Guys I have two continuous loops on my layout. Now on one end I have enough room for a 22" radius and an 18" radius. No sweat for the loop as I can put one inside the other. The other end of the layout is another matter. It’s only large enough for a 18" radius. Now how the heck can I turn around both sets of track here? I’d like to keep them independant of one another so a crossing is out.
Put one over top the other.
Maybe I just cannot see this in 3D. [banghead]
If I put one on top of the other how do I get them out from on top of each other? Two portals into a tunnel and big retaining walls to provide the 3 - 4" of elevation needed?
How much space do you have between the two ends of the layout? That will determine whether the over/under idea will work. You don’t have to bring one track up 3-4 inches, but rather bring one up 2 inches, and the other down 2 inches. You need to have the grades completed by the time they get to the point where they need to curve. A tunnel is probably a good way to do it, with the high track going around on top of it.
I’ll have to play around with the tunnel concept, as this is what I thought was the answer. I have lots of room to raise the grade, but I’m not sure how I can lower anything.
[#ditto] One in a tunnel one on top of said tunnel.
If you’re limited on the distance to get the grade for the track clearance, the double tracks at the other end don’t have to be on the same base elevation. Some of the track separation can happen by raising the 22" slightly and allow it to start the climb. To add some better look to the scenery these tracks need not be parallel, let them separate until you reach the end where the outer track can cross and run over the other.
why cant both use 18" radi?
have the inside line cross to the outside, then the new inside line does it curve. the new outside continues a bit and then starts its 18" radi curve and then crosses the other line and retuns to the inside again.
it might be a bit unconventional, but if you really want it, you will make it work.
or just have the inside line have 18" radi leaders and some 15" curves to make it work
Kevin
If you think about is that requires a space wider than 18" If he had more than 18" he could just use a 18 and 22" radius curves.
The other alternative is to make one loop “shorter” than the other and turn it back sooner at a location that might allow something wider than the space he has. nothing says the loops had to be parallel.
Dave H.
Why are you limited to 18" on that end? Is your table only 3’ wide?
If your not using that plastic roadbed track, try using flex track on that end. You can make your turns whatever you want.
They do make 15" sectional track, but you really don’t want to go there.
Sparkjay
I have what sounds like, what you want to do. My track goes out and back twice, one I call the river road and the other mountain view. Both tracks enter the tunnels at the same time but river road at slightly lower grade. They exit the tunnel with a greater difference.River road turns back 180 degrees 18" turn and at the end of the turn passes under mountain road which has gone out farther and made a 22", 190 degree turn. The mountain road that was on the out side will now decend to the inside of river road. there by making a continuous loop. My layout is 18’ by 4’ . I would have posted pictures but I screwed that up. Can’t seem to get that right.
Lee
Now if I can figure out how to post two or more pictures on one post.
Lee
I’m something similar to that. But my tracks need to be on top of one another to get both trains to turn around in the same area… I’m really limited to the size on this end. The area is 42" x 40". I’d like to keep both tracks independant of one another, but 2 crossings may be the best option.
If you want to go to the additional expense and complexity, you might consider a switching and block control system to enable both trains to use the same 18 inch curved section.
Sparkjay
My trains did use the same piece of track at the other end of the board but that did not work out so good, inorder to use all of the track you had to switch over ever time to change tracks.
Lee
Casey Jones, he loved a locomotive.
Casey Jones, a mighty man was he.