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Post by 4dogsinjersey on May 9, 2020 2:35:41 GMT
I finally decided to build a layout in my family room in the basement. At the moment I have a N gauge layout on a door, in the space, along with most of my O scale collection, stacked in boxes on the floor. The layout will be 10’x5’.
I looked at a few layout plans and have some ideas. Basically, I want one oval with the biggest radius track that will fit decently. Then I envision a second track, possibly a loop and some yard tracks. I have a number of large engines, but I also have smaller ones that will keep me busy running.
I need to research track, but I will probably use MTH Realtrax for this layout, as it will basically be a temporary situation until I get my garage finished and then build a layout in there.
I hope to start in a month or so. I want to research and collect the required track for my yet undetermined plan.
Any input would be appreciated. I am new to o scale layout building, but hopefully my past experience with N and HO will help.
So stay tuned...
Tom
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 2:51:43 GMT
Good luck Tom, post your progress as you go, it’ll be fun to follow.
Andy
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Post by rockymountaineer on May 9, 2020 4:22:14 GMT
Best decision you could make is to build a layout!!! Enjoy the ride!!!
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 5:12:50 GMT
At a 5' width the best you will be able to do with curves is O54. The inner curves will drop down to O42. In my experience the bigger engines will run on the O54 but not on the O42. Speaking only about operation and not asthetics, O54 covers almost everything produced accept some of the biggest items like the Turbines and the Acela.
All of my track is O42 and I have built my roster with equipment that operates on that size curve. The advantage that I have is you can get a lot more sidings, yards, and operations in with the smaller curvature. In other words you can become a track junkie. That's my thing and I love it.
Good luck with the build Tom. Starting small is a good runup to a larger layout later.
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Post by Adam on May 9, 2020 9:17:38 GMT
That is a good size. As everyone else is sayng, just have fun!
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 12:37:03 GMT
Awesome you want to build new layout. Build it the way you want and the needs your railroad wants to deliver. The only thing I can add in my opinion have your layout designed out for were you want yards and how you want it to look. That is the mistake I made I never dreamed of putting in yards when I built my layout.When I met my only friend that has an layout it turned my world upside down.For what u can do and you will get some much help here on this great forum.I'm learning so much on this forum.
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Post by Yellowstone Special on May 9, 2020 13:04:30 GMT
Nice going Tom. To embark on building a new O scale layout is truly a great adventure. The only thing I can add is that I've not read good things about Real Trax, as the switches seem to have problems. However, that may or may not be an issue anymore. Have fun along the way and keep us posted with photos of your progress. IMUA! (forever forward)
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2020 13:05:47 GMT
Looking forward to watching the build come to life. I agree with Wood on the radius. That is what I used for my loops. You may want to go with a tighter radius for the inner loop. I would suggest drawing it out on paper or using one of the free track planning softwares to do up a plan. Are you going with MTH track because you have MTH engines?
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Post by laz57 on May 9, 2020 13:37:48 GMT
Sounds great,good luck with the build. Remember the height of the layout too, for crawling under it for wiring and such.
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Post by ptc on May 9, 2020 14:28:36 GMT
Congratulations, Tom. You will be delighted with the layout construction.
Please post photos of your construction.
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Post by dennym57 on May 9, 2020 14:50:11 GMT
Good luck with your layout. I don't know anything about Realtrax so I hope it works out for you.
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Post by Country Joe on May 9, 2020 15:08:08 GMT
Tom, since this is just a temporary layout I would suggest two unconnected ovals and simple scenery that would give you an attractive place to run some of your trains without putting a lot of money into it. You could use O54 for the outer loop and O42 for the inner loop, or just go with one loop of O54. I'm thinking of a layout something like Bledsoe's, an attractive place to run a train or two while waiting to built your permanent layout in the garage.
If this layout was going to be a permanent layout, or if it had to do for a few years, I would handle it differently, but since its only a temporary place to run a train or 2 I'd go with a simple plan.
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on May 9, 2020 15:26:02 GMT
Great pointers there, everyone!
Vern and RJ, I figured I would try the MTH Realtrax but I really don’t like the look of the switches. Too much plastic. I haven’t ordered any track yet. I was planning on Ross and Gargraves Track on my future big layout, but I may reconsider. What other track system is good?
Rick, besides a couple decent loops, I am envisioning a couple industrial tracks and a yard. I like switching, so I was thinking of some tight urban scenes for the switchers to snake in and out of, with their 40 boxcars.
George, the layout height is a great point. I definitely could use the space underneath. I am thinking of building the layout with locking wheels on the legs, so I will be able to pull it away from the wall and access the far side. It would consist of two 5x5 tables, joined together. Is there a suggested height?
David W, I have quite a few big engines, but a lot of Geeps and smaller steam engines. Honestly, track radius was the last thing on my mind when I bought locomotives. I don’t mind running the smaller stuff for the time being. Most of my Passenger cars are MTH premier with a small train of Atlas 60’ coaches.
Andy, David, Brian and Denny....Have fun? You bet!
Tom
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on May 9, 2020 15:30:19 GMT
Thanks Joe. I will probably go a bit further with this layout as it will be a while before I get my garage finished and start a big layout. It will be a test bed for my modeling skills. The simple track plan is a great idea. I want to throw in a yard and some industrial switching to keep it interesting...
Tom
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Post by harborbelt70 on May 9, 2020 15:47:49 GMT
You lucky dog. 🐕🐶 Through two room extensions, the space for my "train room" has never actually been made, despite promises. Imaginative suggestions of ceiling suspension and indeed a Murphy bed arrangement were impractical. But I'm not complaining - honest. My family puts up with my carpet layout(s) very nobly. In any case, I look forward to your progress!
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