First crack at this...

It’s a plan, Laker!

Laker 80:

Fortunately, one can place a lot of track in an "L" layout. The L extension is a perfect location for a yard; the switches provide access to stub tracks for "cars in waiting" that can quickly be called into service; the switching maneuvers are part of the fun of creating various consists -- freight, passenger, or unit trains -- without having to gather cars not at rest on the platform for making-up a train. The longer the stub sidings, the better!

Other OGR FORUM hobbyists have already contributed concepts to your emerging layout; I endorse reversing loops, passing sidings for action accessories, and trackage for two-train operation!

My L-shaped layout (a photo derived from ANYRAIL software is attached) has three switched tracks in the yard; dedicated to Lionel THOMAS series trains. They are equipped with LionChief for use by my two great grandsons. Although my layout is bigger than what you are working with, the underlying fundamentals are somewhat similar.

Consider the process of experimenting with track plans a contribution to your education - and your son. Trial and error worked out pretty well for Thomas Edison and other inventors! I learned that lesson after initially re-inventing my original track plan based on Lionel tubular track with O31 curves and switches to Lionel O42 tubular track and switches. A much better plan! If space allowed, I would have used Lionel O48 FasTrak and switches, but the train room wasn't wide enough for that.

Carry on ...

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394
mottlerm@gmail.com

@BurkusCircus52 posted:

Ken, what if you just moved the yard passing siding over so that it connected with the top of the 90-crossover loop? Kinda like a reflection of the connection on the other side?

Great catch Burkus!!  Adds 10" to each yard spur.

This next image highlights the track sections wider than O36:  blue/violet is O48, and the green is an O60 turnout with the two 1-3/8" sections with roadbed trimmed that come with the O60 turnout.

If I was building this myself, I would probably do this version, and imagine that the outside perimeter route is a connecting railroad that I can interchange with.

Then, if I decide to expand off either end, I already have one turnout in place, so less work to add just one more turnout.

Everyone likes a tunnel and a river, perhaps this works:

Just for fun, decorating with some structures and trees:

@Ken-Oscale posted:

With this design, you can think about future expansion off the 4x6, using two O48 turnouts (which are drop-in replacements for one section of O48 curve.   The spurs might be too small for any industry.

Ken those layouts are fantastic! I’m going to slowly build towards that set up. I love the action!

So I have the two tables joined and I got a few more switches. Covid has really dented our sales but I’m still thankful I’m able to pick away at it every month. I’m going to run some blue painters tape over the sound board and paint it to match since the cut was pretty sloppy. I’ll start hiding some wires this week. I was going to do that but I just played with it when the kids wanted to and ran it by myself when they were sleeping. 

Got an awesome 40th birthday/Father’s Day gift! My wife snooped my history and saw I kept looking at this Lionchief Hudson (I love colorful locomotives) and I couldn’t be happier! Our whole basement smells like pine scented smoke. I told my wife it’s yankee candles for men. 😆 

I’m very happy with this thing. It’s nicely detailed and it’s got some great sound and smoke effects. The tender came with some bent trucks (axle housting) but they bent back easily and haven’t seemed to be off issue.

Your wife knows what t pick!!  I see two happy children there admiring the trains too!  Our girls were about that age when I was 40.  Today, they and their husbands stopped by, but we didn't run trains.  None of them have much interest other than respecting my interest.

Yankee Candles of Men is a great analogy!!

Looks great but how are you going to reach the far corner when needed?  67.2" is a long reach.

@wild mary posted:

Looks great but how are you going to reach the far corner when needed?  67.2" is a long reach.

There is a little room on the side. Our sprinkler panel is in that corner so I had to make access for that too. 

@Mark Boyce posted:

Your wife knows what t pick!!  I see two happy children there admiring the trains too!  Our girls were about that age when I was 40.  Today, they and their husbands stopped by, but we didn't run trains.  None of them have much interest other than respecting my interest.

Yankee Candles of Men is a great analogy!!

As long as they enjoy it with me for a few years I'll be happy.

Cleaned it up a bit. I taped the edge and painted it last night so I could put it back together this morning before work so the kids could use it.
I also hid some of the wires for the switches. I’m going to get under there and secure the wires with some fasteners. 
I’m kind of stuck with progression until I save up for a few more switches. I think I’ll try my hand at adding some scenery, painting the table different colors, and adding some grades to the track.

Looks great 

What are some nice tower and light accessories? I was looking at yard lights, a rotary beacon, and a tower. Are there any years or models that are better than others or is most of it the same?

I added a couple switches and some menards & MTH buildings. With the siding I can run the RS3 while my son pulls freight with the Hudson. The key is using the speed limiter in the Lionchief app so he doesn’t crash into me before I get off the main 😆

I have a couple more buildings coming and I’m going to try painting or adding streets with the premade roads.

I’d like to add my tube track and make an elevated rail in the near future but I want to get most of my buildings in so I have a general idea of how to run it. I was going to try to integrate it into the main level but I may not have the space so it’ll most likely be separate. I’m thinking just a loop around the town section. I’d like to have it running down a street between some taller buildings.

It’s looking great!  I’m glad your son is having fun with you!

@Mark Boyce

It’s looking great!  I’m glad your son is having fun with you!

It’s fun! We’re making noise and making smoke

I had an awful day at work yesterday. I came home and ran the trains with my kids and had a great night. Good stuff...