After doing some more research on Narrow Gauge railroads, more specifically their yard configuration, I have come up with this track plan for my On30 layout. It is based off of the Durango and Silverton Line. The entire layout is based off of Bachmann EZ track, I do plan use Fast Tracks for the straights and curves and have them match up to the Bachmann turnouts.
The Twisted Sticks Railroad
- Thread starter Nucular
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Since the Bachmann switches are not reliable for a lot of people over the long term, that seems exactly the opposite of what one would want to do. You have an S curve through the double crossover (which would never be found on US narrow gauge). The factory spur is maybe too short for spotting even one car in the clear and it seems like your buildings are too close to the tracks for On30. Seems like too far to reach into the center.
The dimensions are: 162 inches along the back stretch, 72 inches along the right side, 102 inches along the left side. The jog out in the front left is 72 inches long, and the front right is 90 inches long. I used prefab foldable tables for the layout configuration. There are four 72 inch by 36 inch tables, one 18 inch by 72 inch table, and one 30 inch by 72 inch table.
The room in which the layout is located is 15 feet long, by 11 feet 4 inches wide.
I did take some liberties with the layout. The double crossover might not be true prototypical but at the same time I do not have the space to model a 45 mile long stretch of track. The double crossover so far is still a thought, I just like it because it saves space. Two - one way crossovers might be better. As for the location of stuff, the Bachmann track measures about 2 inches wide with the road bed, and the rolling stock seems to more or less stay directly over the road bed. There is a little bit of play. The factory size is somewhat unknown. I want to use one of those premade ones from Woodland scenic, but they do not give the dimensions, so I figured on the high side. The siding should be able to accommodate a solid car or two.
As for the Bachmann turnouts being unreliable, so far I have had no problems with them in terms of reliability.
In response to rzw0wr and cajon:
I know that Atlas flex track matches up to Bachmann EZ track as I went to a local hobby store and tested it out. I do not know about the fast track, but thanks for letting me know about that. Worst case I will just leave my layout in Bachmann EZ track or I can order On30 flex track. A search on google brought a few of those pieces up.
The reason why I am not a fan of Fast Track's turnouts is that they seem very involved to make. They do not have machines for making the turnout operate. Bachmann's is already built into the road bed and the DCC decoder is built into it. I use the 18 inch radius DCC turnouts from Bachmann.
The straights and curves are the only part of EZ track that are reliable in the long-term. Why would you go to the trouble of building Fasttracks curves and straights when they will be hard to combine with the EZ track switches that you insist on keeping?
Most experienced modelers don't use switch motors built into the switches because if either the switch or the motor goes bad, the whole assembly must be replaced. But if you want to do this in what seems to be the harder and least reliable combination, that's your prerogative.
I should have a picture here sooner or later. Currently working on a custom made bridge that is necessary to my new layout plan. Well any of my new plans call for it. To describe it, I would say that it is about 40% done, as I mainly have just base of the bridge done. It is a solid 3 foot long bridge made out of aluminum with those holes even spaced so far. It looks like an erector set. lol
I got delayed a little due to the fact that I ordered Square head bolts and square nuts, as squares are more suited to the time frame, and regardless I like the look of square better.
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nucular
There are two problems w/ your plan.
1.Double Xover At 4 times the cost & as much in maintenance of them, very doubtful a narrow gauge RR would ever have one. Same reasons holds true for your MR. Just have a LH & RH Xover on either end of the straight track. And you'll have a siding to do runaround moves to set up cars for switching
2. If those two spurs are your yard they won't hold more than 3-4 cars. If you're like most of us you WILL get more cars!
Put your yard tracks parallel to the above siding. Use those two small spurs for your cabooses & car repair. And you don't really need that bg loop on right side. Use the track for another industry
If you're going to use Fast Track for your curves & straights why not use their switches? And how would you disguise the differences in height & appearance?
There are two problems w/ your plan.
1.Double Xover At 4 times the cost & as much in maintenance of them, very doubtful a narrow gauge RR would ever have one. Same reasons holds true for your MR. Just have a LH & RH Xover on either end of the straight track. And you'll have a siding to do runaround moves to set up cars for switching
2. If those two spurs are your yard they won't hold more than 3-4 cars. If you're like most of us you WILL get more cars!
