navy.seal posted:SGMA1 posted:Although it would be a plus operationally to have larger diameter curves dedicated to the larger (Standard gauge) trains, visually having the smaller (0 gauge) trains on the outside loop is better. I would suggest using our STD57 curves inside of a 0-72 loop, or our STD84 curves inside of a 0-96 loop. STD42 curves are traditional, but operationally not so great.
Kirk Lindvig, USA Track LLC
Kirk,
I have to disagree with your recommendation to have the track loops for the smaller O gauge trains run outside the track loops for the larger Standard Gauge trains. Rather, I would recommend installing the O gauge track loops inside the Standard Gauge track loops. By doing this you build the concept of "forced perspective" into the layout's design.
To the viewer, objects in the foreground naturally appear larger than those same objects located in the background. Therefore, by running Standard Gauge trains on the outside loops and O gauge trains on the inside loops you create the illusion of "depth" in a layout. Your suggestion to run the loops for the O gauge trains outside of those for the Standard Gauge trains goes against the natural perspective that our minds are conditioned to see, i.e., objects in the foreground appear larger than those in the background.
Optimally, to prevent the view of the smaller O gauge trains from being blocked by the larger Standard Gauge trains, the track loops for O gauge trains should ideally be located on elevated platform built inside the Standard Gauge loops. This will ensure that the running of the Standard Gauge trains will never block the view of the O gauge trains.
Bob Nelson
Bob,
How high is a STD gauge engine? What is the height of the STD railhead?
it would seem to me that one would have to build something close to an 8" - 10" wedding cake layer.
The requirement to keep the three O loops doesn't permit the space needed to help the forced perspective like the photos of Nationwide Lines layout above.
