I have a chance to pick up a 5x8 table top. Thinking it may be Ok for a standard gauge layout to drag to meets & shows. Got plenty of 42 & 57 curves and 42 manual switches. Any suggestions for a layout of this size?
thanks
Steve
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Originally Posted by Steve "Papa" Eastman:
I have a chance to pick up a 5x8 table top. Thinking it may be Ok for a standard gauge layout to drag to meets & shows. Got plenty of 42 & 57 curves and 42 manual switches. Any suggestions for a layout of this size?
thanks
Steve
Use all them switches..................... 
I don't have a track library for Standard Gauge but I used O-gauge track pieces which I think are the same footprint. I "custom-made" the 57" curves.
For Standard Gauge curves on this size table, continuous-run track plan options are limited. I don't know if a 45° crossing is available for standard gauge. If someone can give me more information about Standard Gauge track geometry, I would appreciate it!
Added note: Thanks John C. for the link with track specs: http://www.standardgaugetrack.com/
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Originally Posted by Steve "Papa" Eastman:
I have a chance to pick up a 5x8 table top. Thinking it may be Ok for a standard gauge layout to drag to meets & shows. Got plenty of 42 & 57 curves and 42 manual switches. Any suggestions for a layout of this size?
thanks
Steve
Steve - Where can I find 57 inch standard gauge curves? The only sizes in the LHS are 42, 72 and 84. I'm in need of something in between 42 and 72.
USA Track sells Std-57 as well as Std-87, it's better quality than what Lionel/MTH sells and it's made in America, oh, and it's cheaper. Here's the link: http://www.standardgaugetrack.com/
John.
steve...i vote for the figure 8 with passing track "ace" designed...third down from top...
howard...
Thanks John. I second sawdusts selection, the one with the figure 8.
Nice work Ace. Sure, there are 45 and 90 crossings in standard gauge, both vintage and MTH new ones. What you drew works in Standard.
Thanks Ace, some interesting designs. The first two look appealing in that two trains can run at the same time with no monitoring. That may be best when at shows etc. We get distracted to easily and do not pay attention.
Steve
I dredged up this old thread for those who might be considering small Standard-Gauge layouts.
5' x 8' is about the minimum size for more than just a single basic oval of Standard Gauge track. MTH has some selection of Standard Gauge roadbed-style track but not 57" curves to complement the basic 42" curves. A double track oval can be fudged with combinations of MTH 42" and 72" curves ...
I have some old Lionel Standard Gauge track and debating what I might do with it. I have no Standard Gauge trains ... yet ?
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I was messing around on SCARM with an idea from this forum's layout competition a while back. The track is the MTH standard gauge SCARM template. I have some old Lionel SG track, and the two don't quite jive, so this is open to interpretation.
It's the sector table, pivoted at one end, maybe rod-operated, which could be used for display and shuffling cars and locomotives. A lot of visual business would be created, as in "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!" Track height is about 4" above baseline, with one end having a curved bridge and lowered scenery. All switches on one side for manual control.
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