New Location 13 x 11

CONSIDER A WALK-IN, MULTI LEVEL PLAN, MAYBE 40" FROM FLOOR. KEEP AREAS WITHIN REACH FOR MODELING & MAINTENANCE. TRY 054 CURVES AS A MINIMUM. THATS A GREAT SIZE, AND CAN BE QUITE NICE WITH A LITTLE THOUGHT AND PLANNING. CONGRATS & GOOD LUCK

Right on Clifford. That is sound advice and really falls in line with what I was hoping to do. I have attached a layout design I have in SCARM along with a couple of jpgs. I am hoping for some tips and assistance with wiring and layout. Already I an considering modifying the layout to allow for longer consists. I think it would be cool to see a long run passing through the line. That is difficult given the work area. I am hoping to go dcs but for now am conventional. Is there a difference in wiring or can I wire it in a way to fit both. Currently I am using a CW80 to power the entire layout which I get the impression is really asking alot. I am also concerned with current flow with the multitude of swithes in the center. I think I have it wired wrong. In essence of brevity, feedback welcome.

Thanks Russel,

Suppose I should look into a terminal block. I am currently on the floor. I bought a bulk of realtrax and while its not my favorite, it seems to work and I think if I can get some 30inch straights to cut down on segments and improve signal would be good. I really want to utilize the wider curves and have posted in the WTB. I just need to figure out how to implement them. I thought of making large inner loops around the stock yard on the left and maybe come up with something on the right side. The switch tracks in the center are throwing me current wise. I am not sure the current is crossing up or how to implement "Blocks" I have some of the split center rail pieces from the bulk I bought but have never used them. I have read some of the guide at least what I could without actually having a TIU unit which is sad. Currently looking on eb for one and hoping to get a good deal. I kinda have started "acquiring" faster than my CFO is "budgeting". Guess I am just anxious to get it running. I may have another go at a slightly altered plan that has broader wider sweeps. I too like the flow on a nice smooth curve with good bit of consist, but have to figure out how to acheive it in such a small space. The good new is that the right side is an exterior wall.

Russell

I have been watching Eric of Ericstrains on youtube and I really would like to mimic that setup. He uses lionel 180 bricks to his tiu. Not sure thats the best but it appears his experience and layout is vastly greater than mine and if that setup can work for him then its sure to run mine with no trouble. He has a layout spanning 4 rooms and runs some fairly large beasts.  He uses 4 180s through the tiu w/ a tmcc control brick for his legacy engines. (utube ericstrains blog 18). So i figure a couple 180s might be plenty for me.

Jace,
I agree with Russel that I like your layout plan and second his concern about the S curves especially in a room the size of yours.  Mine is 12 x 12, so I have similar planning concerns.  I should say, it is mine as soon as our college senior leaves home for good. =)  I like your walkin plan as opposed to a big wide table.  At my age, I don't want to be crawling around to get to pop up access holes. I am fairly new to O, having modeled in HO since the late 1960's, so I am learning too about wiring and control.  I will look forward to seeing how it progresses for you.

Each block is 1 ft.  Original layout.  About 12' X 12' 6"

Modified with an addition to the next room.  TT/RH

Camera walk around.

One more addition.

Thanks Mark,

Yep I am already looking at revamping the layout by having the innermost loop not join the inside line but make a long pass and come back around the top. I am shifting the switch tracks to the outside of the plan as much as possible and using the straight as part of the switch and the curve as the turn. This will hopefully ease the s curve action. I also have two twin portals I am trying to incorporate in the same mountain tunnel and lay use that inner line as a stock loop. A bit un-prototypical, but as I say,  I am still toying with it. I purchased some used 054s and some 30inch straight that may free up some 10s to go crazy with ideas. This is like a virus! lol I am ok with the excess track for now as I attempt to shift away from the 031 curves as much as possible.

Mike,

I have seen you layout before in your threads. I was actually thinking of that type of extension. Making use of a closet, but my closet was on the wrong end to incorporate it and it would have been filled with the "stuff" that was originally in the room before the choo choos took over. Fortunately, I was given a bigger room to work with if only slightly. I like the action in yours allowing two seperate loops. I am still cautious about having 2 engines on the same line until my skills and knowledge improve. Heck I still have yet to hook up the tiu because of the wiring(terminal block on order) and power(only CW180 since I blew the farm on tiu and track) May have to wait until the wallets sores have healed or at least scabbed over.

HELLO AGAIN, YOU ARE STARTING TO GET A FEEL FOR THINGS, AND YOUR MAKING ALTERATIONS THAT MAKE SENSE. CONSIDER HIDING A GOOD PORTION OF THE LOWER LINE IN TUNNELS, AND MAYBE ADD A GORGE OR WATERFALL DOWN A FOOT +OR- FROM THE LOWER TRACK TO ADD DEPTH AND BREAK UP THE TABLETOP, ILL SEND YOU PHOTOS OF MY LAYOUT SOON AND A TRACK PLAN IF YOUR INTERESTED. WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A REMODEL , AND I HAVE BEEN REALLY BUSY. KEEP THE GRADES TO A MAX OF 3.5%, AS STRAIGHT AS POSSIBLE OR AS WIDE RADIUS AS POSSIBLE. THIS MAY BE DIFFICULT, BUT IF YOU WANT TO RUN LONG CONSISTS RELIABLY, IT MUST BE CONSIDERED. GOOD LUCK, SINCERELY CLIFFORD