16.5 x 7 Layout

Matt, Congratulations on your new house and space available for a nice sized layout!!  My only suggestion is that if you have one turn-back loop, you should have a second one to turn-back the other way.  It could be done as a mirror image of the first turn-back with a switch as you exit the inner loop upper tunnel portal.

As you may be aware, there are others here who can really pick it apart with some other great suggestions I would never think of.

Matt:

Yiu could try attached -  Just beware - too much track means less room for structures and accessories.

Joe

I would add a way for trains to get to the top level, also I hear putting switches in tunnels can be an issue. 

Looks like a good start - enjoy the process & journey!  I agree with what Mark & Joe have said.  However, to better answer your questions I'll need to ask a few:

What does the space you have in the bonus room look like (i.e., dimensions & shape)?  Are you committed to a rectangular table-top layout, or would an around-the-walls layout be an option?  That might not only give you longer loops but open up possibilities for more &/or longer sidings, yards, etc. 

What are your goals for the layout?  Do you just want to loop-run a few trains at a time?  Does the prospect of operations interest you?  What type of equipment are you interested in running (e.g. traditional vs. scale)?  Does the layout need to be "kid-friendly," or will it be more centered on adult needs/interests?  Do you have any "must haves" and/or "don't wants?"

Thanks guys for the feedback! Mark - you hit the nail on the head - I was looking at the reversing loop and realized it'd be a lot more fun and utilitarian to have a mirrored reversing loop so I'm not limited to having to reverse a train through the turnouts once it's gone through once

I've also re-measured the room (the first layout above was based on quick measurements I took during the inspection - we're all moved in now :-) ) and it looks like a slightly larger table will fit the space better: 215" x 84".  By making the table another 17" longer, I was able to get my second reversing loop to fit in a bit nicer as well as make my passing sidings longer, to accommodate longer trains:

Joe - good point regarding too much track.  I think with my additional 17" length and longer sidings, the need for spur tracks/yard is less pressing.  I know the missus is excited about the scenery so leaving her some room to go wild will pay dividends.

Max - I thought about including some gradients, but given the size of the layout and my desire to be able to operate trains unattended, I'm going to keep it as two separate levels.  In my past experience, introducing gradients requires greater attention when operating trains, and locomotives without odyssey or speed control can run inconsistently.  I'm trying to minimize the number of turnouts in tunnels, while maximizing my siding length.

FRIDGE56VET - The room itself is pretty large at roughly 23" x 18".  I do have another around-the-wall design that is much larger but upon further reflection, I don't want the trains to take up the entire room, as we'll also be using it for entertaining and occasionally as additional sleeping space for guests.  My goals for the layout are to be able to run multiple trains unattended (4 in the case of the layout above), running primarily scale rolling stock.  The layout does not need to be kid friendly, I'm hoping to make it a somewhat hi-rail layout (making a few concessions for ease of setup/leveraging existing track and accessories

Thanks for the input!

Matt,

Thats great!  When I had a chance to measure my room once our older daughter moved all her stuff out, the room was smaller than preliminary measurements.  Though only by 6" and 8" the other way.

Updating the thread here with latest build update - I completed the benchwork this past weekend using 2x4 pine and birch 1/2" plywood.  The layout dimensions are 215" x 84" which will accommodate the track plan outlined above.  Here are some of my latest pictures:

My next items in the build are as follows:

1. Procure 440 Soundboard homasote
2. Glue down 4'x8' homasote using elmer's glue
3. Install track lighting in ceiling to better illuminate the layout
4. Purchase track, track, and more track - I've already got some of the sections I need in Lionel Fastrack, so the plan is to stick with it. I'm hoping that by using shallow screws into the homasote, it'll quiet it down a fair bit.

I'm hoping to have the three base-level loops operational and sidings setup in-time for Christmas

Looks great! Getting that track will definitely be the fun part if you were to order it all. Astronomical shipping costs. 

Some of the dealers offer free shipping and other discounts for purchases over specific dollar amounts. Many of them have offers of this type during the holiday season. If you have a local train shop I would go there first, if not check the OGR forum sponsors for their offers and holiday sales. 

What about access to the rear of your layout ?

What Dan said,

Make an access hatch in the center of both ends. Scenery items can be on top.

Also, time to consider a scenic backdrop before you get too far along when the track laying begins.

