New layout by a noob

Adriatic, any help would be greatly appreciated.  I just downloaded scarm program on my work computer.  I have no idea what I am doing.  At home I have a mac.  I have the program from MTH but its not compatible with the MAC.  I am looking at the picture to get ideas and I am trying to figure out what works and what will not.  But I have to first learn how to use the Scarm program.  Thanks for all of your help!

Here' s posts by Mixey below, he is the author. It seems it is designed for Windows, Anyrail too, but I think you should read this paying note to Moonmans posts in particular, later a post by Mixey about the WINE program. You may be able to use it after all, maybe. Make your needs known by posting a Mac request too.

  In the meantime, if I had some solid dimensions on table size, MTH track dimensions, track you have, wall clearances, max kick-out and overhangs, loco & car lengths, etc. All listed in one place, or close to it. I wouldn't mind helping by "virtual building" and posting for you. It may not be speedy, or exact, because it wont be MTH, but I think we could get it close. Image files, real, or from programs, could be used by you, with "paint"(sorry Im mac illiterate), or similar program, to convey your ideas back to me. I think with some searching you will find a free mac program, but I cant suggest one over another, and I might not be able to run it on a windows/ibm format to help, but its worth a shot. https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...ello-from-the-author

As/if we go on, remember, I don't own plastic type track, nor do I do a lot of switching, or point to point. I'm a postwar Lionel looper, 40+ in conventional, Grandson of a truly serious collector. Some knowledge rubbed off. I don't consider myself an expert at anything, but like it proved when Im wrong(stubborn). I have played with MTH, TMCC, DCC, Digitrax, and more but never owned digital controls. No cab locos, and only a few diesel switchers I seldom run. A GG1, Virg. rectifier and steamers do my bidding. I have some electronics repair experience, but that was work("mouse house pizza/games") it included board, and power supply repair, spanned about 6rys before changing fields. Similar but not the same as train stuff. My schooling in electronics is zilch. I approach things logically, and its always worked out. Ive read at OGF for about 2 yrs, joined in the spring, couldn't resist any longer

An elevated addition, or an offset figure 8 to make one loop larger are my 1st thoughts. Grades for an elevated will require working the throttle more if in conventional. Dark grey you might be able to get the loco reversed by switching, but not the whole train. With a turn out added (yellow) your fig 8 is completed.  

This is what I had posted earlier

Just a note: Your name makes me smile every time I see it. "Mr Magoo" was one of my favorite cartoons growing up, Im a bit jealous too.

oops try this!

oooooohhhhhh, I like that!  I like the idea about having the track connected and adding another two switches!  I guess I need that cross track piece where your able to cross through???? ( I am so ignorant with the terms, so please be patient)  I am thinking about doing this in stages.  The reason is the wife!  What started out for just the kids has turned out to be my mad obsession!  The first thing i would like to do is possibly adding a siding to the track where it comes down the middle, have an O30 switch going left right after the other switch at the loop, and adding track to about the end with a bumper.  I will be able to add more trains to the table and yet keep some usable space for model building and such.

I like the diagram you made, I just dont have the funds to purchase all of the switches needed.  I like your ideas!  I was having some severe issues trying to see what I can and cant do!  I want to build some buildings preferbly a train passenger platform and would ultimately love to have a Intermodal container staging area!  I originally wanted a power plant with working smoke stack but there is nothing for O-scale!  

I really like the ideas you have come up with!  Today is my last day off for awhile so I was thinking of farting around with some stuff.

The nickname has been with me since I was a grade schooler!  I am 42 now and it has yet to leave me.  It all started with an upset coach and who couldn't spit out my last name fast enough so he said MAGOO!  Its been with me since!    Thanks for all of your assistance!  This site is truly amazing!

I have always had Macs and I use Railmodeller.  It works very well and was not expensive at all.  I do not know how much it is today.  It is easy to use and very quick.

http://www.railmodeller.com

Going to give it a shot!  Thanks!!!

My teacher once told us this about computers, Apple = intuitive for the user, IBM(windows) = better user control. I still think it applies today. Just sayin.

The diagram is a bit of a spaghetti bowl, Im just trying to "grease the brain" with ideas. Until you have detailed scenery locked down, it can change in an afternoon.

I don't know your situation with the wife and don't mean to pry, But...... 

How my Gramps got by, till Grandma joined in, was a hobby/shopping fund equally split.

Eventually Grandma laid claim to ALL 1800's trains, and insisted on them being the only trains around the Christmas tree. Find out which ones your wife thinks look cool too, ask for her opinion on some things, if you can do so without lighting the fuse. Make it known when you use wallet constraint. Find someone "married" into trains too, split a couples evening between trains and ?, who knows. A mistake Gramps did make was being too involved with my Dads set when he was a boy, "too fast" "that doesn't go there" etc. The "rivet counting" drove my Dad away from trains. Gramps lightened up for the younger kids, and Grandkids, we are all owners of at least one set, but my Dad never played with any of us. Cheaper trains belonging to the kids themselves aren't a bad idea. Don't forget to ask before using them, if you expect the same

An industrial building with stacks is not too hard, I cant reference one, but they are out there. Seuthe (spelling?) makes smoke units small enough to fit in HO or even smaller things. Larger smoke units w/wo fans can be had new and used. Check this use of smoke units out https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...moking-stacks?page=3

Also remember, hobbies dont have timeclocks. Some guys plans aren't fully realized for years. Like, many years 5-10 or longer. 

