resources for 72" fastrack layouts

You'd be better served and probably get more responses if you at least drew up a proposed plan on graph paper and asked for ideas or improvements.

I'll give that a shot, though I was thinking more abstractly, like someone saying, "I've had better luck with this formation than that, because fewer derailments."  Nonetheless, I think you're right.

You could always draw up a couple of different plans for members to comment/post on.

What does "not a lot of space" mean?  A 12' x 48' room IS a lot of space, maybe you should be more specific as to the space for the actual layout.

It might help to know if you're willing to buy more plywood?  Or, are you limiting us to suggestions for the wood you already have?  Also, do you plan to do anything (scenery, operations, etc.) other than watch a train or two chase its tail around some sort of convoluted loop?

Chuck

@PRR1950, I am limiting the amount of extra plywood, because my house to small and the hardest part of constructing my layout have been getting in and out of doors while the layout is complete, and navigating around the layout for remedying derailments or maintenance.  I have laid out scenery, including small town houses, train-specific accessories (crossing gates attached to 153ir detector units), and carnival attractions.

@gunrunnerjohn the room looks big with none of the layout, but with the bookshelves on the two long walls, an entryway from the hall and another to the kitchen, suddenly, the navigable area dwindles with 2 4x8 plywood fitures, the frames to hold them, and the sawhorses  (not to mention the dining room table, which can be shoved under half of one of the tables).