Trackplan Tweaked Again, Comments and Suggestions 11' x 13' room - bmp & jpeg

Here it is as a jpeg:

Mike

Mike,
Looking good!
A question about alternating the 054 / 042 curves. Does that make a smooth curve?
When I join two different radius curves on my outdoor layout, I get a kink where they join. The train does wobble a little at that point. Just wondering how it works out with O gauge track.

You are a lot further along then I am; I'm still fighting with my design.

Bob,

I thought the same thing would happen but it doesn't. I think the trick is starting with the larger radius and then going down to the next lower radius, and so on. Although I cannot remember the name of the book or author but this method is illustrated in one of the more popular track planning books. If I can remember it or find my reference, I'll post it.

Mike

John Armstrong's book on layout's. On tighter curves half sections work well.

You are still going to do the unconnected upper lever right? They work well for display layouts. I'll try to fing some helpful photos and send direct.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom Tee:
John Armstrong's book on layout's. On tighter curves half sections work well.

You are still going to do the unconnected upper lever right? They work well for display layouts. I'll try to fing some helpful photos and send direct.

Tom,

I think I have the name of the reference about mixing radii at home. Yes, I'm still building the independant upper level with the double reversing loops.

Mike

Here's my latest revision. I think I like this one the best. The 45 degree crossing takes up a little more space but I think it add something to the plan.

What do you think?

Tom, I've misplaced the reference for the book I was talking about. As soon as I find it I'll post it.

Here's the latest tweak.

Mike

Here's the jpeg.

Mike

Any updates on this? I am looking at doing a 12x16 ushaped layout in a similar setup and would like to see some pics if you have them. Looks good on the layout.

I built my Harpers Ferry layout in a 11x13 room. The original plan had minimum 042 and max 054 curves. But over the years my collection has upgraded from MTH RTR Rugged Rails O27 engines and rolling stock to scale Premier. With the bigger scale stuff I became unhappy at how the scale cars looked on tighter curves. So I massaged my layout design and eased alot of the curves. Now the outer loop is Min 054 and inner 042 in just a couple of curves.

Brian,

I do not have photos to show progress but as Tom said, I'm making adjustments as I go. Nothing drastic, just a tweak here and there. I hope to photos pics soon.

Obsidan,

I like your plan and if I could integrate my Post War accessories into it I'd consider it. The 456 Coal Ramp is a land eater, so it's tough.

Mike

Okay guys it's e again, I've added a Lionel 313 Bascule Bridge and a 213 Lift Bridge to my collection. Any suggestions where to put them?

 

Mike

When I looked at your picture at the top to refresh my memory I thought that the 213 could possibly fit on the second track from the right; but for what purpose? It would need a body of water to cross, and then how do you justify the track along the edge without a bridge? That's a moot point as I look at your tweaked pictures and those two tracks are even closer together. If you moved the 3 cattle pens elsewhere you could put the 213 there; but at the cost of a good veiw of what's behind it, and maybe some reach issues as well.

 

Bob,

 

The very first post shows the original plan with the lower level and the upper level. I should have been clear when I posted this update that there is a planned upper level. I could tweak the upper level to fit these two bridges as the upper level crosses over the lower tracks.

 

What do you think?

 

Mike