Oh nicknames, Im Butch. I looked much like Butch from the Little Rascals, and when young, I would dot your eye, and take your toy, if you didn't share. Not greedy, I liked to share my toys, and would take care of yours much better than my own.

Very well said!  The wife just likes to break my chops!  LOL  I have too many hobbies now or so she says.  I do have to lighten up a bit with the kids.  My 7 year old is very interested but is equally interested in the computer.  My 4 year old likes it as well put lacks the understanding of trains do break!

Yeah, I have moved away from the industrial setting and now figure having a sort of intermodal depot setting that may work.  And your right.  I was in the car driving to the hobby store to buy the necessary stuff to modify the layout and I held back.  I may need to stand still a bit before I can go forward.  Your words and wisdom have been very helpful.  I still may do something soon, just need to play with the ideas in my head!

Thanks for all your help and if any other ideas some way comes around I will be grateful!

Unless the reversing bit is driving you nuts, ignore it for now. Teach/let that 7yr old switchman re-rail things, while the yardmaster watches with his feet up.     

Find a crane, build a crane, *whatevaaa! You keen do wut you wan*. If not now......ask Santa! I think you really need this to satisfy the itch. And the track plan might have to change some to have it. Heck, the way it looks it could be an investment(dont count on it) Find out the measurements of that Lionel one at least. Then you can map out its home(scratch,scratch). It seems like the only buy option anyway. Any modeling skills? Building a working stationary one, really might not be so hard. I'm telling you those scale crane guys use kits that work. Half cinderblocks, +sand, lifted nicely. Most I've seen are tower style, but I bet you can at least find a decent claw assembly to build from, or copy ideas off of.  

*Miley & Eric Cartman both.

Some reading you should do https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...ork-as-yard-trackage

ON IT!

  Thanks!

What engine did you get? The coolest station platform Ive seen is the Knapford station for Thomas the train (Bachmann), but it is ho scale. I wonder if its big enough(wide) to raise it so an O train could fit. Even if only the roof could be used it would be cool. I saw a layout with 4 or six of them de-Thomas-ed. All that glass, WOW! was it sharp.

jj,

I think the suggested bump and go trolley track on an upper level would work out well on your layout.  It can be located above all the other tracks supported with homemade uprights (as in un-$$$)

The MTH bump and go's work great and cost about $50.  I set mine up with a pushbutton so that the kids hit the button and the trolley goes out and back, then stops, waiting for the next button press.

The MTH M&M's trolley is also bump and go and would work on the same PB-operated elevated track... again, only about $50.

Enjoy!

Ed

I am going to try to build my own.  I figured it can't be that hard???

I placed an order for this:

http://mthtrains.com/content/30-20194-1

And then I think its safe to say I am done for awhile but the elevated train option certainly interest's me!!!

Hey I missed this, must have accidently tossed the email notification. Hows it working out for you?

So far so good!  I was able to smooth out some spots on the layout.  I then vacuumed the tracks and cleaned them.  Didn't want any metal residue messing up the works.  I am still on the fence on what i should do with the few sections of track that has a small gap.  Once again, thank you for your ideas and help!

Sorry, but I'm still a little confused on just how big the gaps are. Big enough to put a dime or penny in or just a knife blade?

I would say a dime.  The trains go over them ok.  I am looking at maybe a total of 5 sections of track that are affected.  As a matter of fact the trains go over them fine.  I had some track that were connected fine but the spurs would just stop the train in its tracks when I would run the loco slow.  A quicker pace it would just go right over it.  

Hey is that intermodal loader on the shelf new? Any how I saw this and thought Id give you a heads up https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/lionel-accessories

That does seem pretty large. I only have a 6x8 oval with 1 siding from last year's Christmas layout, but any gaps are much smaller than that, not even knife size. The only problem I had was the frog rails shorting out and a minor adjustment of the siding track seems to have fixed that. I plan on adding more track for this year's layout, so I hope I don't run into a problem.

Yes it is!  I saw another post that someone purchased that and uses that as there primary loader/unloader of containers.  This is the link,https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/the-intermodal-primer-lets-see-some-intermodal-pics?reply=2415514336546417#2415514336546417

I still need to make some scenery and still trying to figure out where I am going to house my intermodal loading/unloading.  Its a pretty cool little tractor!

I am very interested in getting a intermodal crane like the one for sale.  I just heard it doesnt work well with the MTH Railking Husky Stacks?????  

Thanks for looking out!  Like my guardian angel!  

