[RichT]

I have a small layout.... 8x5... with two main loops... I want to put a reversing loop and some sidings on the inner loop... I'm using 1122 switches, but their size and design prevent me from creating nice close ordered rows of sidings.... as of now I have to put a half track between the switches and can only get siding that are over 3 track widths apart. This is still in the trial and error stages, so I am open to all kinds of suggestions.

 

[RichT]

OOPS Wrong Version of the layout

Here it is with the sidings

 

[Reckers]

Rich, you have my sympathy---I've been trying to work a yard into a (smaller) S scale, with no success. I finally accepted that a yard required too much room unless you had a really tremendous area to work with. I would like to mention two things, though. The first is that your bottom center turnout arrangement creates some "S" curves that may cause you grief. The second thing is to suggest you consider some elevation, and go with a two-tier arrangement? It would allow you to enlarge that inner oval and move those switches apart. Best of luck with it----I know it's a struggle to find space.

 

[RichT]

The second thing is to suggest you consider some elevation, and go with a two-tier arrangement? It would allow you to enlarge that inner oval and move those switches apart.

Thanks for the sympathy. I was considering doing a mountain / tunnel in the top left of the layout, with the outer loop going over the mountain and the inner going through a tunnel.. But I think the grade down to the switches would be too steep. the alternative would be to raise the back outer loop and allow the inner loop to run under it.... but that doesn't address the siding issue....

 

[Big Ed]

Hi Rich. Didn't I tell you this before?
might have been someone else.

Your switches to big I know what you mean one of these days I would like to set mine up with these switches. Ross switches are compatible with O, O/27 and high rail.
They aren't cheap but what is now a days. And check out the room you save.

Just a thought.

Check out the site.

http://www.rossswitches.com/

 

[RichT]

Hi Rich. Didn't I tell you this before?
might have been someone else.

Might have been someone else... But thanks... Problem is I already have 8 of these switches and didn't want to lay out the bucks to replace them

The good news is that when I get the new house done (when the market is better) I have set aside a 20x15 room that will be nothing but trains... and I will probably go 100% ross...

My local shop miss lead me a bit, saying that the 0-27 and ross would not connect together....

But for right now I have spent a bundle getting started and cant really lay out the bucks for all new switches....

But thanks for the Info, I'' have to add the Ross Library to RR-track and do some day dreaming.

 

[Reckers]

Rich, I'm still looking at the mountain/tunnel solution as a strong contender. It's sort of a logical sequence: to move at a reasonable speed requires some straights, the curves demand enough room for their radii, and that leaves you with a lot of perimeter track with a big void in the center you can't use for the train. Elevating to get more than a basic oval means mountains/bridges. Once you go that step, you have to 'justify' the layout, i.e., have it make sense, visually. By that, I mean an elevated loop that goes nowhere and does nothing sort of offends the eye.
I'm about 6 months away from starting; right now, though, I'm leaning toward a central lake with mountains in the back (with tunnel line plus elevated line on ridges over it). Foreground would be at ground level and climb/descend on the sides. Finally, I'd like to have turnouts that allow my trains to leave the table to travel to another table and return. This all assumes my plan to find a place to rent with a perfect basement works out. Best of luck on your layout,

 

[T-Man]

Interlaced fingers

The only suggestion I have is for a yard that feeds from both ends but doesn't connect. It is like interlacing fingers. This gives you more branch lines for storage. It's an O scale trick to add more track.

 

[Reckers]

The only suggestion I have is for a yard that feeds from both ends but doesn't connect. It is like interlacing fingers. This gives you more branch lines for storage. It's an O scale trick to add more track.

Nice trick, T-Man---I like it.

Another idea...and I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel, here---is a three-tier layout with the yard in the bottom. If you used plexiglass as a "floor" for 1/4 of the middle layer, you could have active track on the first two levels and have your yard visible, below.

 

[RichT]

The only suggestion I have is for a yard that feeds from both ends but doesn't connect. It is like interlacing fingers. This gives you more branch lines for storage. It's an O scale trick to add more track.

Thats a thought, going to have to think about that one a bit.... was also thinking of making a long "Parking" siding in the back between the inner and outer loop....

Ross switches are compatible with O, O/27 and high rail.

I loaded the Ross Library into RR-Track.... Wow those switches are BIG... I do like the many available styles and configuration... but Most of them are 14" long, and eats up lots of real estate. Ross will defiantly have to wait till the bigger version 2 of the layout...