Shawn
Hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing
For a long time have been thinking about adding another loop to my layout but was not willing to pay the price in track. I settled for one loop and I am completely happy with it. Now my 3 year old operates the trains on his own with no problems. He also wants me to run a train with him. He would use track power with the train engineer while I used my battery. It works out great when we are watching the trains but when he gets side tracked he forgets to watch the train and well we all know what happens. So The second loop plan was revisted.
Then the other day I was looking at my layout and thinking how could I add a second loop without having to buy much track. I started looking at my new logging extension and my original track plan (Phase 1) from when I first built the layout. Then thats when it hit me. I decided that I would go to my loop I had when I first started out (phase 1). All it would require is a few sections of curves. The outer loop would incorperate the new logging extension as well as phase two of my layout. This required about 12 ft of track. I already had 8ft left over from my last project. Anyway for those that are confused here is my current track plan and then my new one.
Current
New (red line is original layout phase 1)
(green is outer loop, right is Phase two and left is logging extension)
(blue will connect both loops and is part of current track plan)
I got all the track bent and fitted. I started to build the front wall and raise to track level. The inner loop is hooked up. The only problem I ran into was the connecter for the inner and outer loops (blue line). I need a why to do the connection. A regular switch makes the curve to tight on inner loop. I have to look at the other end and see if I can make it work. For now inner loop is operational and might stay as an independent loop.
Where inner loop was going to connect outer. (changed to other side)
Track was added for inner loop.
I spent finishing the trackwork etc... Only have to isolate the inner loop to the outer loop connecter and then add a seperate power to the outer loop. For now I have both loops using the same power pack.
The new track layed with rock wall. New track is on the outside.
Need to add another trestle. Poor Mr Russell lost some of his property.
View of where the new track (outer Loop) joins the yard area and the old inner loops curves back to the tunnel.
The connecter from the inner loop to the outer loop. I really like the way this came out with the little grade going up to the upper loop also the (logging extension)
Then the other day I was looking at my layout and thinking how could I add a second loop without having to buy much track. I started looking at my new logging extension and my original track plan (Phase 1) from when I first built the layout. Then thats when it hit me. I decided that I would go to my loop I had when I first started out (phase 1). All it would require is a few sections of curves. The outer loop would incorperate the new logging extension as well as phase two of my layout. This required about 12 ft of track. I already had 8ft left over from my last project. Anyway for those that are confused here is my current track plan and then my new one.
Current
New (red line is original layout phase 1)
(green is outer loop, right is Phase two and left is logging extension)
(blue will connect both loops and is part of current track plan)
I got all the track bent and fitted. I started to build the front wall and raise to track level. The inner loop is hooked up. The only problem I ran into was the connecter for the inner and outer loops (blue line). I need a why to do the connection. A regular switch makes the curve to tight on inner loop. I have to look at the other end and see if I can make it work. For now inner loop is operational and might stay as an independent loop.
Where inner loop was going to connect outer. (changed to other side)
Track was added for inner loop.
I spent finishing the trackwork etc... Only have to isolate the inner loop to the outer loop connecter and then add a seperate power to the outer loop. For now I have both loops using the same power pack.
The new track layed with rock wall. New track is on the outside.
Need to add another trestle. Poor Mr Russell lost some of his property.
View of where the new track (outer Loop) joins the yard area and the old inner loops curves back to the tunnel.
The connecter from the inner loop to the outer loop. I really like the way this came out with the little grade going up to the upper loop also the (logging extension)
nice to see your kids are getting involve with your Railroad mine have now grown out of playing trains but they do love to see a good crash 