Put your yard tracks parallel to the above siding. Use those two small spurs for your cabooses & car repair. And you don't really need that bg loop on right side. Use the track for another industryIf you're going to use Fast Track for your curves & straights why not use their switches? And how would you disguise the differences in height & appearance?
IronBeltKen
Lazy Daydreamer
That's the best-looking plan I've seen yet! So it will be an On30 pike - what are the layout surface dimensions?
Since the Bachmann switches are not reliable for a lot of people over the long term, that seems exactly the opposite of what one would want to do. You have an S curve through the double crossover (which would never be found on US narrow gauge). The factory spur is maybe too short for spotting even one car in the clear and it seems like your buildings are too close to the tracks for On30. Seems like too far to reach into the center.
Nucular,
ME track from Fast Tracks does not always play well with other track.
The ME track has a thinner center section than my Atlas track.
The Atlas joiners are sloppy on the ME track thus requiring solder to make the connection work.
Also Fast Tracks curves and straights require that the cross ties be laid and the connecting waste piece between the ties be cut before gluing to the track.
Or you can cut the waste piece first and glue the tie pieces to the track. Either way it is difficult to get the ties on the rails to look good.
Take a good look at their video on curved track and you will see what I am talking about.
If you buy Fast Tracks kit you will get 18" sections of rail.
The sections of ties they sell are 10" long. There is a lot of waste with the 18" sections of rail.
They can be connected with joiners to make longer track. 36" pieces of rail is better.
ME sells flex track, Fast Tracks does not have a flex track jig.
There is a quit a difference in the look of the ties from Fast Track and Atlas.
ME track from Fast Tracks does not always play well with other track.
The ME track has a thinner center section than my Atlas track.
The Atlas joiners are sloppy on the ME track thus requiring solder to make the connection work.
Also Fast Tracks curves and straights require that the cross ties be laid and the connecting waste piece between the ties be cut before gluing to the track.
Or you can cut the waste piece first and glue the tie pieces to the track. Either way it is difficult to get the ties on the rails to look good.
Take a good look at their video on curved track and you will see what I am talking about.
If you buy Fast Tracks kit you will get 18" sections of rail.
The sections of ties they sell are 10" long. There is a lot of waste with the 18" sections of rail.
They can be connected with joiners to make longer track. 36" pieces of rail is better.
ME sells flex track, Fast Tracks does not have a flex track jig.
There is a quit a difference in the look of the ties from Fast Track and Atlas.
Thanks.
The dimensions are: 162 inches along the back stretch, 72 inches along the right side, 102 inches along the left side. The jog out in the front left is 72 inches long, and the front right is 90 inches long. I used prefab foldable tables for the layout configuration. There are four 72 inch by 36 inch tables, one 18 inch by 72 inch table, and one 30 inch by 72 inch table.The room in which the layout is located is 15 feet long, by 11 feet 4 inches wide.
GenSet said:
I did take some liberties with the layout. The double crossover might not be true prototypical but at the same time I do not have the space to model a 45 mile long stretch of track. The double crossover so far is still a thought, I just like it because it saves space. Two - one way crossovers might be better. As for the location of stuff, the Bachmann track measures about 2 inches wide with the road bed, and the rolling stock seems to more or less stay directly over the road bed. There is a little bit of play. The factory size is somewhat unknown. I want to use one of those premade ones from Woodland scenic, but they do not give the dimensions, so I figured on the high side. The siding should be able to accommodate a solid car or two.
As for the Bachmann turnouts being unreliable, so far I have had no problems with them in terms of reliability.
In response to rzw0wr and cajon:
I know that Atlas flex track matches up to Bachmann EZ track as I went to a local hobby store and tested it out. I do not know about the fast track, but thanks for letting me know about that. Worst case I will just leave my layout in Bachmann EZ track or I can order On30 flex track. A search on google brought a few of those pieces up.
The reason why I am not a fan of Fast Track's turnouts is that they seem very involved to make. They do not have machines for making the turnout operate. Bachmann's is already built into the road bed and the DCC decoder is built into it. I use the 18 inch radius DCC turnouts from Bachmann.
psychobeagle12
Member
hey nuc, I like the new track plan as well! I also would advise against bachmann turnouts. I have used them with success, but it seems like about every 3rd one or so gives me problems. You may get lucky and never have an issue, and I hope that does happen for you. Just know that with bachmann track it is a real possibility. Believe me, I really like most bachmann products, but ez-track for a permanent layout is an entirely different thing. I think though that you will enjoy the track plan you have!
