CB&Q Fan, I would think long and hard before using that steel track. The steel track is very maintenance-intensive, and may cause conductivity issues and unreliable running. The only way you can solder feeder wires to steel track is if you use rosin-free silver bearing solder (regular rosin-flux electronics solder won't stick to steel). I would stick with nickel-silver rail. It's the most reliable and least maintenance-intensive of all the rails out there, and will work with regular rosin-flux solder. As far as the layout plan goes, if you want both continuous running and the maximum running distance possible within your given dimensions, the folded dogbone is the only one that will satisfy all those criteria using 22" radius curves. Compared to the folded dogbone, an island layout will cut your running distance by half, at least. And an open center layout would also have about 25% less running distance. Hope this helps!
I have been trying to get this downloaded with no success. Maybe someone could help me out. I have settled on this basic design, but would like to fill in the back section with turnouts and track. I think 3 or 4 tracks will fit. As the track moves to the front of the layout, it will raise to clear as it heads back to the center. I will look to find opportunities for some industrial switching, locomotive storage (1) etc in the 2 loops on the sides. Built a mock up out of cardboard and at 36" tall, I can easily reach anywhere on the layout. I believe that a 5" rise will give me plenty of clearance. I am thinking I will use some type of urban steelwork to weave the track over the flat tracks. Is there any other items that I need to account for before starting the bench work? http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/attachment.php?attachmentid=715&d=1152924029
°°° ± ® ¤ ¤ Watash, it's part of the ASCII character codeset. Your keyboard converts the keypresses to ASCII code for display and processing. These are part of the ascii code not on keyboards. To use them, hold down the ALT key and type the number code, then release the alt key. the number code for the degrees symbol is 0176 ° Also, you need to use the number pad, not the numbers across the top of the keyboard. I'm trying to find a good copy of the chart and I can't right now. still ALT 0176 will give you degrees. ALT 0174 is ®. Microsoft word has a handy character list buried deep in a thing the font drop down too.
You mean like 180° ? On Microsoft winXP go to START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, SYSTEM TOOLS, Characher Map has all the symbols. ASCII = ° also works! Thanks YoHo! Now I got to find an ASCII chart somewhere.
CB&Q and L.I.Tom, I tried to download the XtrkCAD from sillub.com and found it is only available for Linux at present. If I had it available it might be possible for me to assist. Sorry. Using XtrkCAD, is it possible to move the center raised 180° section down enough so it meets the point of tangency with the outer loops? CB&Q wanted a flat layout, and this would prevent any view obstruction of the tracks behind. The curves might be large enough so the "S" curves formed, might still work even without a straight section between them. CB$Q, will the fold down steps still clear the layout and give access to get up on them?
First attempt again! Here is the plan I have come up with for some switching and continuous running. I get to maintain 22 inch radius turns on the outside track and 18 on the inside. I know the 2 tracks on the top are not the best, but I can't figure out any way to make it better. I think something may still be missing, but can't put my finger on it. I have learned I need to keep it simple. I started with grand ideas, making it too complex to start my first layout. I may still be headed down that road. I hope I can count on some constructive criticism as I would like to start building soon. After months of trial and error laying track on the floor, the only thing I know for certain is that I need more room. The 28' by 48' walkout basement that's now a family room would have been perfect. The things I do to keep my bride happy.
Maybe you could talk her out of some space at the far end of the basement. If she allowed you 8 feet across the end, you would have 8'x28' and she would still have a 28' x 40' Family Room. That is a big room! My Dad did this at Wichita, and hung a drape across to separate my train layout from his Movie Room. He had friends over and showed our vacation movies in our basement. He even had a pull-down screen just in front of the drapes, and his projector was mounted at the other end of the basement. I don't think anyone ever knew the layout was back there. I might suggest a crossover somewhere so you could move a train from the outer loop onto the inner loop tracks. Unless you have a reason for fanning the "yard" tracks out, you may want to look at making one of the yards have parallel tracks so you have room for a town or industry. Generally looks pretty good for operation.
