Does anyone have any layouts for a 5x9 using O-48 curves. I have been to the yahoo fastrack group and have searched there as well. I also have purchased both fastrack books from lionel and have not seen much in there to help me out. I am looking for something to just play around with while i get my bearings with the scale. I have to go with the O-48 because I have on order that GE hybrid engine from lionel. Thanks for any help. Derek
I’m currently set up on a ping pong table with basically three ovals. The inner oval is O27 track, the next oval is O40 Fastrack and the outer oval is O60 Fastrack with a passing siding.
The O60 loop with a passing siding really does not fit on the ping pong table. I’ve added an extension to one side of the table and, since I’m set up in the attic, a shelf suspended from the rafters to support the passing siding.
It is nothing special, but it gives me a place to run trains.
You won’t be qble to fit anything too complicated into that space with the O48 curves that your new GE Hybrid requires. I think that you will be looking at a basic oval with a spur to the inside, a reversing loop, or some variation on a figure 8.
Good luck. Remember it is your railroad, so build what makes you happy. Making changes to find that happiness is part of the fun of this hobby.
I have a little bit larger layout now, but I started out with a 5x9 and used O48 as the outside loop with O36 on the inside loop/figure8. I used O60 turnouts and these might let you have a siding.
I am using 0-48 curves and 0-72 switches. I started with a base layout I found in the Big Book of Lionel found on page 37 its called plans for 0-72 switches there is another layout on page 36. The layout is for 5X9 and is using 0-42 radius and 0-72 switches. As I mentioned earlier I use Fastrak 0-48 curves on a 6X11.5 layout. That said I think there some possibilities. My outside loop uses 0-48 curves with one 10” straight and one 1.5” in the middle. My inside loop is also 0-48. On a 5X9 you might consider using a 0-42 in Lionel o gauge track if your locomotives will handle an 0-42. Or if you have room for another foot in width expanding to 6X9 Otherwise I think with some creativity you can come up with some ways to use 0-48. Let me know if you would like specific dimensions from my plan and I would be happy to get those for you.
Berk, if you have a track plan I’d love to see it.