04-07-2009, 03:43 PM
Rob,
My inital sketching and figuring was hopefully productive. Seems on a 38"x72" base you can get a loop of 18" radius around the outside with some 15" radius working inside.
Could be as simple as two loops with a crossover and some sidings in the middle. Twist the inner loop and you've got a figure 8 within a loop. This makes two-train operation interesting, as they will be running the same direction part of the way, and opposite directions the other way, as the inner train goes around the figure 8.
Perhaps more interesting would be to keep the outer loop simple, with an inner branch line. The added length that allows for the figure 8, also means you can make an 'S' in the middle up a grade (about 3.5%-4%) with a small switchback across the middle, and a siding or two down below.
I'll doodle some options and post them hopefully Wed. night or Thursday morning. Is there a height restriction to consider?
Galen
My inital sketching and figuring was hopefully productive. Seems on a 38"x72" base you can get a loop of 18" radius around the outside with some 15" radius working inside.
Could be as simple as two loops with a crossover and some sidings in the middle. Twist the inner loop and you've got a figure 8 within a loop. This makes two-train operation interesting, as they will be running the same direction part of the way, and opposite directions the other way, as the inner train goes around the figure 8.
Perhaps more interesting would be to keep the outer loop simple, with an inner branch line. The added length that allows for the figure 8, also means you can make an 'S' in the middle up a grade (about 3.5%-4%) with a small switchback across the middle, and a siding or two down below.
I'll doodle some options and post them hopefully Wed. night or Thursday morning. Is there a height restriction to consider?
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!