UP SD70 posted:Moonman posted:UP SD70 posted:I think I'm going to go with something like this. I found on the Atlas O Layout Packages. It's called Cave Creek Central. It's cool cause it's got plenty of places for cars and locomotives to park. But it's not a rectangular shaped loop.
It's going to be about 8'x21'.
The only thing is it's going to be pretty pricey.. so I intend to build the inner loop and crossing first... Then add the switches, the external loop, and then the branches at the top.
I have a list of the parts for the whole thing but wish I knew exactly which pieces (besides the obvious ones) go where. If anyone has the schematic of the layout let me know.
Ok, here you go - I have given you the substitute tracks to build the loop without the crossover. The location of the switches for the inner loop are displayed.
Find Atlas item #6008 - It has all of the details.
I would suggest that you build the table as an island walk-around or flip the yard to the front if one side will be against a wall.
Build the framing about 24" smaller on each dimension over-hanging 12" on each side and use 3/4" plywood for decking. That will provide a nice edge without bumping legs. You need 5.25 sheets or 6. The home store will do the 1' rip for you.
I have also indicated the a start point or index. If you center the 2- 1.75" pieces at that location, the rest of the layout will fit as you add-on.
One comment about this layout...It is really a large semi-scale layout as the small switch is O-54. Some scale engines can navigate that radius, but it could be limiting for scale steamers.
Lots of details to learn, framing, wiring, track installation - search here and on the web.
I hope this helps some - Good Luck and Have Fun!
Edit - The O54 switches have a 4.5" straight included -photo attached
Carl,
I'm about to order this track through discount-train.. I was thinking about doing the cross without the switches. So the train would kind of do a figure-8.
I would put a 6081- cross in the middle. On the bottom of the cross I would add a 10" & 4.5" Straight the bottom right and left. Then use the extra 072 curves for the top right and left instead of the straight track.
Is that doable? Looks like it.
Well, that will throw off the starting reference point so that the rest of the layout can be built around it. Make it 108.25" from the left and 21.25" from the top where the center rail of the 1.75" and the O72 curve to the cross join.
here's the configuration