Good idea to add the second reverse loop.

Have to played on the layout with the simulation feature? That will let you know if it does what you want to do.

Looks like progress

   Glueing track down with caulk will be quietest, and isnt too hard to remove with a putty knife. Screws in material like that are more like pins/posts. They stop lateral movement more than hold it down well. Screws into the plywood will telegraph more sound though. Both work, it's just knowing what expect.

You certainly will need a pop-up (or two).  

Moonman posted:

What Dan said,

Make an access hatch in the center of both ends. Scenery items can be on top.

Also, time to consider a scenic backdrop before you get too far along when the track laying begins.

Good idea to add the second reverse loop.

Have to played on the layout with the simulation feature? That will let you know if it does what you want to do.

I totally agree with what Carl wrote!  Although, I think you can never go wrong taking Carl's advice!  Get thinking about a backdrop and access.  You will never regret it!

Thanks for the tips guys! Yeah I actually have two access hatches/pop-ups, it's just difficult to see from the photo above.  The plastic bin is actually sitting on one of them to try and flatten the plywood hatch since it has a bit of a bow to it that can't be removed using screws.  As of right now, the access hatches are just loose, I may look into doing hinges, however I like the idea of the popup, that way I don't have the hinged cover blocking one side or the other.

As for the backdrop, I'm toying around with using an image I've taken using the panorama feature on my phone, I just need to ensure the resolution is high enough given the size

Lastly, regarding the track, I'm going to head to Legacy Station here in Atlanta if I can manage tomorrow. I believe they have a fastrack sale going on right now so hopefully I can take advantage of that!

Matt, Sound like you are well on your way to building a satisfying layout!! I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes and really want to see that panorama backdrop when made and installed!!

Hey guys, keeping the thread updated as a build thread - made some more progress this past week:

• Homasote cut and glued using Elmer's glue
  • I found the homasote at a local lumber yard - Capitol Materials off of Marietta Blvd in Atlanta
  • I cut the homasote outside as per a tip on this forum - great tip, that stuff is super dusty!
• Track purchased ($$$!) and laid (temporarily)
  • Purchased from Legacy Station - big thanks to Paul for his help and patience as I counted out pieces.  Also the 20% Fastrack sale made the final bill a bit more manageable!
  • I accidentally omitted purchasing 8 O-48 curves for my reversing loops, so I'll be headed back to Legacy Station to pick those up to complete the base level track
  • Custom cut two pieces per this forum thread, thanks @Rod Stewart
  • I did notice after following my SCARM plan that the Lionel Fastrack switch lengths are incorrect in the track library, which led to me having to deviate from my track plan.  Fortunately I was able to make it work with my custom cuts, but it was a bit frustrating to have spent all that time on my track plan only to find that it wasn't fully accurate. I plan on providing feedback/input to the SCARM creator to update the Lionel Fastrack library
• Control panel built with various components mounted
  • Lionel ZW power packs (2)
  • DCS TIU
  • DCS WIU
  • Lionel TMCC Command Base
• Power blocks mounted and track wiring begun

Current layout progress (Wife for scale)

I managed to get power to the track using one drop just in time before I had to leave for the airport for a work trip and suprisingly that one drop was enough to get a DCS-equipped locomotive around the outer loop with no issues.

When I get back from my work trip, my goals are:

• Install track lighting on ceiling
• Complete the track wiring
• Wire the Lionel command switches using auxiliary power
• Secure the Lionel Fastrack to the homasote.  I'm considering using some expanding foam insulation to secure the track to help deaden sound even more.
• Start laying out buildings and accessories

Question for the folks following this thread - with my Lionel Fastrack Command Control switches, is it possible to control them via DCS assuming I assign them within TMCC (Cab-1/Command Base)?  Or will I have to use my Cab-1 to control them? I've scanned the DCS documentation and I can see how to add/control TMCC locomotives but I don't see how to control TMCC accessories.

Thanks for all the tips and support!

May you are making great progress!!  I'm sorry I don't know the answer to your question.

Matt, I like your layout and space.   Will be a great layout.

Perhaps its too late in your build, but you might consider removing the "S" curves created within the existing crossovers between loops, with this kind of arrangement:  [BTW, I am using AnyRail which implements Fastrack correctly.   The demo version is free to play around with.]