On30 ET&WNC R.R.

[davefoxx]

Nice plan, but it looks like you might have issues reach to the far tracks and getting to anything derailing back there.

Agreed.  That could be mitigated with a pop-up hatch of other form of access.

DFF

[davefoxx]

My curiosity got the best of me, so I pulled out a piece of ME Code 83 flextrack and a turnout.  Mind you, I'm partial to Atlas-style flextrack that is much more flexible than ME.  However, I took a tip from @C855B and bought a Tracksetta.  Since this is On30, I was able to use an 18" radius HO Tracksetta, which works beautifully with this ME track.  This will make life a lot easier me to work with stiff ME track.  The experiment worked; I'm going to need more Tracksettas!



However, I'm not sure that I'm particularly enamored with the ME turnouts.  I'm concerned about the quality.  Out of six I bought, at least three have problems with the snap action of the points, and each turnout suffers from points that don't fit tight up to the stock rails. 

DFF

[Chris333]

I made my own track setter out of thick illustration board and a homemade cardboard compass. Mine is about 10" long. I just glue down a section then slide the setter and glue the next section. I use superglue 

[davefoxx]

I made my own track setter out of thick illustration board and a homemade cardboard compass. Mine is about 10" long. I just glue down a section then slide the setter and glue the next section. I use superglue 

Good call!

DFF

[Dave V]

Mine is about 10" long.

Hence your otherwise inexplicable popularity with the ladies...   

My curiosity got the best of me, so I pulled out a piece of ME Code 83 flextrack and a turnout.  Mind you, I'm partial to Atlas-style flextrack that is much more flexible than ME.  However, I took a tip from @C855B and bought a Tracksetta.  Since this is On30, I was able to use an 18" radius HO Tracksetta, which works beautifully with this ME track.  This will make life a lot easier me to work with stiff ME track.  The experiment worked; I'm going to need more Tracksettas!

Great to know!  My HOn3 ME flex is the first ME flex I've worked with (other than bridge track) and I, too, am taken a bit back by how stiff it is (TWSS) after using exclusively Atlas flex.  I'll need a few HOn3 Tracksettas too.  EDIT:  Apparently they don't come in HOn3.

However, I'm not sure that I'm particularly enamored with the ME turnouts.  I'm concerned about the quality.  Out of six I bought, at least three have problems with the snap action of the points, and each turnout suffers from points that don't fit tight up to the stock rails. 

Hmm...  Wondering of FastTracks would be economical given the few turnouts you'd need.  There's always Peco but you'll have a noticeable mismatch in ties between the Peco turnouts and the ME flex.  I don't care for the Peco take on On30 track in general, but I'm sure it's up to Peco's high standards of quality and reliability.

[p51]

I was not impressed with the fragile nature of the ME track or turnouts. They look great but break easily.
If I had to do it over again, I would have likely used Peco track and turnouts instead...

[Chris333]

And here I can't stand Atlas flex  I like that ME will hold its shape and doesn't need 100 pins to hold it.

[davefoxx]

And here I can't stand Atlas flex  I like that ME will hold its shape and doesn't need 100 pins to hold it.

And a lot of people feel the same way as you, so you're not alone.  In my case, I just grew up with HO Atlas flextrack and like that I can bend a uniform radius by just flexing the track.  It was simple to switch to N scale, because Atlas N scale flextrack is worked the same way.  I only place a pushpin every three or four inches apart while the glue dries, which I also do with ME track to ensure that it's flat.  But, with ME, I have to futz with it to get rid of the kinks and then futz with the ties to get them properly spaced and straight.  I ain't got time fo' dat.    I bet I can lay Atlas flextrack in one-third to one-half of the time it would take me to install ME flex.

DFF

[davefoxx]

I was not impressed with the fragile nature of the ME track or turnouts. They look great but break easily.
If I had to do it over again, I would have likely used Peco track and turnouts instead...

I'll look into Peco, but I might consider handlaying my turnouts.  Look back at my picture.  That's a #5 turnout against an 18" radius track.  Think how much better it could be with #4s, as the radius through that #5 is not even close to the sharpness of an 18" radius.  Also, this will significantly change my trackplanning, because things that wouldn't fit with the #5s will become possible.

The only thing that holds me back is the lack of detailing.  On an N scale turnout, the lack of spikes doesn't bother me.  On an O scale turnout, it will be obvious.

DFF

[svedblen]

I ain't got time fo' dat.    I bet I can lay Atlas flextrack in one-third to one-half of the time it would take me to install ME flex.

Are you in a race?  I thought this was a hobby 

[Dave V]

#4s will clearly work better for your space.  Kinda think Fast Tracks is your best bet.  After it's all laid you can pop a few spikes in here and there for show.

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/af-on30-t-4-me83

[davefoxx]

#4s will clearly work better for your space.  Kinda think Fast Tracks is your best bet.  After it's all laid you can pop a few spikes in here and there for show.

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/af-on30-t-4-me83

@Dave Vollmer,

It's funny that you wrote this.  I was just driving home from work and was considering ordering the materials from Fast Tracks this weekend.

While I have your attention.  I'm considering designing an On30 layout that uses the entire basement space.  However, I know I will miss my N scale Seaboard System layout, if I do solely the ET&WNC.  So, because I'm made of money , did you ever consider two levels with one layout over the other?  If I did this, I was thinking On30 on the top.  That way, I could start work on it first, and it would be easier to build the N scale layout underneath later, rather than the other way around.  Also, since the N scale layout would be more ops-designed, it makes sense to be able to look down on that, i.e., reading car numbers in yards, reaching over tracks and structures to uncouple cars, etc.

I would put the On30 layout at chest level when standing, and put the N scale layout at chest height when seated (or slightly lower if clearance is an issue).

Thoughts?

DFF

[davefoxx]

Are you in a race?  I thought this was a hobby 

Because I'm generally in the office six days per week, my hobby time is limited.  So, time efficiency is a consideration.

DFF

[Missaberoad]

Also, since the N scale layout would be more ops-designed, it makes sense to be able to look down on that
DFF

Tsk Tsk... another O scale convert looking down on N scale 

Seems like a good idea to me, and would allow you to explore this passion while the fire is hot.
Just keep a collection of N scale Tuxedos for when you realize Southern is where its. at

[Dave V]

@Dave Vollmer,

It's funny that you wrote this.  I was just driving home from work and was considering ordering the materials from Fast Tracks this weekend.

While I have your attention.  I'm considering designing an On30 layout that uses the entire basement space.  However, I know I will miss my N scale Seaboard System layout, if I do solely the ET&WNC.  So, because I'm made of money , did you ever consider two levels with one layout over the other?  If I did this, I was thinking On30 on the top.  That way, I could start work on it first, and it would be easier to build the N scale layout underneath later, rather than the other way around.  Also, since the N scale layout would be more ops-designed, it makes sense to be able to look down on that, i.e., reading car numbers in yards, reaching over tracks and structures to uncouple cars, etc.

I would put the On30 layout at chest level when standing, and put the N scale layout at chest height when seated (or slightly lower if clearance is an issue).

Thoughts?

DFF

That might be your best bet.  Take it from me...cramming two layouts into one space is a difficult proposition.  If you can "stack" them, that gives you more freedom.  That said, you may need a place to store the SBD 2.0 during construction of the On30 layout.  You don't want to drop spackle, foam bits, or solder blobs on your other layout!