I’m looking for any good plans of a 4ftx12ft. dogbone (ie. 2 4’x4’ modules connected with a 2’x4’ connecting section)…
I’ve downloaded Atlas RR, and am trying to figure out how to learn the program. Any good examples out there? Looking to use Kato Unitrack…
Any examples?
Hi and welcome,
The plan should come from your vision. What scale are we talking about?
Try the “Beginner’s Guide” link in my signature. Answer the questions that it raises and you will get a lot more help–because you will have given us more information.
Sorry, HO scale…
I have my layout sketched on paper, but having trouble trying to use the various software programs… Basically a big loop, and sidings in the middle of the dogbone…
I haven’t seen many examples in this forum of other dogbone shapes, whioch I posted the question.
Good link BTW, some more questions for me to think about.
Scan your paln and post it. You’ll get plenty of comments. You don’t need examples when you tap into expertise.
Hi there, I just went through the same process, mine is a tad shorter though 4’ x 11-1/2’. Check out the following and scroll down the posts to see the final incarnation. I was able to do a folded figure 8 to get a more continuous run. This reminds me, I need to take some photos and post but you can see the plan here: http://www.trains.com/TRC/CS/forums/964089/ShowPost.aspx
Good luck, Keith
That isn’t going to work real well. Using 18" radius curves it takes 4.5 feet to get the reverse curve in. That means the two reverse curves are going to have to have part of them across the module joints. That also means the parallel track section of the layout will have a maximum lenght of three feet. So it will be more like a bow-tie than a dog-bone. Atlas had one like this that was listed as an alternate to the Water-Wings, HO-10021, in their book “Custom Line Layouts for HO trains”. http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/pages/10021.htm
I guess the one I have sketched here looks more like the link you posted (I guess it is called a bowtie)… I do not have a scanner, but will upload my current layout in the next days…
Thanks for the advice.
Well, I tried to learn how to use a software program, so with some rough sketches, and Kato Unitrack decided just to dive in. Here’s where I’m at right now, on my step by step webpage of building our layout.
http://www.ihoff.com/projects/train/train.htm
I’m just finalizing the track layout. Any comments would be appreciated.
Looks like you’ve got the greatest Jr Engineer there. Keep us posted.
interfx, i’m really interested in what you come up with. I’m doing exactly the same thing and have sketched it out on graph paper so far. I’m not sure what you did for benchwork but i built two identical 4’x4’ tables (held up by 2"x4"x32" legs) and connected the 2’x4’ center section via 2" bolts with wingnuts for easy assembly.
So far, my plan is basically 22" radius curves on the outside and 18" curves inside of that. i’m still waiting on my track materials to arrive so i’ve not got much done other than the benchwork. i’ll post if i run into any issues. BTW, all turnouts are going to be #6 since that’s what everyone here seems to prefer… i’ll let you know how they work out.
good luck!
–mark
oops. i should have read all the way down before saying ‘i’m not sure what you did for benchwork’. it looks really good. I didnt do the angles between the 4x4 and 4x2 center section, it’s just square at this point. i like yours much better than mine so i hope you forgive me when I help myself to your idea :).
many thanks,
–mark
Thanks for the reply. I ended up with 2 4’x6’ sections, that disconnect in the middle (help together with carriage bolts), and also added a shelf in the center. To assemble, simply remove shelf, and 2 carriage bolts.
I ended up using 1x3" popular (same price as straight 1x4" pine), and used 2x2" legs. I did secure through both sides to ensure that it is “stiff” enough. Used 1/2" plywood, and am in the process now of adding various layers of pink foam.
Should be lots of fun… We were at the Train show yesterday at West Springfield, MA and got lots of new ideas…
Will reply back, when we get our next phase done.
Here’s where I’m at now on our project 3 months in…
We keep going, starting to look like a real train layout… Lot’s more work on the landscape left to get done before summer…
Wow, thats a really nice walthers 2 stall engine house. Did you weather that yourself?[;)]
Aren’t you glad to see we have made good use of it? We’re having lots of fun… My son is really getting into the train. We built some of the models ourselves, and found some on eBay…
Thanks.
Enjoy it while you can. I’ve got 2 boys and neither one got bit with the train bug after they grew up. Oh well…there’s always grandkids…but I’m too young for that yet[:)]
[:-^]
Carter and Todd,
You are both to be commended. That is some really great work you are doing. Your bench work looks like quality cabinetry. and your mountain is awesome.
It is great to see a Dad working with his son. That is the way I got started many years ago.
I had four sons, They were into model cars, real cars later on and heavy into the field sports and fishing. So I had lots of quality time with them and they were always interested in what I was doing RR wise, but they never got bitten by it like the old man has.
With what I see in your pics, I think we are leaving our hobby (and love) in good hands for the future.
Keep up the great work, we are all interested to see your progress, so keep us posted.
James:1 Verse:5
The old “Wobbly” rolls on and on and on…
Johnboy out…
Hello Interfx, I must say first of all your layout is very nice, and my question for you is this:
Where did you get the “Lifelike pictures” of the mountains, for your backdrops?
Thanks, Carl
Y’know, that’s a nice little layout you and your son are building there. Clean benchwork, great backdrop, the creek is very well done. Plus it’s a manageable size so you and your son can actually run trains on it. I think sometimes we tend to come up with grandiose plans that will never get finished. (Yeah, I know, a layout is never “finished” but you know what I mean.)
Very well done!