Newbe

[mjdx88]

Hi, Im Mike im pretty much new to model railroad. I have looked around the forum a bit trying to get some ideas the past few days, and trying to figure out what i need to build a simple layout. I was going to build a layout on an older layout that use to run my lionel trains but, there isnt enough space to keep this layout up year round in my basement.( i pics up on another site http://community.webshots.com/user/mjdx88 this is also what i have set up for now, but i am going to need to take this down soon.) So searching around i found this layout on Mike Small's page. ( http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train2.htm ) its the 7th door layout.
At frist this seemed simple enough i have a door, and layout my track, but then thinking about this and reading some more topics i found that it isnt going to be as simple as i thought, ex i dont know what size switch tracks to use, i guess aka turnouts? =/ and how to bend the flex track to the right angles.
It would be great if i could get a parts list from someone for this layout and how do build it, but =P but if someone can just give me a little insight on how to do this figure all this out and point me in the right direction that would be great =)
thanks,
Mike

[Stourbridge Lion]

Welcome to TrainBoard!!!!!!!

There are allot of great modelers here that I'm sure will give you a ton of information as well as be able to supply images of their layouts.

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[Powersteamguy1790]

Mike:

Welcome to Trainboard.

You'll get lots of great info here. Ask as many questions as you like.

Stay cool and run steam.... graemlins/cool.gif :cool: :cool:

[mjdx88]

i got RTS 7.0 so i got most of the info on the layout i want i just how do i map out the curves? and does it matter what # switcher i use? and make the slppes, for the different levels?

[ak-milw]

Mike, Welcome!!
I might be wrong but I think those are N scale layouts. I ever seen an HO layout with 13" rad curves!!
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[BoxcabE50]

Mike-

Welcome To TrainBoard!!!

:D :D :D

Boxcab E50

[LongIslandTom]

mjdx88:

Welcome!

Hope you enjoy your foray into HO. It's a hobby filled with challenges and rewards, and probably some frustration in between (though asking good questions will minimize that!).

That said, several things you should be aware of:

- HO actually requires MORE space than the Lionel O27 stuff in your photos. The tightest radius curves most locos/rolling stock can handle are 18 inches, which means a circle of HO track needs to be at least 36 inches wide (38 inches if you include the roadbed).

- 22-inch radius for HO is better if you are going to run big locomotives such as modern-day 6-axle diesels.

- Most HO locos/rolling stock can handle #4 turnouts (which has very tight curves), but personally I prefer #6 for reliability.

- I'm not sure if I read your post right, but are you intending to build a layout on a door panel? If you are, in HO you are limited to a switching layout (no continuous loop running). If you want that on a door layout, you need to go to N scale.

- for slopes, most common are 2-3 percent grades. That means for every 100 inch of track, you can have the track rise/drop in the vertical by 2-3 inches. Any steeper than that, most engines will have a hard time pulling a full train up an incline.

Hope this helps!

[ March 02, 2006, 11:24 PM: Message edited by: LongIslandTom ]

[mjdx88]

thanks, that really did help, as for the layout that was my mistake they are N scale layouts. I guess back to looking for layouts.

[Stourbridge Lion]

Give people an idea of what space you have and what kind of layout you might enjoy having. I have seen many of topics around here that people have helped others design a layout.

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[Stourbridge Lion]

You might also want to checkout our RailImages.com site where you will find allot of great images of peoples work such as this "Track plan of the old layout" by Pete Nolan
http://www.railimages.com/albums/petenolan/abn.sized.jpg

[mjdx88]

i would like something small and kinda complex, but a switching layout really doesnt interest me that much. I cant get much bigger than 8 X 4. I mean i would like something smaller than that but i can live, its not that big of a deal. I would also like to have the option to run 2 trains at once....as well a layout were i can keep it flat for now and later on be able to add tunnels and make some slopes and add to the display(track wise and scenery)
im going to check out rail images right now.

[LongIslandTom]

Links to various track plans: http://www.dragonsfreehold.com/Plans/THOR.html

Scroll down to the HO section and there are a few classic 4x8 oval layouts you can look at.

Good luck!

[watash]

Mjdx88, Welcome to TrainBoard!

You say you will need to take the train layout down later? Will it be moved, put back up, or destroyed?

I have one that tilts on edge, mounted on casters and can be rolled from room to room or outside. Tilt it back down, plug it in, add trains and I am running again. It is HO and 6 x 11 feet.

[mjdx88]

It does need to be put away at some point, i was thinking if i do need to put it away it will be standing up on its side so i just need to make it so that when it is standing up nothing falls off or the idea with the casters sounds pretty good, it could let me stand the board up and moved out of the way

[mjdx88]

Btw, im heading to a train show in NJ tommrow, so i will prolly pick a few things up that i need, i want to lay grass out , on the board frist. whats the best away going about this, like taking the dark green ballast and gluing it down, or laying a grass matt down? and prices, whats a good price for all of this?

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by watash:
I have one that tilts on edge, mounted on casters and can be rolled from room to room or outside. Tilt it back down, plug it in, add trains and I am running again. It is HO and 6 x 11 feet. Wayne-

Do you by chance have a photo you could post?

smile.gif

Boxcab E50

[mjdx88]

I would like to see a pic as well if you have one watash, as i think about it that is a really good idea and more than likely do that myself becuase that should work perfectly. Speaking of the layout i want to build,(thanks for that those links guys) i have picked one that i think will fit what i want, ( http://www.thortrains.net/4holay4.html the one on the top right. ) The only thing i am going to do differently is only do one spur? for now (im not really sure what the inner part is called.)
If you guys have anymore info i would like to hear it, Thanks so much for you help so far, I really appreciate it. :D

[mjdx88]

My bad on the link for the layout i picked its the one on the top left with the added one spur

[watash]

I have a drawing of the layout, but have not been able to get into Railimages to post it yet.

[traingeekboy]

Have you looked at the plans on the atlas site? Some of those are pretty cool despite how old they are.

[watash]

I don't go to Atlas, so haven't seen what they have there.

Here is a drawing of my tilting HO layout. The top view on the right shows the table set down to run trains. Directly below is an end view of it.
On the left is an end view of the layout tilted up for rolling through a normal interior house door way, and a top view right above it.
The cross arms with casters are 28" so it can go through any normal doorway, and it clears a normal room doorway by 3" when tilted up.
I can move it alone, but to insure the buildings remain in place, two guys can move it easily.
It has been moved from one house to another with on damage what so ever. I still run it today. It will run 4 trains each with its own control, and all turnouts are signaled at the turnout as well as on the control panel. It is 6-1/2 feet wide by 11 feet long.

http://www.railimages.com/albums/waynewilson/abr.sized.jpg