Request for feedback on FasTrack layout(s)

If you want to use o72 fastrack your layout would need to be atleast 6 and a half feet wide. O72 refers to the turn being 72 inches wide from center rail to center rail.

First of all, kudos to your wife! Secondly, you've discovered the O-scale dilemma: it would take a lot of space to satisfy your various criteria. Rather than starting with such a long "wish list," what are 2 or 3 criteria that you could be happy with?

In food parlance, your eyes are bigger than your stomach - size wise at least. The stuff you mention is great but 5'x9' is too small.

ive been eyeing the D264 lionel dealer layout, 5x9, 2 train operation although im considering adding some passing loops, add turnouts for a reversing loop, maybe addding an elevated o27

Like @Casper said, 4x8 or 5x9 is way too small for an 072 minimum layout. You could fit 2 loops (048 and 036) on a 5x9 table.

For reference, here's my 9x12 layout with an 048 inner line and an 060 outer line.

Hmmm,..   lots great ideas but as others said space is an issue.   A few years ago I was planning a permanent layout but as the design progressed I encountered that problem, space.   While I might just squeeze it in I wanted to verify everything.  So before proceeding I started laying fastrack on the floor so I could get the visuals and see if everything operated as assumed.  It was rough on the knees (even on carpet) but as I worked out the kinks of the plan it proved the space I had would not be satisfactory.   It's been two years now and everything is still on the floor, the lady of the house is used to avoiding the tracks.  I've pulled everything up a few times making adjustments for things like fixing derailment locations by adding a ten inch straight track between switches ( I found a 5 inch didn't do the trick).  Added larger radius transitions into the loops and divided my yard so longer strings of cars could be stored.  Then again adjusted to accommodate an easier grade to a second level.   Buildings and structures sit on removable flats.

  The point is having a layout on paper can look great but might encounter problems after its built and the redesign then may not fit the benchwork.  For me I kind of enjoy the surprise of long trains appearing out from under my desk, then disappearing behind the TV console, only to pop out again beside the love seat, and as I said, I'm still just testing the design.   Perhaps I need to build a custom house,.. 

@Casper - Thanx for the info; very helpful.

@Mike0289 - O48 and O36 curves would mean that as I consider buying more trains/engine, I would have to go with the smaller engines and build on that until I get enough place for some O72 curves. Also, the image your posted does not show up. Could you repost, please?

@BruceG posted:

First of all, kudos to your wife! Secondly, you've discovered the O-scale dilemma: it would take a lot of space to satisfy your various criteria. Rather than starting with such a long "wish list," what are 2 or 3 criteria that you could be happy with?

Thanx Bruce! She is an amazing woman and wholly behind my new hobby.

Looking at the ultimate wish list closer, here are the three (ok 4) items with the main given that my layout will only have FasTrack
1. A small-compact layout
2. Ability to run 3 trains continuously at a time on the layout
3. Reversing loop(s) to prevent/reduce boredom
4. Elevated and/or graduated trestles

Thanx again!

@Pappu posted:

@Mike0289 - O48 and O36 curves would be mean as I consider buying more trains/engine, I would have to go with the smaller engines and build on that until I get enough place for some O72 curves. Also, the image your posted does not show up. Could you repost, please?

@Pappu my intention wasn't to be mean, just realistic. In your initial post, you said you were "thinking in the 4x8 or 5x9 space" and asked for feedback. 048 is the maximum diameter Fastrack curve you can physically fit in that space.

With a 5x9 space constraint, maybe your home layout needs be more of a twice around single line layout with some industry switching, while you find a local club (or some friends) with a larger layout where you can run your big iron and long trains. Or find/create some more space for a bigger home layout

I'll re-upload the image. (Edit: Done)

@DCtransit posted:

ive been eyeing the D264 lionel dealer layout, 5x9, 2 train operation although im considering adding some passing loops, add turnouts for a reversing loop, maybe addding an elevated o27

Thanx @DCtransit! Yes, that seems like a great plan. I believe I saw some updates to that done by Ken (@Ken-Oscale) and trying to see if I can find that plan for SCARM.
Does the current D264 allow a 2 train run? If so, running an elevated loop would give it a 3 train operation.

consider Atlas track

@Mike0289 posted:

@Pappu my intention wasn't to be mean, just realistic. In your initial post, you said you were "thinking in the 4x8 or 5x9 space" and asked for feedback. 048 is the maximum diameter Fastrack curve you can physically fit in that space.

