One Long Single Track

My last few layouts have been different combinations of the v11 and v16 Kato variant sets. Before I started with something fresh, I wanted to try a small adjustment that would turn the combo into a single lane, very long track.

By offsetting one side of each end by one track, the result is a spiral.

The color coded layout illustrates that this is one long single lane. Half way through the color switches from blue to red so you can easily follow the path all the way around the single path. The inside lanes are connected and a turnaround loop has been added to the outside lane. I did have to add a small extension to my table to accommodate the loop. One power supply runs the whole track.

I used all of my passenger rolling stock to create one train, all pulled by the Pennsylvania GG1. In total, there are 43 cars plus the engine. This layout is 4 x 10 and there was enough rolling stock to more than fill one lap of track. To scale, the track is 3.2 miles long and the train is just under one mile in length.

Because the layout could only handle one train, it didn’t last long. I took it apart right after I recorded the video and started on something that would be more fun to run.

SCARM file is here.

Kato Unitrack v11 & v16 with Overpass and Reverse Loop

Last week I did a 4×10 layout using the v11 and v16 sets. The biggest problem with the layout was moving a train from the outside track to the inside track, which is where the reverse loop was located. This week I modified the layout to shorten the trip. I created an overpass that goes from the outside track directly to the inside track.

The video shows how easy it is to use the overpass to move from the outside to inside track and then reverse the train using the revere loop.

The layout features four storage turnouts. One of those is on the outside track. As a bonus, there is a small loop for the trolley. You can download the SCARM file here.

G Scale LGB 90463

This summer we plan to install a garden train in the backyard. I selected the starter set 90463 from LGB. It arrived today, and I couldn’t wait on the weather to break for a test run. Everyone likes it, except for Taffy.

I added some extra track so we could make a more interesting layout. Below is what the layout will look like when installed in the yard.

To test things out, I set it up in the house and did a few laps. Everything worked great!

Kato Unitrack v11 & v16 with a Reverse Loop

This layout combines the Variation 11 and Variation 16 sets to make a double-double track loop. The two sets with no extras are designed to fit together like this. Here is the SCARM file for the combination of the standard kits.

My layout adds some extra straight track to the make the straight sections longer. I have a 4 foot by 10 foot area for this track and it comes close to filling it.

I also wanted a reverse loop.

After this, I used up my remaining turnouts for storage.

The SCARM file can be downloaded here.

Kato Unitrack Reverse Loop

This is a small layout that took about 15 minutes to setup. All the track needed is in the picture below. It is a fun layout that permits two trains to easily travel between the inside and outside lanes. The inside track has the reverse loop. In the video, the direction of both trains is changed and both trains end the video going in the opposite direction as they started.

track

When creating a reverse loop in a DC track, there must be two separate electrical circuits. About half way through the reverse loop, I inserted two insulated Unijoiners in the track. The turnout closest to the loop determines which side of the loop gets power.

You will notice the train moving very slowly when it passes the insulated section. This is because the wheels on each car short out the loop for a moment as they pass over. I have not found an easy way to prevent this without isolating a whole section of track and adding a double-pole double-throw switch for that section. At low speeds, the power is low enough that the circuit breaker in the power supply is not tripped. At higher speeds, and subsequently higher power, the breaker continually trips. Take the reverse loop slow, and it will work just fine.

Download the SCARM layout file here.

4 x 10 Three Lane Layout with Reverse Loop

This is a simple layout that is a lot of fun. With three lanes there is a lot of space for multiple trains running at the same time. The reverse loop permits the inside train to reverse direction. With two WX310 crossovers, any train can be moved toward the inside lane.

This layout is ten feet by four feet. The largest table I have is a 40×40 inch square card table. For this layout, I used two square tables and one 24×48 inch table. To create a smooth surface, I covered all the tables with pieces of peg board.

The tables are all slightly different heights. I use large pieces of cardboard to bring all the surfaces to roughly the same height. Over top of the peg board I spread a couple layers of green felt. It’s not perfect, but it creates a fairly smooth bed for the track. All together, I invested less than $50 in pegboard and green felt. It was worth it.

This layout has three main tracks. The two outside tracks have turnouts.

On the inside is a reverse loop. The blue and red sections of the train are electrically isolated from each other.

Two insolated Unijoiners are located close to the switches for the storage lanes.

This layout took about an hour to set up. It utilizes Kato Unitrack and is all DC. The complete SCARM file can be downloaded here.

4 x 10 Four Track Layout

I wanted to create a layout that was as long as possible, but not have any overpasses. On the 4 x 10 table, I started with a loop of two lanes going all the way around. I added a turnout along the top. Note that the second lane in this layout is the only lane with no turnout.

Inside of this, I added two more lanes, and bent the ends back onto themselves. Each of these lanes has a turnout.

You can see the inside and outside are connected at the bottom right of each section with a pair of EP481-15R (20-221) turnouts. Below is the whole thing with the turnouts highlighted. If the third lane turnout is used as a lane for traffic, the layout is basically a three lane loop with a giant looping turnout.

All together it is 203 feet of track, all on a 4 x 10 foot table. It’s a fun layout to watch. Be sure to watch the bonus clip at the end. Samuel stopped by and we did a quick FasTrack loop under the N Scale layout. I think he likes the big trains mostly because of all the sounds that he controls from the remote.

There is a lot of track in the layout. It took 75 minutes to put it all together and get all the electronics working. Download the SCARM file for this layout here.

Watch the Trolley

I added a trolley to the inventory. This is the first layout with the trolley. It is on an inside lane using 20-174 curves. These 150mm radius curves are too sharp for most of my trains, but the trolley handles them perfectly.

I started with a basic 4 x 10 loop with four lanes. Around that I added an extra loop with R418-15 curves. All five lanes are connected so trains can travel from lane to lane. Two turnouts are in the inside for storage. For the trolley, there is an inside figure eight with R150 curves. SCARM file is available here.

One extra note: I recorded all the video with an iPad and edited the video with iMovie on the same iPad. The software is not as feature rich as what I have on my PC, but it did the job.