New member, new project, Lionel fastrack 2 trains LionChief Santa Fe & pre ‘55 legacy freight.

All feasible and there are a lot of really smart guys here to help you.

Have you decided upon a brand/type of track? The different diameters may change your possibilities.

Lionel fastrack 

I pick up some trial software for my iMac, the freeware/trial version, and came up with rough version of what I would like to start with.  Flying by the seat of my pants here so any comments would be appreciated.

I would put another switch to enable you to cross back over to the other track without needing to back up.

Have fun.

@Jack B Hi, welcome, I am a pretty brand new member here myself and our situation sounds a pretty similar. I just setup my first Fastrack layout on the floor of my basement so far and I am also adding a freight train from the same time period. I am a software engineer myself. I am also trying to squeeze my layout onto a 4x8 sheet of plywood although I my current layout is a few inches over sized on the width at 4ft 4 inches wide by about 7 and a half feet long. all fast track in what I am calling a split level figure eight.

My since my layout will also have to accommodate a new Lionel M7 LIRR LionChief Bluetooth remote train I am forced to use no less then an O36 fastrack curve (36 inches in diameter if you connected them in a circle.) see link for an explanation of Lionel curves. https://www.lionelstore.com/curve

your postwar set would be perfectly will be fine with the O-31 inner loop that you selected in your diagram I'm sure. But I am not sure about the new LionChief set, Check the minimum curve on it. That is not a bad start at all though, the layout I made was a bit more flying blind. Weather or not it was a good idea I followed the diagram at the bottom of this Lionel layout suggestions PDF which also helped me pick which track elements I liked. https://lionel-uploads.s3.amaz...ts/ftLayouts.pdf?v=1

At the advice of my local train store (Trainland) I picked up an MTH Z-1000 transformer to run my old trains and I have to say it seems pretty great to me and I may even recommend it to you myself.

I will be running trains from 1946 and 1954. I swear it sounds like we are almost twins lol.

I will add some pictures of the layout I made so far. Though I must say I am not done with it and will likely add back in a lower level oval with another remote controlled switch.

As a computer person yourself I'm sure you might like to hear that I just got to work on hacking the bluetooth remotes that come with the LionChief remotes and I plan on making a gateway that allows you to automate the controls of those trains, as well as add supervisor controls, speed limits and such. I am also working on a DIY solution to automate the remote switches as well, (Switch track control is technically already possible with TMCC controllers but I do not own one and am looking to avoid them for now since my main trains do not even have TMCC capability) For more on my bluetooth hacking adventures see my post here So far I hacked the horn to play the start of Disney's Wish Upon a Star, that was on Saturday, So I am just getting started.

I second @GVDobler's idea to add a second switch if you do the double loops, that way you don't have to back the train out of the loop each time.

The funniest part is that we are both trying to combine LionChief Engines and Postwar trains. And we both want automation. Now the good news is that the LC engine can receive the power it needs with the old school AC transformers, running two trains at once though will be tricky without independent loops to run in. The LC engine won't move in sync with the postwar stuff since it is bluetooth control only, and the LC will lose power below a certain level. The solution I am trying to work on right now is an upgrade board to add LionChief control to a postwar engine. (after a few tweaks to the guts of the originals of course).

Here is my current fast track layout

GVDobler posted:

I would put another switch to enable you to cross back over to the other track without needing to back up.

Have fun.

USN ‘66-‘70

Thanks for the comments.  I bit the bullet and bought the pro version of RailModller for my iMac.  Added double switches for the two loops and a siding off the inside loop.  Played a bit with the 3D/Landscape features and added a tunnel to the outer loop.

I got to thinking about the LionChief and Post war comments and perhaps it would be best, in the near term, to add an upper level loop for the lionChief Santa Fe then I would have more automation options on lower loop/sidings with the older freight and possibly pick up an older freight Diesel engine to the mix.

