Okay, a long time ago I was planning an indoor large scale (1:20.3) layout. Then we decided to have a baby, track prices went out of control, and I began to focus on smaller projects, mostly On30. Well 18 months later, my son is absolutely fascinated by trains and begs to go in the basement to see them anytime I am home.
So I have a new helper in my large scale endeavor, and he is just as enthusiastic as I am, sometimes more so!
Right now, just to get trains running, I am just planning a simple loop of track in an area about 12x25 in my basement (mostly because the track is already on hand). About 80% of the benchwork is already in place (mostly leftovers from previous smaller scale layouts), and the remainder of the basic benchwork should be in place this weekend.
I figure the initial loop will hold his (my?) attention long enough for me to develop some sort of track plan. I am hoping to standardize on the new AMS code 250 track. Seems good quality, affordable, and more "to scale" for indoor use than the 332 stuff (although I am not a scale freak by any means). The #6 turnouts may be a bit long, but I think I can squeeze enough of them in to have a few spurs or sidings. (I am more into watching trains run than operations.) If I need more room, there is always the rest of the basement to expand into (the current plan takes up just shy of 1/4 my basement.) Radius will be as wide as I can get, but no less than 4'r (8'd) since I want the option to be able to run most anything available. The number of quality products in the Fn3 market is staggering!
I will post pictures as there becomes something to look at.
Thanks all!
Scott
So I have a new helper in my large scale endeavor, and he is just as enthusiastic as I am, sometimes more so!
Right now, just to get trains running, I am just planning a simple loop of track in an area about 12x25 in my basement (mostly because the track is already on hand). About 80% of the benchwork is already in place (mostly leftovers from previous smaller scale layouts), and the remainder of the basic benchwork should be in place this weekend.
I figure the initial loop will hold his (my?) attention long enough for me to develop some sort of track plan. I am hoping to standardize on the new AMS code 250 track. Seems good quality, affordable, and more "to scale" for indoor use than the 332 stuff (although I am not a scale freak by any means). The #6 turnouts may be a bit long, but I think I can squeeze enough of them in to have a few spurs or sidings. (I am more into watching trains run than operations.) If I need more room, there is always the rest of the basement to expand into (the current plan takes up just shy of 1/4 my basement.) Radius will be as wide as I can get, but no less than 4'r (8'd) since I want the option to be able to run most anything available. The number of quality products in the Fn3 market is staggering!
I will post pictures as there becomes something to look at.
Thanks all!
Scott