This is my “artists rendition” of what I want my first layout to be, I kept it simple so that I can practice my diorama building skills on a 5’X15’ Layout (more like 5’X18’).
I need to know what each colored section of track is called before I can buy any.
This I know for sure, the two circles at each end are 36" diameters, the track is Atlas Nickel 100 and my train is in HO scale.
I’m hoping to be constructing the layout table by the end of this month.
I will appreciate any help with the identification of what track I need to do this desgin.
I have 9" straights and 9" Curves and a cross section that turned out too be the wrong degee for a proper figure “8”.
I doubt if A will be a 90 degree crossing. Probably more like a 30 degree. Your turnouts need to be Atlas “snap” switches to get the 18" radius (36" diameter) for your circles. The rest is just 9" straights and 18" radius curves.
You’ve got reverse loops in there. Your positive rail is going to feed back into your negative rail and cause a short circuit. It WILL require special wiring and reversing switches. You may want to rethink that track plan.
Using Atlas sectional track and a simple plan is a good way to get experience in this hobby so you are on the right track (no pun intended). I would suggest:
I know you may have some code 100 Atlas track already but unless you have a whole lot of it you might consider switching to Atlas code 83 track before you go any further. As you learn more you will find out that code 100 track is not very realistic and you will want to replace it later. If you switch to Atlas code 83 track now you will protect your investment.
If your layout table is going to be 5 feet wide I would suggest that you change your curves to being 22 inch radius (another Atlas standard size) instead of the 18 inch radius (36" dia.) that you have now. 18" radius can create problems with some locomotives and modern rolling stock does not look good on this tight of a radius. 22" radius makes a 44" circle and still leaves 8 inches between your track and the edge of the table.
Visit and study the Atlas web site (http://www.atlasrr.com/). Atlas has a number of track plans available with lists of the track sections needed. You may decide to use one of their plans exactly or with modifications. The web site also has descriptions of their track sections and how they are used.
While on the Atlas web site consider downloading and learning their free RTS track planning software. Even though it will take some time to learn, RTS will make your layout planning much easier since it is designed to use Atlas sectional track.
Reversing loops are not a bad thing and the special wiring needed for a reversing loop is not that complicated. You just need to be aware of when you have a reversing loop and then make a decision if you want to mess with it. I would suggest that you get one of the basic wiring books from Model Railroader such as "Easy Model
Before you spend the time and money build this, I would suggest doing some more research on trackplans. This site has free trackplans you can access, study or download. The track plan you have is very much a “train set” design. It has virtually no opportunity to operate it in any prototypical manner. It may meet your needs today, but at some point watching one train orbit endlessly will become old and you will want to do more. With this plan, you don’t have anything else to do and there is virtually no way to incorporate more operation without major rebuilding.
I would suggest finding an interesting 4x8 design, then “expanding” it to fill your space. You can always build a smaller layout in a bigger space.
This is almost identical to a Lionel track plan that they designed way back in the early 1900’s, and was the reason they went to 3-rail to avoid electrical problems with such a layout.
I agree with the above comments that if you are going to use Atlas track, you should download their free Right Track Software. When you complete you layout design the software will give you an itemized list of all of the track you need to buy to construct the layout.
You are planning a 5’ x 18’-20’ table layout. I think that you may have some problems reaching the center of the table. In the same space I would consider a “U” or “O” shaped type layout that ran around the walls. This would give you much larger radius linear design which is much better for operating.
Take a look at the online Model Railroader track plan library for ideas.
[#ditto] on getting the Right Track Software (RTS) from the link given by davidmbedard above. The software does have a little bit of a learning curve, but is not complicated compared to others and will be simple to learn for simply creating a first layout plan.
One thing to do right away, learn how load the correct library of track products. You may choose from a variety of retailers, but if you want Atlas snap switches for the 18" turnouts they are in the Atlas code 100 library that downloads with the software.
Atlas is very good about answering questions via email about using the software.
BTW my layout is also 15 feet. You will find that you will have a lot more space to add some interesting track designs compared to the sketch you have created, a lot more space. Your sketch track occupies too much of the generous 15 feet of surface than it will in reality. You’ll see this right away with the software.
Also, if you have 5 feet of width, you can create 24" or even 26" radius curves. These will allow you to use larger steam locomotives if you wish, and generally will be more satisfactory. 18" snap switches needed for the 18" radius curves can give problems to large locomotives, particularly steam locomotives, on entry and exit of the turnout. Go wide and use “custom line” switches wherever possible. They are more protypical and less problem. This I know from experience
I think you fell into the symmetry, circles, and straight lines trap! There is so much more you can do in that space, and still keep things simple!
Some of the designs in it are dated, but you might take a look in “101 Trackplans” for some ideas. Or any of the compilations of John Armstrong’s work. If you really want to design your own, get Armstrong’s “Track Planning for Realistic Operation”, so that your tracks will have a purpose. It will make it much more fun to run once it is built. Also, find a post by Space Mouse, in his signature is his beginner’s guide. It is a very useful read!
Thanks to everyone here who answered my questions reguarding my idea for a layout.
I will redesign it so that “I can trace it with my finger without running up the same track” to avoid reverse looping…Thanks!
I will down load the soft ware suggested and look up Space Mouses beginners guide.
I will also design with more track options in mind for future expansions and get out of the “Straight line and loop” mentality!!
It seems that the more research the better, this post was asking you folks to point the way to the proper info needed to start my layout and the replies here have done a great job at that.
My next question is…“Do you folks ever get sick of walking new bees through this stuff over and over”, I’m not complaining at all I’m very grateful that there are a group of Train mentors out here for us that would no doubt make a mess of things if left to our own devices!!
In addition to all of the above you will want spurs, a yard, and other track features which you will find in the references above. You have good space if you allow for a max 30" reach. Other wise you will just be running your train in circles.
Well, building a reverse loop isn’t really that hard. I stayed away from using one for years because everyone talked about how difficult it was; when I finally put one it, I was surprised at how easy it was. If you’re planning on using DCC, you can get a gizmo for about $25-30 that will do the reversing for you, but you still need to use plastic rail joiners to isolate the reverse trackage. In your trackplan, I would maybe keep one reversing track, and use the open spaces to add some industry trackage, or an enginehouse, or scenery etc.
If you don’t have a lot of track stuff bought yet, I would consider going to some of the track-with-roadbed like Kato or Bachmann. For one thing, you’re limiting yourself to Atlas sectional track’s 22" radius curves and no.4 turnouts; with 5’ wide benchwork you could use up to about 26" radius and no.6 turnouts, which in HO would accomodate pretty much everything including full-size passenger cars and large steam engines.
Plus laying cork roadbed under the track can be a real hassle!!
I find it very difficult to keep up with “who is who.”
I wish there was a feature allowing us to see a list of posts and threads made by a particular user.
Sadly, it tends to be the rare (but usually prolific) persons who write the vitriolic posts whose usernames I find it easiest to remember—so as to keep a wide berth.
Just click on the persons screen name in their sig. It takes you to their info page and there is a title “posts by XXXX” Click on that to see a list of their postings.