Next will be looking at creating control blocks and signals on the lower loops and start shopping around for some Lionel animated accessories to keep the grandson's attention peeked and stress my abilities a bit.

Suggestions on a table top.  ie.  Felt, plywood, foam, paint/flocking, plaster of Paris/plaster clothe, etc.  Since this layout my end up moving I am thinking about creating 4x4 sections and maybe 2x4 or 2x8 add on's.  It may make life easier down the road.

Wiring guides for control blocks and signals and switches.  

I need to work in a fitting place for the reefer car in the attached picture, I have had it sitting on the shelf for quite a few years waiting for a home.  (Yes it's a family thing, it was my grand dad's business).

I think the modules are a good idea, especially if you plan to ever move the layout. Since it looks like you are using Fastrack, I would suggest a good grade of smooth, solid plywood at least 1/2" thick for the tops of your modules. Then cover the plywood with something like padded indoor/outdoor carpet to help reduce noise.  

And that's pretty neat that you have a refer car with the name of your grandfather's business on it. 

He'll need two different power sources, one fixed and one variable, if he wants independent control of two trains.  While the :C engine may to fine on either source (with the restriction mentioned by Ryan) the LW engine will take-off like a rocket if it ever gets on track powered by the fixed voltage from the LC power source.

A transformer like the Lionel GW-180 which can supply both a variable and constant voltage.  A pair of DPST switches can be used to select the appropriate power source for each loop/block of track.

Jan

You want to isolate the inner and outer loops. With FasTrack, put a 6-12073 between each of the switches on the crossover. On the back of this piece of track you'll see a jumper wire. You'll want to pull that.

Think I finally got the basic (phase 1, 2, & 3) layout 4 1/2 x 8 seems to work (may have to go out to 5 instead of 4 1/2).  For now will be running two trains and maybe adding another engine for the yard work.  My next question is, where to put the blocks 1. between the switches to separate the two lower loops,  2. where else would be appropriate?  I'm thinking tunnel entrance and ?

As a foundation to build up for the tunnels I was thinking "foam board layers" but I'm not sure if that would be strong enough for the top to support the elevated track loop on each end.

I would isolate the two loops of track between the cross over switches as previously described and also isolate each yard track or siding so I could park engines or lighted cars there and turn off the power to them while they are not in use.  

Would it be better to do an on/off type block (toggle switch) on the siding instead of a standard block like the between the crossover switches?

Yes, that's what I was thinking, but certainly didn't type out very well...  

Add switches to all the yard tracks, sidings, spurs etc. so you could turn off the power to anything not in use. Conventional engines will need that for sure, if you plan to ever park any of those. All you need to switch off is the center rail so a single on-off switch for each one will work just fine.

I used 10 amp switches on my layout as I have 10 amp bricks powering the layout.     

After following a number of threads on this site I decided to bite the bullet and purchase SCARM and VMware fusion for my Mac.  Took a little effort to get my old PC converted to a virtual image but VMware support was great and Milen @ SCARM was as well so everything is now working great. After a little more effort on my part I am now somewhat proficient with SCARM and after about a weeks worth of effort I have come up with a new layout plan that I think will work for us.  (Things have seriously changed since my days in model railroading)

I have decided on a 5x10 platform (two 5x5 modules connected) with three loops.  My next challenge is to setup blocks to control the bypass and crossovers that can be automated with digital and analog logic without having to take out a second mortgage.  Sidings should be fairly straight forward with an uncoupler and power switch and accessory power.  Attached are a couple of layout snapshots and simulator recordings.

Any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Also if anyone has some favorite books on wiring an automating a layout I'm wide open to suggestions.

Wiring Your Toy Train Layout by Peter Riddle is one wiring book I liked over a couple of others I've read. It covers a lot of things and gives you a pretty good basic idea of how things are wired. It's an easy read too, at least I thought it was. I like Peter Riddle's writing, easy to read and understandable, IMO.