Well, I think my day dreaming has gotten the best of me.  I am thinking of an idea and I need opinions.  The plan is to elevate my passenger train.  Have it running on some trestle.  I figure if there was a way to have it as basic as possible i can keep that running separate from my freight line.  The dream includes and elevated train platform and maybe including a figure 8.  So my question is can this be done on my layout?  How difficult?  And pros and cons would be greatly appreciated!!  

Hey Magoo, I see more new stuff. Is that a diesel filling station?

  I love my no grade, elevated, "warped oval" No concerns but weight for me. My 6.5lb GG1, and other heavy cast trains will bend my newer tubular 0-27 in no time. I didn't lay a support board under the track yet. But my little plastic docksides, "The General", and my switching diesels, love to pull small passenger consists around it. They can even be caught with a milk car, box car, gondola, or tanker delivery in tow behind the passenger cars on occasion. The weight your MTH track supports well by itself? I don't know. Test it out, watch for twisting or bowing, you may be fine. Your trestles will have to fit between your present tracks without being hit. Building a custom, "track directly over track" set of trestles might help, they can span a big gap for better placement. An oval leaves a bigger straight area for a platform, and the fig-8 will eat open area in the middle of the lower deck. To play without track purchase, you could rough-build in cardboard, hardboard, or wood for "testing the look". If it works out, you can keep building off it(if its not cardboard). Good looking homemade "cement" arch and pillar supports are easy to pull off with wood, and textured spray paint. Pillars use less space, and look very modern. I like I-beam spans and "boxes" best, over/under El style makes me drool. Firmly connect all the trestles to the layout! An elbow bump, or even derail into a loose support will twist things up real quick.

If you need another transformer, a low power transformer in conventional will keep it from ever becoming a missile. You are about to add a six inch drop to a possible high speed "big air jump". On multi-level, multi track layouts, train wrecks pile up fast, and furiously, as one train takes out another. Introducing a train from above, produces stuff worthy of Gomez Addams's sweet dreams. 

Have been busy so I missed this, and haven't slept yet so Im not going to attempt too much thought today. Ill get back with ya more after I meditate(sleep). An expansion with a grade huh! Well Lionel risers were at about a 4.5%grade I think, but that's a steep climb. 2%, 2.5%, maybe 3% grade max would be much better. 2% is more prototypical for sure but takes more room. Finding out how well your engines can climb and how much they can pull while climbing could be a useful experiment if you have enough extra track kicking about. 

Even deserts have bridges and elevation changes, so a mountain isn't a necessity. Tons of trees and brush make great "fillers" on a perfectly flat layout (watch your dollar stores around X-mas for low buck treasures). A mild elevation along the back will add a lot of depth visually too. Even if its a 1/2 inch, it will probably show more than you expected. Buy popsicles, or order some Oriental food (for the sticks of course.... Ok, maybe not just for the sticks)  and experiment with riser placement.

 I experienced bad vertigo for the first time, the evening before last, while on a paved road bridge going over some RR tracks near me. I was riding my bike and decided to see what the view was like at the top while "on foot" instead of driving in a car. Once clear of the trees, and bushes lining the sides of the road, and the 10 foot wide sidewalk, I had a good view. But I couldn't switch my focus, from high to low and then back again, quickly enough to still ride. I had to walk up and back down. Only time I felt like that before was on the Chicago Skyway. Very steep, and too easy to see through. Funny.. effects of heights normally aren't an issue at all for me. I used to climb maintenance ladders twice that height carrying tools, and have worked on the edge of fourteen story roofs no problem! Riding a bike on a paved 50ft bridge?... Oops..problem!

Very Cool Wall Graphics by Adriatic, well done...... Congratulations..... 

I just posted in the "what did you do to your layout" thread.  I have added the MTH o-72 WYE switch siding spur.  The reason for this is when I get my two new locomotives back from MTH after some repairs I would like to have the option of parking them on the layout.  So that would make three locomotives on a 4x8 layout.  Getting a little cramped.  Still thinking about adding the depth and length to the layout.  I still want to utilize my Lionel M-7 passenger train.  I know expanding the layout only two feet may not help.  It will however add some depth if I decide to pull the trigger and get it elevated two inches and elevate the back portion of the track with a nice gradual increase in pitch.  I am finding myself really enjoy doing new things to the layout and then saying the fruits of my labor when I work the DCS and everything works perfectly.  I still may add a small siding on the side of where the power plant is located.  this is way everything has a home sort to speak.  Would like to figure out having the expansion and incorporating my M7.  After surviving some labor issues at work I may have some funds to make this happen. I have plenty of Real-trax so adding a switch and buying lumber is the only outlay.  We shall see.  Truly enjoying this hobby.

Didn't get a mail alert for this thread for the second time and my last post here is missing!?!?...anyhow.. adding even inches can make a big difference. Whether its scenery, another siding, or added length to sidings you have. Im planning removable table end leaves, mounted like a shelf, so I can swap siding scenes modularly.