Hi Y’all,
I’m trying to find out what kind of track to set up. I’m attempting to model a small township Recreational freight service. My board is 4 ft by 6ft table, I’m thinking along the line of a small 2 track yard off a twice around.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance!
I presume we are talking HO scale. I’m assuming that twice around is the type I built from an Atlas plan book in the 60’s for a 4’x6’ table. It had an outer loop where on one long side it curved in to an inner loop that, via a crossing, then resumed along the outside loop. I think it had 22" curves outside and 18" inside, with one short stub into the inner loop.
Here’s one search:
Here is a search for “small twice around layout”:https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS759US759&biw=1366&bih=625&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=1YL4XPzSDYzi-gTb55OwAg&q=small+twice+around+layout&oq=small+twice+around+layout&gs_l=img.12...0.0..44637...0.0..0.0.0.......0......gws-wiz-img.rOA2UOSk97w
Atlas show some diagrams on their site of packaged track that they sell. They also have some layout books.
A lot depends on how close to table edge you are willing to go, minimum radius and turnout numbers for your type of equipment, etc. Note there can be a tendency to squeeze too much trackage on smaller la
I have the very same book, with the layout as well. However, I do not have the amount of track needed to add a small yard, due to the fact that I usualy run small local trains, needing not much for in-out quick switching. I could also do the Lets Get Started layout from John H. Armstrong’s Model Railroading Track Plan Book, and install a small 2 stall yard, led in as a spur, or lead off the main line.
I’m begginnning to realize that being tall is a curse.
you might consider what is possible with a pt-to-pt on a 2x12’ or 1x24’ base
gregc-
I suppose a point-to-point with a main-thru yard wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Thank You!
p.s- Do you know what this sign means?
are you sure you don’t want/mean staging instead of a yard?
If that’s what it’s called, yes. I currently have a temperary layout set just to keep the workbench clear and the locos working set, I’m looking to set up tomorrow.
As long as the siblings are busy on Minecraft, I can play with trains in peace.
some things to think about
i’ve read that the lack of staging is the biggest mistake on most layouts. Staging stores trains that traverse the layout. It is typically hidden.
only recently did I fully understand that a yard is for breaking down trains arriving at the yard and switching cars to outbound tracks for trains leaving the yard. There is often hidden staging adjacent to a yard.
after I built my small layout I thought about staging and built a vertical staging to store trains. I had just enough room for the small trains I needed. I figured I needed space for at least two trains. Cars picked up would be switch in the next session. two trains ment cars would randomly be on different trains.
rather than use up layout space for staging (if that’s what you are considering), you might consider something off layout to hold trains. Modelers have used cassettes temporarily attached to the layout.
I like point-to-point arrangements. My 2nd layout (current one) has it. I like that ther are far more operational and realistic options than my 1st which was more circular.
