I spent some of the day today in the sleet and snow snowshoers trying to figure out a good track layout. I came up with two but not sure what one to go with. Here they are:
#1
#2
What does everyone else like best? Can anyone else think of other options? I have 6 sections of 3ft straight track, 20 sections of 6.5 ft curves and 4 sections of 1ft straights. All track is Aristo brass. I dont have it now but I plan on getting an aristo X wide switch. What is the length of the X wide switch? I know it is not a lot of track to play with but this is all I can afford for now. I plan on expanding in the future but I just want something small for now, until I can work the kinks out and make sure I have time to maintain my layouts. Any other ideas would be great. I plan on going more towards logging/mountain RR. I am not going to run anything large. More Narrow gauge. Thanks
#2 has merit. I would turn it a little further into a sort of folded dog-bone with a crossover. This will give some elevation and visual impact. Basicaly a modification of the old fashioned figure eight, only more of an oval with one side bent in to cross over the other. That way you can have some bridges and things. My railroad is also dreadfuly flat and if I were to start over that is what I would do. Same amount of track, just more interesting for the trains.
The length of the 3 different Aristocraft switches are as follows:
The small R1 type 4 foot diameter is 300mm, slightly less than 12 inches. Identical to the LGB R1.
The medium size 10 foot diameter is somewhere around 16-18 inches, and is NOT the same as the LGB 8 foot diameter switch. LGB can be in place of LGB curve. Aristo is not the same as their curve length, be prepared to cut track…
Large is close to 3 foot in length. PS, the equivelent USA is 36 inches exactly on the straight portion. Aristo does have a pdf of this switch that can be printed out in full size.