The straights and curves are the only part of EZ track that are reliable in the long-term. Why would you go to the trouble of building Fasttracks curves and straights when they will be hard to combine with the EZ track switches that you insist on keeping?
Most experienced modelers don't use switch motors built into the switches because if either the switch or the motor goes bad, the whole assembly must be replaced. But if you want to do this in what seems to be the harder and least reliable combination, that's your prerogative.
Cjcrescent
Master Mechanic
The reason that the FT jigs don't come with switch machines or any method to throw them with is that FT allows you to choose what method to throw your turnouts with. You can use ground throws, stall motors, (Tortoise machines), string and weights, solenoids. It doesn't matter. Example, every turnout on my layout is within reach, and as such they are all manually thrown by either sprung levers or Caboose Industries ground throws.
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I thought initially that all code 83 was interchangeable, especially since Atlas flex track would connect and match up to Bachmann ez track. Now that I am more aware that Fasttracks rail profile is slightly different, I know to avoid it.
I originally wanted to build my own straights and curves for three reasons: First, I could get the On30 fixtures which make the ties spaced further apart and bigger. Thus a higher level or realism. Second, I could make the curves turnout to any degree I like, and I could make a whole one piece 90 degree curve without any problems. The guy in the straight video showed how to just move the piece over so that only 2 PC ties are in the fixture and to just keep on going so you do not need as many rail joiners. Third, I thought that it would give me something to do, and would look cool.
I originally wanted to build my own straights and curves for three reasons: First, I could get the On30 fixtures which make the ties spaced further apart and bigger. Thus a higher level or realism. Second, I could make the curves turnout to any degree I like, and I could make a whole one piece 90 degree curve without any problems. The guy in the straight video showed how to just move the piece over so that only 2 PC ties are in the fixture and to just keep on going so you do not need as many rail joiners. Third, I thought that it would give me something to do, and would look cool.
Cjcrescent
Master Mechanic
What you have described is hand laid track. There are some of us that build our track this way. I have well over 60 turnouts on my layout, of which only 14 are commercial components. This is because these are in hidden areas, that will eventually be hard to get to for maintenance. All the other turnouts are hand laid in place, and very, very few are of a constant frog number.
I've even gone as far as to cut my own ties. To date I've cut well over 20,000 ties and still need a couple thousand more before all the track is down.
I've even gone as far as to cut my own ties. To date I've cut well over 20,000 ties and still need a couple thousand more before all the track is down.
DairyStateDad
Mumbling in the corner
Micro Engineering makes On30 flex track with properly spaced ties. Also turnouts, although a limited selection of frog sizes.
From the DairyStatePhone
From the DairyStatePhone
F T does make turnout controls.
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/BullFrog-Manual-Turnout-Control-s/2087.htm
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/BullFrog-Manual-Turnout-Control-s/2087.htm
Cjcrescent
Master Mechanic
Really, you can make the different brands work with each other very easily. Right now, with the FT jigs, Micro-Engineering rail is supplied, so unless there is a real long term contract, the rail supplied with the jig can change. I've tried various brands of rail in the jig I reviewed, and they all work in the jig, so even that isn't a problem.
Click on my homepage link in my sig, and see some of my handlaid track on my layout.
Click on my homepage link in my sig, and see some of my handlaid track on my layout.
Sirfoldalot
Days Gone Bye!
Wow, Carey, That is some layout.
Really nice modeling work on the motive power!
Thanks ...
Really nice modeling work on the motive power!
Thanks ...
Cjcrescent
Master Mechanic
Haven't got any new pictures but we're onto the third level, and have 75% of the benchwork and about 50% of the rail down. Been ill with chest cold this month, so construction is at a standstill.
I should have a picture here sooner or later. Currently working on a custom made bridge that is necessary to my new layout plan. Well any of my new plans call for it. To describe it, I would say that it is about 40% done, as I mainly have just base of the bridge done. It is a solid 3 foot long bridge made out of aluminum with those holes even spaced so far. It looks like an erector set. lol
I got delayed a little due to the fact that I ordered Square head bolts and square nuts, as squares are more suited to the time frame, and regardless I like the look of square better.
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)