Justinmiller171 Wrote:Atlas track is cheap, in both the good and bad way, I want to build this layout right this time

Micro-Engineering says its turnouts have "Snap Action Sprung Switch Rails". Is this the same feature that Pecos have?

BTW I still need a name!

If you use atlas custom line switches, and you're careful, there is no way they can go wrong. They aren't brain science or rocket surgery. Make sure the rails are flush and there are not any bumps, and you're fine.

That said, the Micro Engineering ones do indeed seem to be sprung, and 6 of them are cheaper than 6 atlas switches plus ground throws. Also, apparently they can be great with DCC-
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As for a name, thats up to you. I'm sure whatever you pick will be just perfect.

Problems with Peco turnouts seems to be gaining the status of an urban "legend"...
I can only relate the experience I've had with them, and the problems encountered. This can be said in few words..One in fact... "NONE"...

No stock rail/point track problems, no loss of continuity, no wheels dropping into (or over) the frogs, no "unprototypical" appearance problems....No nuttin'....

I've been at this train thing for some 40+ years, so I know a good thing when I see it. I use Code 100, electrofrogs....Work like a charm....

Here is the latest track-plan(I know I should get started soon):


I'm still not totally satisfied with the plan, But I can figure it out as I go along, I plan on getting the paint for the backdrop soon, then I will buy a few 2x8 sheets of foam. I hope to get started as soon as possible.

Justinmiller171 Wrote:I'm still not totally satisfied with the plan, But I can figure it out as I go along...

Justin;

I can tell you from many years of experience, no matter what track plan you come up with, you're bound to find something that can be or needs to be changed. So at some point, you just have to pick one and go with it. I'm still undecided about whether to keep my plan as it is or go back to having a trans-load/team track on the plan. Either version of my plan provides pretty much the same amount of operation as far as car spot locations and switching, so it's down more to which is the most practical for a layout.

Anyway, get your foam, put it down and then you should be able to experiment some with various track arrangements and actually operate it some to get a better feel for your plan. What look's good on paper may not really work out for real, so experiment and make changes as you go and before you glue everything down.

Not much progress is going to happen until November, I will probably be painting the backdrop within a few weeks, but that's about it for awhile.

I have been thinking about a theme for the layout and have been considering modelling the end of a branch-line on a short-line, It will probably be set somewhere in the east, such as Kentucky or Ohio.
A couple of possible names I came up with are: "Kentucky Midland" and "Frankfort & Ohio".

Justinmiller171 Wrote:Not much progress is going to happen until November,....

What happened? You have been planning so dedicated and enthusiastic. How come to slow down o dramatic?

I was in the same position as you a few years ago -- I was trying to perfect my track plan before I laid a single rail. I realized after many tweaks of the track plan that I would never get it started at this rate. I went with my latest plan and started laying track. Nothing is permanent and you can always change things. I think most layout builders have gone back and changed track layout over time -- I know I have changed things a bit on my layout as I find what looked good on paper didn't work out well in operations. If you are waiting for the "perfect" plan on paper, you may be wasting your time. I agree with Rheinhard -- just start laying track using the plan you have, and tweak it once you have tried it out, otherwise you may never start building. If you look at the photo below, you'll see where I have made changes -- just look for the brown overspray to see the original track layout. I am still working on the three track at the end on the left. Good luck, start building, and keep us updated!


Chuck

Chuck: was in the same position as you a few years ago -- I was trying to perfect my track plan before I laid a single rail.
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This is the major hold up on building Slate Creek and in the past few weeks I decided C55 was the better track choice for my needs so,its back to buying the needed track.

Of course I'm going for broke with lots of details on this layout since I don't have any plans on building another ISL since I'm not getting any younger-well if I do need to build another ISL it will only be due to changing scale from N to HO due to fading eyesight but,that bridge may never need to be cross..

Justinmiller171 Wrote:Not much progress is going to happen until November, I will probably be painting the backdrop within a few weeks, but that's about it for awhile.

I have been thinking about a theme for the layout and have been considering modelling the end of a branch-line on a short-line, It will probably be set somewhere in the east, such as Kentucky or Ohio.
A couple of possible names I came up with are: "Kentucky Midland" and "Frankfort & Ohio".

That's an interesting name choice: "Kentucky Midland" as that is the predecessor name of the Frankfort & Cincinnati Railway (later Railroad). But be that as it may, why not just go ahead and lay some track so you can run something and worry about where your railroad is and what is supposed to represent later? I'd stick to something in the area where you live for inspiration rather than an area that you aren't familiar with.

Several of us have pointed out that you can spend (waste?) a lot of time trying to find the "perfect" track plan that most likely you'd end up changing something as you actually build your layout. You seemed to really like this latest plan and it sure has a lot of operating potential - so don't worry about the backdrop, etc., but at least temporarily put down some track and turnouts so that you can run something, see what may need to be changed and keep your interests up. Being able to actually test out my plan has been the best thing I ever did. I can operate the layout any time I want; change it around in an hour or so to try out what might be a better arrangement and; most of all it's keeping my interest on a high level.

Sorry for the confusion, The reason I can't make much progress is due to money, I am a teenager who is living off allowance, occasionally I work for my grandpa, but other than that I don't make much money.

That's why it's going to take awhile, not because I need to find the perfect plan.

Justinmiller171 Wrote:Sorry for the confusion, The reason I can't make much progress is due to money, I am a teenager who is living off allowance, occasionally I work for my grandpa, but other than that I don't make much money.

That's why it's going to take awhile, not because I need to find the perfect plan.

Go get a job!

Its OK, i also work for my grandparents every week, but its a steady job. It might be worth it to find some where that will let you work for them. Not just for train, but for life in general. soon you'll want a car, or have to make payments to insurance or credit cards. Just something to consider.

Whatever you do, don't lay a single rail until you've planned every last detail. No really, I mean it. :evil:



Okay, you got me, I'm just being contrary...or am I? :?

Lemme ask you this - what would Bill say if he were here? Perhaps you can revisit some of his posts for some sage advice from beyond the grave. :!:

If you enjoy all this flip-flopping from one side of the country to the other, from one scale to another (remember when your someday goal was to be in O scale?) then keep on keeping on.

But if you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you've got. :o

Might I recommend this read:

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Go to the August 1 entry on Planning vs. Design. You may think you've been planning a model railroad...when it looks to me more like you've been designing a layout (or multiple layouts). :|

Galen

Perhaps I should restate my previous statement, I have a layout plan that I am set with and I will start construction as soon as I can, but I don't currently have the money to start construction right away.
I am not really "Flip-flopping" I just enjoy planning while I am waiting until I have the money to start construction (Don't worry it will not be long).

May be you can get two or three flex tracks, a turnout and two boxcars now or at least soon . It may be in poor condition and from a garage sale etc. It is important to get a feeling about the real size and volume of the stuff you are planning.

I forgot, get a truck with a long trailer. You will have a tendency to make all roads far to narrow

faraway Wrote:May be you can get two or three flex tracks, a turnout and two boxcars now or at least soon . It may be in poor condition and from a garage sale etc. It is important to get a feeling about the real size and volume of the stuff you are planning.

I forgot, get a truck with a long trailer. You will have a tendency to make all roads far to narrow

I will second that comment about getting a semi-trailer or two with a long US 53 foot trailer. They are huge!

My LHS has recently stocked a couple, of which I have bought two. The brand is TON Trucks and the website addy is tontrucks.com. Made in China and it states on the box they are 1:87 Scale. It might pay to attatch some pencils to the sides and draw the curve radius required for turns on some paper then record the details.

Mark