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Ceiling Layout

B bt430OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
I've got a ceiling layout in my office which consists of 2 loops, an inner and and an outer. Problem is the train on the inner loop is pretty hard to see if you're not standing up. What I'd like to do is figure out some kind of crossover so the trains could switch from the inner to the outer. Any ideas on how I could accomplish that?
I've taken a couple of pictures to give you and idea of what I've got going on.









Here's how it looks sitting down looking up. That inner track is really hard to see.

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SeacoastSeacoastOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

What 3 rail track are you using? You can use switches; example if you use Atlas track you  could have a crossover using switches: one left 072 and one right 072. If you have the space I would go with two #5 Atlas switches.  Using these switches are easier they are not curved but take up allot of space . What size is this layout?

PopsrrPopsrrOGR Forum Member

When you elevate one of the tracks , if you have another Atlas double track bridge you will need to go to 2 single track bridges. I would think you should take a couple of blocks of wood and just place them over the track and then put a section of track on top of the blocks with a car and then sit down and see if you like the view as a test.

B bt430OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Elevating may be the answer if I do it right. Problem in the office previously was I built the ceiling platform hollow the structure acted like an amplifier. It was so loud you really couldn't run the trains much at all it was more a display. I rebuilt it late last year stuffing it with insulation, replacing the pine roadbed with 1/4 plywood with homosote on top of that and then cut up exercise mats for the roadbed. Now I can have the trains running and be working and even be on the phone. I like the idea of elevating as it will give it a very interesting visual but I'd have to come up with an way to sound proof the elevated section as well as figuring out the bridge issues. 
 
Originally Posted by Popsrr:

When you elevate one of the tracks , if you have another Atlas double track bridge you will need to go to 2 single track bridges. I would think you should take a couple of blocks of wood and just place them over the track and then put a section of track on top of the blocks with a car and then sit down and see if you like the view as a test.

 

B bt430OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Thanks it was a good deal of work getting it up there and looking good enough for the wife's approval!!
 
Took a look at the double crossover I was thinking it needed to be double as I run the trains at each other but on separate tracks. I'd have to work out the wiring and a block scheme so I could get the trains switched over without colliding. I was hoping for maybe even an automatic switch over with some relays. Thats is a little complex as it's 2 moves, getting the switch to throw and turning off the power to the other track if the opposing train is close to the crossover. It'll be kinda tricky especially 8 feet in the air, don't want anything to go wrong!  
 
Originally Posted by Seacoast:
Atlas also makes a double crossover switch too. By the way, you have a great looking ceiling layout, I am very impressed with it, nice work.

 

SeacoastSeacoastOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Originally Posted by bt430:
Thanks it was a good deal of work getting it up there and looking good enough for the wife's approval!!
 
Took a look at the double crossover I was thinking it needed to be double as I run the trains at each other but on separate tracks. I'd have to work out the wiring and a block scheme so I could get the trains switched over without colliding. I was hoping for maybe even an automatic switch over with some relays. Thats is a little complex as it's 2 moves, getting the switch to throw and turning off the power to the other track if the opposing train is close to the crossover. It'll be kinda tricky especially 8 feet in the air, don't want anything to go wrong!  
 
Originally Posted by Seacoast:
Atlas also makes a double crossover switch too. By the way, you have a great looking ceiling layout, I am very impressed with it, nice work.

 


Sounds good. Here is my ceiling layout. I don't have any switches.  It has an O gauge inner loop and G scale outer loop. I am going to add command control tmcc/dcs to this at some point.

Last edited by Seacoast
B bt430OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
Here is a quick mock up of how to would look elevated. The first is looking into the room, the second is from the same vantage point but sitting down. Not bad! problem is going to be at the bridge. I can replace the double track truss bridge with a single track one and then add 2 deck girders for the elevated track. I can't quite visualize what that'll look like though. Might really mess up visual there which is one of the focal points of the layout.



Sitting down



Deck girder

Last edited by bt430
B bt430OGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
That is really something!! Great piece of work!!
 
Originally Posted by Seacoast:
Originally Posted by bt430:
 

Sounds good. Here is my ceiling layout. I don't have any switches.  It has an O gauge inner loop and G scale outer loop. I am going to add command control tmcc/dcs to this at some point.

 

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