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Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
I'm happy that you went with the 24x48 size. I do not think you would have been happy with the smaller size.
Personally, I just like the slightly smaller 4 wheel trucked locos - they are just more versatile on a smaller layout.
If you have that 16 feet in length - I have a plan for you - I just have to find it - i'm looking - just can't remember where I stuck it!
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
Here it is --- I always wanted to build this - never got around to it - maybe you have given me the push!
Lots of switching moves here .. as you can see it is a waypoint on a larger layout.
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Layout West Agony 01 (Large).jpg
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Layout West Agony 02 (Large).jpg
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Layout West Agony 03 (Large).jpg
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@Sirfoldalot Thanks for the designs - I will take a look at them.
As it happens, here is an update - this is now the full benchwork: 2 ft by 12 ft. I decided that 12 ft would be enough so I did not add another module.
Also, I added legs to all modules so each module is free standing. Thanks to the leveling screws I installed in the legs, I am able to get the modules to line up pretty accurately. You can see the blue foam behind the benchwork - that will be next.
Here it is --- I always wanted to build this - never got around to it - maybe you have given me the push!
Lots of switching moves here .. as you can see it is a waypoint on a larger layout.
I just love the Agony layout design you posted. Let me see if I can fit it in 12 ft by 2 ft. Need to fire up 3rd Planit
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
Another set of the same photos, however with these can be enlarged and moved around on the screen to see details better.
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Layout West Agony 01.jpg
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Layout West Agony 02.jpg
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Layout West Agony 03.jpg
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There is also the question of track choice. I have favored Atlas for the past few layouts and it has worked well. The cost is reasonable and by using the Tam Valley Frog Juicer, I can get my locos to crawl through turnouts without any hesitation.
However, I wonder if I should take a look at Peco or Walthers. Still a bit undecided - needs some thought.
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
I just love the Agony layout design you posted. Let me see if I can fit it in 12 ft by 2 ft. Need to fire up 3rd Planit
Looks like it gives you NINE industries to switch plus a team track at the depot!
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
Most here seem to favor the Peco Brand. If I built this i would have to go back to "hand laid" and use fast tracks switches.
I know it's to NOT be in a hurry, but there is so much satisfaction in doing it!
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
I have a friend in KC who says he can turn out the fast track turnouts one an hour!
I am using these leveling screws (got off Amazon) for the legs. Nice thing is that they can be adjusted very easily from above and they have lock nuts.
Another set of the same photos, however with these can be enlarged and moved around on the screen to see details better.
@Sirfoldalot I think this is from some old issue of Model Railroader - can you tell me which issue? I have a subscription to the new trains.com website and they have the full archives included in the subscription.
@Sirfoldalot I was able to take a first go at creating the West Agony layout in my 12 x 2 space available in 3rd Planit. Its looking promising but needs some more tweaking
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
I did not think that the plan was any more than 24 inches wide, but seems maybe to be more like 30 inches? The reason I say that is because your drawing looks a little tight?
You are correct - It is from MR. I want to say between 64 and 70? If you can do a search - look for WEST AGONY.
I will never find it again - my back copies are too jumbled. If you need the article - Send a PM to member ASHPIT. I believe that he has a MR disc of issues and could do a possible search?
I still have a lot of tweaking that I have to do on my version of West Agony. I just wanted to see if there was any chance at all that not would fit in the space available.
One thought I have had is to add two foldable planks on each side of the layout to provide the runaround space for switching operations. In that case, it would be a lot easier to fit the entire plan in 12 by 2 space.
Anyway, this promises to be a fun activity - am looking forward to this.
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
After looking more close - it seems to be at least 36 inches wide.
There were no dimensions in the article (I remember that) It was a switching "puzzle" with 35- 40 moves to complete.
I'll look for the issue tomorrow.
I did not think that the plan was any more than 24 inches wide, but seems maybe to be more like 30 inches? The reason I say that is because your drawing looks a little tight?
You are correct - It is from MR. I want to say between 64 and 70? If you can do a search - look for WEST AGONY.
I will never find it again - my back copies are too jumbled. If you need the article - Send a PM to member ASHPIT. I believe that he has a MR disc of issues and could do a possible search?
http://modelingthesp.blogspot.com/2018/06/my-ballard-track-arrangement.html July 1960, Terry Walsh’s West Agony & Inchoate Railroad
Days Gone Bye!
Staff member
WOW, PAUL!
Thanks for chiming in. You nailed it.
I can't thank you enough - I read the whole article and wow, is it well written. These older issues of MR really have some great material in them!
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