New real estate acquired, need ideas

Gene,

    If you plan to run some larger engines run 048 or bigger on you outside most loop.

Most of the engines will run on 048 but not all, IMO the problem with Ross switches is they have no command control available at this time.  I have 031 RealTrax inside my 048/036 FasTrack layout, all my Tin Plate engines & rolling stock run on the 048 no problems at all, I do use the CC-FT 072 switches however for constant quality running.

PCRR/Dave

 

 

Pine

What do you mean they Ross have no comnand and control at this time?

Yea,what do you mean by that?

My Command & Control for Ross turnouts has always been Tortoise 12VDC motors and on/on toggles[replaced ASCs].

 

Walt: It seems to me that you will have plenty of space to install really wide mainline curve arcs--096, etc.

If possible try to plan the location of switches, accessories and railpower connections so you can rough wire as much as possible prior to covering up the benchwork grid. It will really save a lot of under layout work later. Use small T-strips where your planned wire runs terminate which will provide for easy, quick hook up after the track, switches,accessories,etc are placed.

Good luck? 

 

 

 

southernrr,

You have a blank canvas. read through the attached document to help with the design process.

My opinion, around the wall with a peninsula or two. Micromark has a nice over the layout creeper. No wider than 36" for the around the walls. Lift out at entrance or closets and such.(bridges or narrow flats)

 

have fun! it's nice when the rr negotiates new right-of-way leases for expansion.

I agree on using round-the-wall. My little attic layout is less than half the size of your "real estate" at 9 x 16 with 084/096 end curves[2010 photo].  I utilize a piano-hinged drop section to enter the layout at the entrance door.

Ok, a brief update and of course, another question.

 

The room is ready and the lumber assembled for the construction phase of the project.  Decided on 064 for one outside loop, 054 for the next outside loop, and 031 for the inner/switching loop.  

 

So the question is in regard to my Atlas TT & RH.  What would you suggest me using to access these three loops going to/coming from the TT & RH?  I looked over the Ross website today, but could not determine what would be the best fit.

 

Thanks, 

Contacted Steve at Ross and learned that the standard #100 & #101 switches will work to move correctly between the 2 main loops and the 3rd switching loop. Many thanks Steve for the quick response and advice with this!

 

Looks like several forum members are in the middle of either redesigning their current layout and/or building for the first time.  Seems the common theme shared by most is that the layout should be an around the wall layout versus out in the center of the room with aisles between the table and wall.  I'm still torn on this as I would love to have access from both sides, but also know putting it along the wall would increase the amount of space I would have for operations.

 

Thoughts, ideas???

Gene,

 

An "around the wall" layout doesn't have to be truly around all four walls.  You could, in fact, design a letter "E" layout with balloons at the top and bottom segments of the E for continuous running.  Within the balloons, place your accessories and towns.  You could then set up a wye to the middle segment of the E where you place a yard and/or turntable.

 

The nice thing about an E design is that you could limit yourself to only placing the long backbone of the E directly against a wall requiring that said backbone be no more than 3 feet in width.  Your balloons could then be about 6 feet square, allowing for O72 curves because you would have access to almost four full sides of each balloon.

 

Please remember that I'm just thinking out loud here, but I envy the space opportunity you've identified.

 

Good luck,

Chuck

Chuck,

 

Really appreciate your thoughts and ideas.  The "E" arrangement sounds like a good one.  

 

The added space was a gift from my wife to agree to tear down the walls and paint the room, and then to my daughter, her husband, and their kids for the demolition and the laying of the carpet squares.

 

Thanks again,