With a 5x9 space constraint, maybe your home layout needs be more of a twice around single line layout with some industry switching, while you find a local club (or some friends) with a larger layout where you can run your big iron and long trains. Or find/create some more space for a bigger home layout

I'll re-upload the image. (Edit: Done)

Sorry @Mike0289 - that was a typo by me! It should have read as “O48 & O36 curves would mean that….” Ignore the “be”

Great layout!

@Dave Koehler posted:

consider Atlas track

Why Atlas?

@Mike in NC posted:

Hmmm,..   lots great ideas but as others said space is an issue.   A few years ago I was planning a permanent layout but as the design progressed I encountered that problem, space.   While I might just squeeze it in I wanted to verify everything.  So before proceeding I started laying fastrack on the floor so I could get the visuals and see if everything operated as assumed.  It was rough on the knees (even on carpet) but as I worked out the kinks of the plan it proved the space I had would not be satisfactory.   It's been two years now and everything is still on the floor, the lady of the house is used to avoiding the tracks.  I've pulled everything up a few times making adjustments for things like fixing derailment locations by adding a ten inch straight track between switches ( I found a 5 inch didn't do the trick).  Added larger radius transitions into the loops and divided my yard so longer strings of cars could be stored.  Then again adjusted to accommodate an easier grade to a second level.   Buildings and structures sit on removable flats.

  The point is having a layout on paper can look great but might encounter problems after its built and the redesign then may not fit the benchwork.  For me I kind of enjoy the surprise of long trains appearing out from under my desk, then disappearing behind the TV console, only to pop out again beside the love seat, and as I said, I'm still just testing the design.   Perhaps I need to build a custom house,..

Custom house… hmmmm - like that idea!
Good points and my initial plan is to be on the floor until everything works before even considering a table/shelf.

@Pappu posted:

Thanx @DCtransit! Yes, that seems like a great plan. I believe I saw some updates to that done by Ken (@Ken-Oscale) and trying to see if I can find that plan for SCARM.
Does the current D264 allow a 2 train run? If so, running an elevated loop would give it a 3 train operation.

Yes it does allow for 2 train operator. I would try to adjust the elevated risers so you can tie in a reversing loop on that inner loop (or try to convert the elevated section to a reversing loop)

As far as a 3rd elevated loop, in theory you could stack it on top of the outer circular loop, but it may be too much and not look right. (I have been dying to get my hands on the vintage  Marx's elevated trestles that allows you to stack trains and run them one on top of another. Too expensive and might have to make my own

@DCtransit Thanx!!

@Dave Koehler posted:

consider Atlas track

Solid advice.  Mahesh, I started with a relatively large Fastrack layout (14x20, five separate loops).  I used Homosote and foam based on recommendations on the forum. And it was still unbelievably loud. Rail sounds were irrelevant because they were completely drowned out by the noise from the track. I ripped it all out and am selling it off. I replaced it with Atlas and the difference in noise level is night and day.

That’s my experience.  Others on this forum have built fantastic layouts with Fastrack. YMMV.

Best of luck with your new endeavor. Layout design and construction are my favorite parts of the whole process.

@Rider Sandman posted:

Solid advice.  Mahesh, I started with a relatively large Fastrack layout (14x20, five separate loops).  I used Homosote and foam based on recommendations on the forum. And it was still unbelievably loud. Rail sounds were irrelevant because they were completely drowned out by the noise from the track. I ripped it all out and am selling it off. I replaced it with Atlas and the difference in noise level is night and day.

That’s my experience.  Others on this forum have built fantastic layouts with Fastrack. YMMV.

Best of luck with your new endeavor. Layout design and construction are my favorite parts of the whole process.

Thanx @Rider Sandman; this is helpful. At this time, I will continue down the FasTrack path and see where it leads me. Appreciate the wishes too.

@Rider Sandman posted:

I used Homosote and foam based on recommendations on the forum. And it was still unbelievably loud. Rail sounds were irrelevant because they were completely drowned out by the noise from the track. I ripped it all out and am selling it off. I replaced it with Atlas and the difference in noise level is night and day.

My understanding is that the noise from FasTrack is not from the roadbed, but rather from the hollow rails themselves.  That according to someone in a YouTube video I once saw.   Thus the layout base makes little difference.

John