 |
Return Create A Forum - Home |
 |
--------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Lionel Trains |
 |
https://lioneltrains.createaforum.com |
|
--------------------------------------------------------- |
|
***************************************************** |
|
Return to: Layout Design Forum |
|
***************************************************** |
|
#Post#: 2434-------------------------------------------------- |
|
Newbie Layout Help? |
|
By: salshoes Date: June 18, 2020, 3:25 pm |
|
--------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Hi all - glad to find this forum. |
|
Other than running a loop around the Christmas tree over the |
|
past few years, I am pretty new to model railroading. Growing |
|
up, my dad had a pretty decent setup in our basement, but that |
|
lasted until I was about 8, and I�ve now inherited some of his |
|
small collection. |
|
I�m looking for some help in coming up with a layout. I�ve |
|
built an 8'x10' table with a 2�x2� hole in the center so I can |
|
either operate stuff in the setup or just to reach things. I am |
|
thinking of trying to run three trains in this setup: 1) the NYC |
|
Empire State Express, 2) a 2056 engine and tender with 4 |
|
Pennsylvania passenger cars (and a caboose if I can find one), |
|
and finally 3) a cargo train with 3 boxcars and a Sunoco oil |
|
car, pulled by an engine I don�t yet have (I�d like a |
|
modern-looking diesel, like an A-B unit). |
|
In terms of yard activity and scenery, I don�t have a whole lot |
|
(BUT, my son is going to also put his lego train together and |
|
will build some scenery if needed). I do have the Lionel no. |
|
456 Coal Ramp Set with hopper car, two trestle sets, a trestle |
|
bridge, some lights, a mountain tunnel and a little watchman |
|
house (activiated by the train passing, with the man coming |
|
out). |
|
The trains are all on the older side, so I guess I have whatever |
|
track radius is more �original� to Lionel (maybe that is O27?) |
|
I can easily buy more track, but am not looking to spend a bunch |
|
of money � perhaps some basic scenery materials, additional |
|
lumber to do some elevation, and a third engine. |
|
My big question is really just if an 8x10 layout can handle |
|
those three trains without being too crowded? |
|
It seems there are a lot of resources for layouts here and on |
|
other sites to peruse, but with that list of trains and |
|
materials, are there any obvious things I should or should not |
|
do? Are there �standard� or basic layouts for three trains on a |
|
table this size? |
|
Thanks so much for your help! |
|
#Post#: 2435-------------------------------------------------- |
|
Re: Newbie Layout Help? |
|
By: TrainLarry Date: June 18, 2020, 4:14 pm |
|
--------------------------------------------------------- |
|
Welcome to the forum! |
|
The size of your table should easily handle three trains on |
|
separate loops. With your trestle set, one loop can be elevated. |
|
There are no 'basic' layouts for three trains that I am aware of |
|
- every layout is custom designed to the room and requirements |
|
at hand. |
|
I had two trains running on a 5'x8' layout with one loop |
|
elevated. A third train was parked on a passing siding that I |
|
could switch in. |
|
The two loops were figure eights with the sides connected so |
|
that a train could run in a loop, or be reversed using the |
|
crossover. |
|
The upper and lower levels were connected with a track on a |
|
graduated trestle set, so that a train can go from the top loop |
|
to the bottom loop, or the reverse. |
|
Sketch out a plan, then lay out your tracks on the board without |
|
connecting them to see if you like it. Continue until you find |
|
something you like. That is what I did. |
|
Larry |
|
#Post#: 2436-------------------------------------------------- |
|
Re: Newbie Layout Help? |
|
By: djacobsen Date: June 19, 2020, 6:12 am |
|
--------------------------------------------------------- |
|
salshoes |
|
Hello & Welcome to the Forum! |
|
Train Larry gave you good advice, the only thing l can add is to |
|
check out the SCARM Track Planning Software provided by Forum |
|
Member "Mixy". |
|
http://www.lioneltrainforum.com/train-layout/new-free-lionel-track-planning-sof… |
|
Happy Rails! |
|
dave |
|
#Post#: 2846-------------------------------------------------- |
|
Re: Newbie Layout Help? |
|
By: kars2026at10 Date: September 18, 2021, 3:26 pm |
|
--------------------------------------------------------- |
|
I run 3 trains and an elevated trolley on a 5X10 layout. It's |
|
what ever you want to do. |
|
***************************************************** |
