A loop layout used all curve tracks

[mikezang]

Did anyone use all curve tracks included ME Models track?

I just designed a loop layout that used all curve tracks!

But I am very sad because I can't play it at my home:(

My tables are shorter than 3m. Do you have any idea?

[legoman666]

Part of my layout has 5 parallel curved tracks, Lego R40, ME R56, 72, 88 & 104.

[engineer003]

For your table size issue, put a right sized piece of plywood on your table. When you need the table remove the plywood. If you don't want to remove the track, use some small screws and attach the track with them.

[xboxtravis7992]

Maybe the best idea would be to scrap the table idea all together and instead build shelf units against the walls. For example this article written about HO trains discusses why a table is inefficient and takes up to much space without giving enough (http://www.layoutvision.com/id28.html). With HO trains, a common table layout can accommodate small curves such as 18" radius curves, and 22" radius curves. However, most large scale HO models run a minimum on 24" curves and run best at 30" curves, something impossible with a small table. Your problem with trying to incorporate big ME rails curves on a Lego layout is the same issue, eventually there is a point were a solid table is impractical and often impossible. Complicating the issue is that Lego trains are a big scale, meaning that realistic curves will be double the radius of the HO examples I have listed! Building a shelf against the wall is often a better choice to incorporate bigger curves without killing up available space (again this website has an example of shelf layouts in HO scale: http://www.layoutvis...lery/index.html Or perhaps these examples of O scale layouts which are similar in size to Lego trains would be a better source of inspiration: https://www.google.c...jCh3yoAWf&dpr=1). Plus once a shelf layout is built focus can be changed from running trains in endless circles (which is pretty unrealistic anyway) to running them from point A to point B and delivering passengers or cargo along the way (which could be pretty fun with Lego since we actually have an easy way of interacting with the Mini-figures, unlike most model trains were the figures are glued in place).

Edited November 16, 2015 by xboxtravis7992

[mikezang]

Maybe the best idea would be to scrap the table idea all together and instead build shelf units against the walls. For example this article written about HO trains discusses why a table is inefficient and takes up to much space without giving enough (http://www.layoutvision.com/id28.html). With HO trains, a common table layout can accommodate small curves such as 18" radius curves, and 22" radius curves. However, most large scale HO models run a minimum on 24" curves and run best at 30" curves, something impossible with a small table. Your problem with trying to incorporate big ME rails curves on a Lego layout is the same issue, eventually there is a point were a solid table is impractical and often impossible. Complicating the issue is that Lego trains are a big scale, meaning that realistic curves will be double the radius of the HO examples I have listed! Building a shelf against the wall is often a better choice to incorporate bigger curves without killing up available space (again this website has an example of shelf layouts in HO scale: http://www.layoutvis...lery/index.html Or perhaps these examples of O scale layouts which are similar in size to Lego trains would be a better source of inspiration: https://www.google.c...jCh3yoAWf&dpr=1). Plus once a shelf layout is built focus can be changed from running trains in endless circles (which is pretty unrealistic anyway) to running them from point A to point B and delivering passengers or cargo along the way (which could be pretty fun with Lego since we actually have an easy way of interacting with the Mini-figures, unlike most model trains were the figures are glued in place).

Thanks for your idea! My room is in 3.25x2.55m, I tried to put some tables as below:

http://upload.brickshelf.com/gallery/mikezang/Layouts/img_0529.png

http://upload.brickshelf.com/gallery/mikezang/Layouts/img_0530.png

http://upload.brickshelf.com/gallery/mikezang/Layouts/img_0531.png

http://upload.brickshelf.com/gallery/mikezang/Layouts/img_0532.png

http://upload.brickshelf.com/gallery/mikezang/Layouts/img_0533.png

But your suggestion let me try to create a new design as below:

http://upload.brickshelf.com/gallery/mikezang/Layouts/img_0538.png

Which one is better?

Edited November 17, 2015 by mikezang

[xboxtravis7992]

Yeah I'm really liking the last one. You could trim the table in the bottom right corner and use the wood to connect the tables in the upper right corner. You could then create a lift out bridge to connect the tables in the bottom right corner. Looks like you'll have enough space for a small workbench/storage area in the lower left corner, and you might have enough room to include a staging/fiddle yard (a small area hidden from view of the rest of the layout, where you can put trains on and off the layout) on the layout. You could put the staging yard on the table on the bottom left corner, for ease of access.

[THERIZE]

A fun way to make your layout bigger is making bridges! I plan to make an arch bridge over both sides of my room so I have maximum space for LEGO.

[mikezang]

Yeah I'm really liking the last one. You could trim the table in the bottom right corner and use the wood to connect the tables in the upper right corner. You could then create a lift out bridge to connect the tables in the bottom right corner. Looks like you'll have enough space for a small workbench/storage area in the lower left corner, and you might have enough room to include a staging/fiddle yard (a small area hidden from view of the rest of the layout, where you can put trains on and off the layout) on the layout. You could put the staging yard on the table on the bottom left corner, for ease of access.

I don't think that I can cut my tables:) they look like

[dr_spock]

With the right tools any table can be cut. You may not want to if it is a nice table or spent a lot on it. You could buy a piece of wood to fill the gap or build a LEGO lift bridge like Marook's.

[Alletklaro]

maybe you don´t have to cut a table. just fill the gap between the two table at the top end.

[mikezang]

maybe you don´t have to cut a table. just fill the gap between the two table at the top end.

That gap is not a problem, I can use a baseplate to cover it.

[xboxtravis7992]

With the right tools any table can be cut. You may not want to if it is a nice table or spent a lot on it. You could buy a piece of wood to fill the gap or build a LEGO lift bridge like Marook's.

A bridge does sound like a good solution, especially seeing that the tables are pre-made (and cutting them might ruin them). The bridge can be easily removed, to allow access to the center layout.

[Ashi Valkoinen]

A little shorter idea, it needs less length by two standard straight track segments:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/AshiValkoinen/BuildingTricks/all_curves_ashiv.png

[mikezang]

A little shorter idea, it needs less length by two standard straight track segments:

http://www.brickshel...urves_ashiv.png

Can you share me your bbm file?

[Ashi Valkoinen]

Truly said I didn't save the .bbm file, because it was just a draft... but following this image you can reproduce it in less then 5 minutes.

(If you are looking for the coloured track segments for different radius, look up for TrackSchematic-v.1.1., it's a quite nice addition to Bluebrick. I found it in the LEGO Train Fan Club facebook group, but I can't remember who made it and when the post occured to the group.)

[zephyr1934]

(If you are looking for the coloured track segments for different radius, look up for TrackSchematic-v.1.1., it's a quite nice addition to Bluebrick. I found it in the LEGO Train Fan Club facebook group, but I can't remember who made it and when the post occured to the group.)

Michael Gale made that library and it can be found here.

[FreeBee]

Even Smaller

[mikezang]

Even Smaller

Is this size about 3.2m X 1.6m ?

[FreeBee]

about 7 bij 10 baseplates so approx.175 cm x 250 cm