Hi -
I am pretty much a newbie to model railroading. I have been reading posts and learning here as my kids and I have assembled our o-gauge three rail layout. Whether you know it or not you have been really helpful - thanks!
What started as a 4x8 oval on the floor is now a 12 x 8 sort of C shaped layout on tables we built. It’s something that we plan to have up all year now. We recently had all six of my nieces and nephews over for a train party and now my brothers all have a basic starter set at home. A bunch of fun.
Here’s my question: I am looking to expand my layout a bit and make something that allows for some interesting action and for some flexibility for expansion (when I spend too much on some accessory) plus has good visibility for kids watching and operating. I always thought I would have a few concentric loops with operators in the center, but wonder if this gets a bit “old” quickly. I have read about point to point layouts, but just have loop experience. Would like to know what you all would recommend as a next step for a layout. The pluses and minuses you might have seen in your experience. Also, I am considering moving to larger dia curves than 31" - I am thinking 54".
Apologies for the long post. Really would appreciate reading about your thoughts and suggestions.
Happy holidays and THANKS
C. Ogden
Check out these planning books - they contain a wealth of info, ideas, etc., etc.
Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong (Mr. Armstrong is considered the Dean of Track Planning)
Realistic Track Plans for O Gauge Trains (from the publishers of CTT)
Have fun and Merry Xmas!
CO, not a long post at all, at least compared to some of what I’ve written: check out thesurvey on attracting newcomers to the hobby. Check out this website: http://www.thortrains.net
It’s literally the BEST website available to answer the newcomers questions. You’ll get lots of ideas. I gather you’re using ‘0’ tubular track: keep in mind you can add a half-straight between every 31 inch curve track to get a bigger circle. You’ll probably want to keep the operating accessories that need participation up front, like the operating crane or the barrel loader. Things like the operating gateman, revolving beacon, the MTH operating frieght/passenger platforms, the 364 log loader, operating billboard, etc. can go in the back out of immediate reach.
Lots of sidings are fun, as well as a reverse loop (or cut-across in an oval) so you can change direction, or back the train up to change direction again. A passing siding is also fun.
A general rule of thumb for kids is to make sure operating accessories interact with the trains to load or unload. And keep room at the front for some roads so the kids can play with their automobiles and trucks. I built a road with a ramp on my nephew’s layout. He can roll a car down the hill where it races up to the train track. But the car always stops as I made ridges in the road just before the grade crossing.
USE YOUR IMAGINATION!! Let the kids make suggestions and you make their suggestions reality (with their help too!). I always keep a sharp eye at toy stores for things that can be used on the train layout. I found this farm tractor with a conveyor belt trailer… so I cobbed the trailer belt trailer to fit on a couple of Lionel Trestles… mounted it in the corner on a curve (a tough space to usually put something that will fit!) and he loves it. He can manually load up a gondola.
Also keep loads simple. I replaced the coal load on the Lionel Coal Dump Car with a load of popsicle sticks - so if there’s an accident, the mess is easy to clean up unli