Goodbye theater, hello layout.

Figured out how to export a picture of it so here it is in case any of you do not use anyrail...

David, I commend you with the plan to replace the home theater with a layout.  It's looks like you have a good basic start for a plan.  Having come from HO myself, always bear in mind everything takes a lot more space than you are used to.  It has been over 8 years, but I am still surprised at times how much space O gauge takes.  It is still worth it to me.

Sounds like you are having fun, which is the important thing.  Just remember you'll be potentially buying future track and control items on the second hand market, as MTH has announced that it is going out of business in six months or so.   That's not necessarily a problem, but you should be aware of the possibility if you are not, as a newbie.

I'm makin' the popcorn..... (pun intended)

Looking forward to the progress David. That will be a great space to let your BigBoy stretch it's legs.

Bob

Just for S&G’s ...see what it looks like, with 081 minimus if space permits, .....my outside main is O81 & O90 and all those big split frames like your Big Boy look right at home on those curves, ....even on O72, they can start to look silly, especially in spots where the curves double back on themselves, .....just giving some food for thought, ...looks like you’re off to a good start, ....hope you don’t mind the suggestions, but if you’re just in the planning stages, now is good time to see just how far the space permits the largest, and most gentle realistic looking curves you can, .....heck, go 100 if it allows!!...21X21 ain’t no slouch of a space,.....and if you can blow out to 81 or 90, that might leave inner room for a second main of O72, ....now your diesels will look at home and be really happy,...

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

Just for S&G’s ...see what it looks like, with 081 minimus if space permits, .....my outside main is O81 & O90 and all those big split frames like your Big Boy look right at home on those curves, ....even on O72, they can start to look silly, especially in spots where the curves double back on themselves, .....just giving some food for thought, ...looks like you’re off to a good start, ....hope you don’t mind the suggestions, but if you’re just in the planning stages, now is good time to see just how far the space permits the largest, and most gentle realistic looking curves you can, .....heck, go 100 if it allows!!...21X21 ain’t no slouch of a space,.....and if you can blow out to 81 or 90, that might leave inner room for a second main of O72, ....now your diesels will look at home and be really happy,...

Pat

This is actually what I was thinking last night but glad to hear someone say it as well. I drew everything with O-72 but quickly figured out it will not follow itself through a curve so I’ll probably just start the drawing over with O-81 and see where I end up.

in anyrail, I have most of it somewhat figured out except connecting it all at the end. Meaning I drew the entire loop in about a half hour and then spent the next hour trying to get the two ends to join. I was moving things everywhere and adding and removing different size pieces. In the end, I never did get it perfect. Is there some trick to joining the open ends or is it just an acquired skill?

@Landsteiner posted:

Sounds like you are having fun, which is the important thing.  Just remember you'll be potentially buying future track and control items on the second hand market, as MTH has announced that it is going out of business in six months or so.   That's not necessarily a problem, but you should be aware of the possibility if you are not, as a newbie.

I’m aware they are finished but hoping someone somehow keeps it going. Had read once there was a plan in place to have the employees take over but who knows. I know I had one heck of a time finding a new TIU and remote.

@harmonyards posted:

Just for S&G’s ...see what it looks like, with 081 minimus if space permits, .....my outside main is O81 & O90 and all those big split frames like your Big Boy look right at home on those curves, ....even on O72, they can start to look silly, especially in spots where the curves double back on themselves, .....just giving some food for thought, ...looks like you’re off to a good start, ....hope you don’t mind the suggestions, but if you’re just in the planning stages, now is good time to see just how far the space permits the largest, and most gentle realistic looking curves you can, .....heck, go 100 if it allows!!...21X21 ain’t no slouch of a space,.....and if you can blow out to 81 or 90, that might leave inner room for a second main of O72, ....now your diesels will look at home and be really happy,...

Pat

David I agree with Pat I have the MTH Premier Class A and see the difference between 072 and the wider curves 080, 089 on my layout go wider where ever you can. It will be worth it.  Looks good so far. Will be fun to watch the progress.

I have to agree with the wider curves, I also have a lot of "big iron" including the VL-BB, several Challengers, and other scale articulated locomotives.  I have a smaller space than you do, and while I have some O72 curves, most of my curves I tried to to larger, up to around 99" diameter. Mine is a folded dogbone on two levels.

Since you have AnyRail, I attached the plan so you can take a look.

John's Layout 2020-12-27.any

The 3D image of the layout.

