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Switch layout

1056 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  J.Albert1949
I would like to build a layout but don’t have enough space for now.(too many kids)😂 But i was wondering about a switch layout. Where should i start? I know there are a few books but dont know if they are any good. I looked on youtube but I find the information is poor and/or makes me even more confused... I have about 7 feet by 3 feet of available space. It would be HO as I already have tracks, power, locomotive...
Thanks
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Which "switch" maters

I would like to build a layout but don’t have enough space for now.(too many kids)😂 But i was wondering about a switch layout. Where should i start? I know there are a few books but dont know if they are any good. I looked on youtube but I find the information is poor and/or makes me even more confused... I have about 7 feet by 3 feet of available space. It would be HO as I already have tracks, power, locomotive...
Thanks
SN95HotRod;

The book "101 track plans" has many plans for switching layouts. There are also some posts here on the forum. In the upper right corner of the forum's home page there is a line titled "Search this Forum." If you type in "switching layouts," it should find them for you.
A switching layout can be a nightmare if the switches (We call them "turnouts") don't work well. I strongly recommend you avoid Atlas "Snap Switch" turnouts. They are at the bottom of the quality scale. There is a current thread in the N-scale section about "major problems with Atlas turnouts that I suggest you read. Peco, or Micro Engineering turnouts would be much better choices. The files below explain these ideas more.



Traction Fan :smilie_daumenpos:

View attachment All AboutTurnouts rev 4.pdf

View attachment Improving Atlas turnouts pdf version.pdf

View attachment How I scratch build turnouts new(8).pdf
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