet, but I thought I would post in on here to get everyone's thoughts. My minimum radius will be O36. I know with the sketch I do not really have a sense of scale and I am sure that everything that I have in the industrial section will not fit. Positive criticism would be greatly appreciated. I plan on having this layout be all one level and possibly use fastrack.
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Is there a curved diamond for those turns at the top?
Just for the heck of it, I'd draw up an alternate plan with an island layout rather than the U. My current layout is a U and although that shape allows for good access to all parts of the layout, I've found it lacks depth. Everything just seems a bit shallow and it's hard to do more complex track designs. I also regret not putting in at least one wider curve loop. Next time around I would definitely would do more of an island. If you do stick with the U shape one trick I've found is the use of levels to make things more interesting.
Hi Salvagni,
Here's a start for you. Everything will be indexed off the interchange at the top. It sets the down tracks at 6" centers, which is natural for FasTrack and allows easy fitment elsewhere. The switches will have to be 036 on the loops. Run an 048 outer and 036 inner for the loops.
You could elevate the outer loop from the bottom up (South to NW) and down to top center (North) about 3 -4 inches or so for effect on one side.
The industrial area will be a little bit of a pain. To enter the Industrial area as designed will need an 072 switch and 22.5° cross for that angle. It will throw off the 6" spacing and require fitters. You'll need to work on that entry method.
Oh, I have attached the FasTrack lengths chart. You'll need it.
Have fun!
Is there a curved diamond for those turns at the top?
This was only a sketch of what I was thinking, obviously it is not going to work exactly as I drew it. I am only in the conceptual phase of my layout.
Hi Salvagni,
Here's a start for you. Everything will be indexed off the interchange at the top. It sets the down tracks at 6" centers, which is natural for FasTrack and allows easy fitment elsewhere. The switches will have to be 036 on the loops. Run an 048 outer and 036 inner for the loops.
You could elevate the outer loop from the bottom up (South to NW) and down to top center (North) about 3 -4 inches or so for effect on one side.
The industrial area will be a little bit of a pain. To enter the Industrial area as designed will need an 072 switch and 22.5° cross for that angle. It will throw off the 6" spacing and require fitters. You'll need to work on that entry method.
Oh, I have attached the FasTrack lengths chart. You'll need it.
Have fun!
Here is my first attempt at doing a layout on my own. I have a few cut pieces that I would like to eliminate, haven't figured that part out yet. still new to scarm. all the switches used were O36. curious to see what some well seasoned designers think. any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
How will the yard be used? Staging complete trains or cuts and builds?
Depending on what you will do with it, You may need a longer yard lead, some 1 3/8" for yard spur power cut-offs, and some 5" uncoupler tracks.
The tracks at the end of the legs of the U hang off. Press the B button to toggle roadbed on\off. So, all 4 straights need to be shortened.
Hiding the reversing circles in the mountain is ok. It will look cool for a viewer not knowing where the train will exit. The cost is a loss of a lot of view of the trains. Perhaps leaving the elevated line open would improve that.
Fitting can be tedious. Measure the gap and go to the FastTrack lengths table if you don't want to cut. Where there is no combination add the track next to gap and look for a combination for the longer length. Cutting isn't that bad. It is more economical and reduces track joints.
The 072 switches give the train an easier transition for the interlockings(crossing over)
Take a look at the changes I made for examples of the fitment changes on the right leg end.
How will the yard be used? Staging complete trains or cuts and builds?
Depending on what you will do with it, You may need a longer yard lead, some 1 3/8" for yard spur power cut-offs, and some 5" uncoupler tracks.
The tracks at the end of the legs of the U hang off. Press the B button to toggle roadbed on\off. So, all 4 straights need to be shortened.
Hiding the reversing circles in the mountain is ok. It will look cool for a viewer not knowing where the train will exit. The cost is a loss of a lot of view of the trains. Perhaps leaving the elevated line open would improve that.
Fitting can be tedious. Measure the gap and go to the FastTrack lengths table if you don't want to cut. Where there is no combination add the track next to gap and look for a combination for the longer length. Cutting isn't that bad. It is more economical and reduces track joints.
The 072 switches give the train an easier transition for the interlockings(crossing over)
Take a look at the changes I made for examples of the fitment changes on the right leg end.
You have to right-click the file and "save target as" on your computer with SCARM. Save it . Then it will open with SCARM.
You would need a 1-3/8" piece at the beginning of the yard spur and wire a SPST switch in the hot to turn power on and off.
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