A couple of shots of the current progress.  Most of the main level track is down and up the grade on the right.  The second level will be over the first level loops in the foreground, I have to get all the wiring completed for the main level before putting that back on.

What the second level will be when I put it back together, hopefully in a couple of weeks.  It's fabricated, just had to remove it to finish track work on the main level.

Incredible.

Maybe an incredible concept, I'm hoping to make it reality really soon now.  Drilling holes and dropping track power wires today.

Use the widest curves possible.  Can you fit in 0120?  60" radius?  When you talk Big Boy you are looking at something that will clear off anything even near the right of way outside of the curves.

I have 0120 and 0144 curves but the best looking articulateds I have are the Lionel 2-6-6-2 steamers shorties.

On an O72 curve, the VL-BB will take out anything within 3" of the centerline on the curve.  The MTH scale BB has an even bigger reach, probably at least 3.25" from the centerline.  We got my VL-BB running on the club layout, and then I brought the MTH BB, it promptly rammed a tunnel entrance and stopped!

Well my eyes won't let me do anymore tonight (long story involving optic neuritis) but I'm learning at a geometric rate (great movie reference).

I got the overall flow more dialed in but I still need to figure out how to add inclines. I also currently have no switches or any type of a yard.

Got the theater dismantled today and inventoried so my son can start selling it all off. I honestly can't believe how much wire was used for both power and speakers (was dolby 7.1 with 3 18" subs powered from pro audio amps).

Built the first section today just for nostalgia. The rear seats of the theater sat on top of an old 4x8 ho table from years and years ago. Cut it straight down the middle and put it in the upper left corner so i now have 2x8 on one wall and 2x10 on the other. Completely useless at this point but it kind of made this "official". The dogs didn't quite know what to think of me using a circular saw in the house while wearing pajamas.

Anyways, here's where I'm at. Feel free to comment whether positive or negative. I'm happily open to suggestions. Near the chimney a hill will start for the outer 2 tracks and continue along the entire upper wall and along the left before dropping down in the lower loop. All outside curves are 82 and all inside are 72.

I like what you have put down so far!  What are your plans for sidings, crossovers, a yard, or engine facility??  You have room for a lot, but you may want to just tackle the basics and add on later.

Sorry, Mark, but I've got to disagree with you.  Setting something up as a "first try" without careful planning will result in much tearing out and re-laying later on when other items wanted or needed require adjustments.  Better to develop a concept for the layout (e.g. do you just want to watch trains run in circles no matter how big or convoluted those circles are, or do you want to "operate" a model railroad with freight and/or passenger movements?) and then "plan" how you are going to fit that concept into your available space.  Another concept to consider is whether or not you plan to model a particular prototype or will you just run what you like?  This process is called "givens and druthers," and if you search this concept you will find lists of other things you need to consider in planning.

Dave, before doing anything more, please look at books and magazine for track planning info.  I would highly recommend Track Planning for Realistic Operation as good reading, and then I would recommend looking at track plans (and related stories) developed by John Armstrong, John Allen, Byron Henderson and Frank Ellison.  The NMRA also sponsors a Layout Design SIG which might have useful info if you choose to sign up.

Good luck and happy building!

Chuck

I have to agree with Chuck here.  I'd do some more thinking on what you want to do with your RR.  Ripping up track after laying it is super annoying, I'd avoid that if you can.

Specifically, what kind of operations do you envision?  Do you want multiple trains running at the same time?  How about yard space?  Industries and/or operating accessories?  What scenery do you plan on in the long run.

I confess I don't have the optimum layout, I'm hardly a seasoned large layout builder, but I think I'm going to end up with something I'll be happy operating on.

Appreciate the feedback. I’m not entirely sure I can accurately answer these questions but I’ll try even if it’s just to get myself thinking more. Maybe I’m crazy and this is blasphemy but I don’t really care about prototypical operation or switching. Maybe because my career is in railroading and I see that every day? Who knows. I do want some storage and places to store specific trains, like let’s say my Alaska F40 with 8 coach cars.

I want to be able to run multiple trains at once but I’m more interested in having a “certain” train on the layout than I am building it in a yard. I also have no interest in “servicing” any industries. Maybe that will get boring quick and I’ll hate myself but it’s what I see in my mind when I envision this.

The one constant in model railroading is... It's your RailRoad! As long as it makes you happy, you've accomplished the goal of model railroading!