Atlas True Track Layout

[Rich29]

Hi everyone,
I'm just starting a N Scale layout using True Track (7' x 3' / 3.5'). I will be wiring for DCC.
I would appreciate any comments / suggestions with respect to the layout, recognizing that True Track
has limited track options at this time.

Thanks,

Rich

[Rich29]

Sorry, I'm having trouble posting the photo of my layout.
Trying to see what I did wrong.
Rich

[Rich29]

Picture included this time (I hope)

[John]

Not knowing what your skill level is with DCC, I made a couple of notes .. you will need reversing circuit for the area marked .. add insulated gaps at the ends. Also, the turn table will reverse polarity if you turn a loco completely ..

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[Catt]

Biggest problem I had with mine was when joining the sections together one of the rails would sometimes ride up,over the top of it's rail joiner instead of sliding into the rail joiner.

[Rich29]

Thanks John & Catt for your input. I have the reversing circuit working but I do need to work on the
Turn Table polarity. As far as the track joiners, you do have to be careful aligning them but once set I find the
track works quite well (and looks pretty good as well).

[Philip H]

Looks like a layout for watching trains run, as opposed to serious switching. Should be fun for that. Do you have a specific geography or prototype you are aiming for?

[highway70]

The reverse loop has no logical purpose as configured.  Two separate spur tracks to serve industries would make better use of the switches

[OldEastRR]

To make it easier for continuous two-train running you would need another crossover on the mains between the loop track start and the yard/enginehouse lead.
One thing for certain: you are going to buy more RR cars than you can fit on your layout (it's a symptom of model railroading disease). Make your yard as big as possible, with maximum tracks.
Good starting layout plan. There are lots of places to stick in switches for industrial spurs, if you care to get into that operation later.

[Catt]

This is my True Track layout.The basic plan is Model Railroader's Yule Central a project HO layout from some years back.The track on the far left goes downgrade to a (when the picture was taken) 2 track yard.All of the buildings are scratchbuilt.That brown area will someday be a parking lot for the big warehouse across the street.

[Van Horne]

That is one good looking little layout, Jonathan!  I know I had a book with the Yule Central track plan in it at some point in the distant past, but I don't remember it ever looking that good!  How big is this pike?

Dave

[Catt]

Dave,
   The Onandaga Sub. is 32"x48" not counting the yard.The original Yule Central was 48" by 72" in HO scale. I've actually considered doing a new version for a home layout but build it 48" x 96".

If I were to do that all the partial buildings would be built as whole buildings.I seriously doubt that will happen though,I'm getting to darn old to build another layout.

By the way Onandaga is a small Michigan town that I have not visited in roughly 60 years.

[jimmo]

This is my True Track layout.The basic plan is Model Railroader's Yule Central a project HO layout from some years back.The track on the far left goes downgrade to a (when the picture was taken) 2 track yard.All of the buildings are scratchbuilt.That brown area will someday be a parking lot for the big warehouse across the street.

An actual parking lot? Too many of us squeeze in the structures and think of the parking logistics later. Way to go John! Will you be needing some cars to fill it or are you modeling Christmas day?

[Catt]

Jimmo ,
   I have enough N scale cars to fill both parking lots and the streets. A fair amount of them came from you and Rasputin.