Quote from: garyklein on October 29, 2009, 01:21:30 PM
I am planning a small tunnel on an indoor track, so it will be easy to lift it off for service.  I would like to keep it as low as possible in order to run another  track over the top.  What do you think the steepest grade would be that will work with four cars on?  I don't have a lot of length to make my elevation.   I don't think I can keep it under 4%

Gary

Im working on a similar project (xmas display) with similar space constraints.

I found it useful to do a couple actual setups to ensure my design would even be possible.

Being an uber-novice my first trial had upwards of a 13% grade! 

But I massaged the gradient down to about 7 or 8 and its runs pretty smoothly even pulling 5 cars.

Consider that even though the 4% suggestion is not the mechanical limit....more work will be required by your loco to cover the increased load. Still being a beginner myself i'm not sure this is a long term solution with regards to its effect on the loco's motor.

Quote from: Peter O on August 29, 2009, 10:03:13 AM
Mike, I just reread you original post.

For G scale, 12 x 6 is not going to give you many options, a helix or over/under trestle is just about impossible as the gradients involved would be too much. So you are either looking at some simple design ( see http://www.thortrains.net/ for a ton of ideas).

I would suggest you perhaps downsize to On30 which is still large enough to have some visual impact, runs on HO Z-Trak and will provide a lot more options in the space you have available.

Good luck. Peter.

Many thanks on your inputs. I had a mild fear this would be the case which is why I wanted to plan it out first.

Technically I could probably extend the rise gradient to make it doable but I was always very skeptical about that steep a depression angle (~9 inches in about 3-4 feet!). I may perhaps downgrade the scale but I think ill just simplify the design. If i'm feeling brave I may try to expand the dimensions of the area (I have more room I was just trying to keep the display streamlined).

In any event I most appreciate the feedback and i'll let you guys know how it turns out. I hope this turns out to be the spark of a genuine hobby as model trains are something I have always been fascinated by since seeing the display at the Museum of Science & Industry back home in Chicago during my childhood.

Thanks Everybody.

Quote from: smcgill on August 25, 2009, 09:58:21 AM
Some times it takes a while to get a response especially in the summer months. That said. Bachmann E-Z track is usually for inside. Are you building inside or outside? That helps us as to how to direct you're questions. I started using   Xtrack It Veeeeeeeery interesting! ( It's own world) I just ended up getting the size curves I wanted , and just went out  and put them down. I just keep moving stuff around and got pieces I was missing, so It would work.It looks one way on paper but diff. outside. Good luck   Sean

Thanks for the response. I completely understand about the delay. Its a christmas display project so i'm just getting ideas early and will be surfing the boards to get tips and suggestions. But yes its INDOOR and a meager 12ft by 6ft space that i'm working with. I also understand about the difference between a digitial layout versus what you ACTUALLY end up with. Again was just trying to get a idea about materials. I think i'll just err on the side of caution and get more materials than I need.

Quote from: Joe Satnik on August 25, 2009, 12:03:27 PM
Dear Mike,

The Bachmann G track is good only for indoors.  It rusts badly outdoors. 

It's curves only come in "R1" (an LGB designation), which is close to 2 ft. radius, or ~4 ft. diameter. 

There are 12 sections/circle, or 30 degrees each.  (12 X 30 degrees = 360 degrees.) 

LGB, Aristo-craft and others make outdoor track in various radii and flex.  You would have better luck finding layout software and track libraries for those manufacturers. 

Bachmann G track is just a (small) subset of their track libraries. 

Thanks for your response also. Yeah I noticed that LGB seems to be pretty commonplace. I was just wondering if the track dimensions are interchangeable. Obviously im a wee bit of a novice but I think I have a fair idea of what I need being that my design idea is none too complex.

Again thanks for your input.

I made a quick flex track design on Right Track if anyone has that particular software and would like clarity on what im talking about. Its hard to describe in 3d other than it being a generic oval with a straight upgrade/helix downgrade at one end.

http://www.zshare.net/download/6467589047c4f049/ (.ral file)

Greetings to the board (Newbie/Beginner level enthusiast here),

I brought a 4-6-0/45mm Wonderland Flyer G-Scale last year (similar model- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6eP9tWMfy4) and would like to try some innovative layout ideas but not sure how to go about planning it, materials/extra track needed etc...

I have perused some of the software talked about on these forums (Anyrail, XTrackCAD, Atlas - Righttrack, etc...) but have yet to see anything geared to the Bachmann E-Z track specs. Are there compatible lines that I am overlooking or is it simply G-scale is as G-Scale does?  I came across this sturdy looking no frills converter: http://webpages.charter.net/dobbsp/mrr.htm. Not sure if I would be able to make a layout in another scale and simply transfer but by all means enlighten me if so. 

My basic idea is: I would like to take a generic oval and build a graduated trestle and loop back down under it in sort of a single helix structure. I feel as though I could probably do it on the fly but i'd prefer not to make the common amatuer mistake of reinventing the wheel if possible.

Any suggestions or resources would be most appreciated.