The 1952 Lionel Catalog layout, 6 1/2' by 11 1/2'

Now for something completely different.  Well, not really.  I made this effort with two goals, I wanted to know if I could make the outside perimeter minimum O48 (improved appearance and grace, and O42 equipment), and I wanted to see if I could improve access and reach into the interior of the layout, knowing that for homes and for most of its time, the layout is likely to be up against a wall or in a corner.

So I reworked and rotated the layout.  It was an ugly process, but the result is interesting.

One person might be able to operate inside the triangle with the lift-out bridges in place, but it would be tight.

If everything was 036 FasTrack could it be reduces to 5’6 x 10’

@Prewarrkt posted:

If everything was 036 FasTrack could it be reduces to 5’6 x 10’

No, the curvature of the outside perimeter doesn't add anything to the width or length.  Removing the outside perimeter would do that, but that is a different layout then.  The redo above actually shrunk the layout by 2", from 6'6"by11'6" to slightly smaller 6'4"by11'6".

A more conventional way to connect two loops would shrink the layout, this one is unusual in the way the loops connect (and interesting).  I have published other layouts on the forum that connect two loops in different configurations, that are either narrower or shorter than this one.

Here is a smaller layout that connects two loops together to show what I mean, only 5'x9':

Here is another different idea, 5'x10' connecting two loops with return loops and crossings:

One more, just because, this one is 5'x12'.  The INSIDE route is O44 compound (running O42) with a wider compound route outside:

Here is the 4x10 I am running now:

Thanks they all look great. Just starting to think about a layout for the holidays. 

This version has more "efficient" cross-overs between the O48 and O36 routes.  The layout is a bit shorter at 11'4" long, and still 6'4" wide.

The passing track is O48 (O48 is Blue).

Doesn't look much like the original "toy train" style layout, but is better in many ways.  But I can understand if someone prefers the earlier style in 6'6" by 11'6"  - personal choice:

Or even the O31 FasTrack close to the actual catalog layout:

With more generous borders and back to 6'6" by 11'6":

Updated with two mountains and tunnels.

Minimum track center spacing has been carefully evaluated, at the 4.5" spacing used in Atlas-O track diameters (9" diameter steps).

Trying some structures and roads:

Trying some trees, a stream, and exposed rock faces.  I am not an artist by training, so getting this right for a vertical view of exposed rock is debatable: those small slivers actually have texture that looks like a rock face, but I haven't figured out how to bring out the contrast and coloring.

I replaced the FasTrack lift-out bridges with two Atlas-O bridges, each a single section,  of 40", and the other slightly less at 39 7/16" (due to the fit with FasTrack).

I might cut four 10" sections of Fastrack to make a better fit approaching the bridges, and to give a square end to the track section for the bridge to butt-up against.   And make each bridge section exactly 40".

For scale, that is about an 11 year-old kid operating trains in the center, using the Lionel Universal Remote.

The above "mature and modern" track plan departed significantly from the original design vision of the catalog plan.  So I felt like taking a few minutes to re-look at an earlier plan that still looks like the original design.

This updated and modernized version of the track plan has these enhancements over the original:

1. O31 FasTrack Minimum
2. O36 FasTrack for the outside loop and passing track (BLUE) (and the connecting RR has two O60 turnouts).
3. The addition of the 2nd cross-over creates a passing track
4. The addition of the figure-8 and crossing allows train reversing and train routing fun
5. Added a 3-track mini-yard, with a switch lead that does not interfere with running the inside loop (a third operator working the yard)
6. The top spur was extended to make a connection with another RR with O60 turnouts (or for future expansion), adding operating purpose and rational.  This spur can also stage a third train, to take turns with two other trains.
7. Construct as a table with legs on rolling wheels, to pull away from the wall for 360-degree access.
8. This two-train layout has options for three trains with the top O60 staging track, and a fourth train standing on the passing track.  A switcher could be positioned in the yard, for five locos.  Perhaps three operators.

 Still 6.5x11.5 as the original plan.  Unless pulled away from the wall for 360-degree access, it has problems with reach and access.  This size can be made a single table on rolling legs, to help with that problem,  The very interior is a long reach, even with 360-degree access.

The mini-yard can be made four tracks:

The yard can hold 11 10" cars, or more with some smaller cars.

Additional industry spurs can be added in a number of places.

A couple more additions:

With the new Passenger Boarding Track, the layout can host FIVE trains!:  One operating on each loop, the Connecting RR Spur staging, the passing track, and the Passenger Boarding Track.   Plus a switcher operating the yard, for six locos and three operators.

Checking the 2020 Lionel Catalog, most LionChief trains sets are O31.  Those with the Tier 4 locos require O36.  There are some O27 sets as well.

Maybe a stream through here, with some industries and a road:

With some trees and a tiny stream:

With some bridges and parking/roads:

 Experimenting with the coloring of ballast, and brightness and contrast.

After some optimization:  section count reduction, curve smoothing, 3 yard tracks extended.

By swapping two O31 yard turnouts with O36, a better yard resulted, with longer tracks, and a fifth track.  I used the top short track for steam loco service.   The straight section of the O31 turnout is 11 3/8" long, while the straight section of an O36 is 10" long.

Added block signals protecting the crossing, and the bubbling oil derrick with nodding donkey in the lower right.