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so basically i should work out which switch will give me the greatest capacity? I assume by fowling area, you mean places where the train is still "overhaning" the track and not over the middle to couple? I wish i had put that into account when i made my layout, lol, because i have trouble...

Yep! DC powered trains need DC powered tracks. all of these brands are compatible. all DC requires is two rails that are of the opposite polarity.

I dont know to much about the Roco GP40. I'm sure its fine though. the best altnerative in my opinion is an Athearn GP40. Maybe atlas if you want alittle bit of a nicer model. Marklin track won't work, because its AC. bachmann track is probably DC. HO AC and HO DC run with two different...

Well,i got the #4s, and i had no problem running my largest trains through. the worst was the Challenger i have, but thats only because the cab swung far out from the tender. Everything else looks fine and runs fine through it. If i just use these to increase space in staging, I don't think...

Oh, yeah, i didn't really explain anything. thats what happens when you're not awake, lol. anyways, The upper portion is supposed to be an automobile transfer facility. I've got it so that i has a yard and a reasonable amount of space for 4-5 autoracks. There is a crossover in there that i...

I've seriously been considering modeling one of these GP30 rebuild units, even though it is outside the realm of what i usually model. lol, they must feel like half the train they used to be...:p

Yeah, that makes sense, i'll start sketching the staging level to see how it works out. I did just hooked up my autorack to my SD80MAC, and it seemed to work through the #5s. I think i want to test some other stuff, but since the autorack is the largest car that will be used, i'm sure it will...

I have to admit i'm having a hard time visualizing it, but you did that math so i'm going to assume it works. What you describe seems to fit my goal. I envisioned. when you say oval helix, do you mean directly under the current oval going around the layout as it goes down? I'll try to...

I think i'll mix the two. The red track i think will have to take an immediate dive into a helix. The blue track though i think i can slowly transition it down then get it into a helix under the automobile transfer facility at the top. Hopefully though i can get longer staging tracks then just 5...

I think its about 11 feet long, using 36" curves on the outside, 34" on the inside. The actual table is longer under the autorack yard, so there is more space going that way, so i might be able to get a helix or something down there, atleast for the blue track. Here is an example of what i'm...

My original layout is 4x8. the total area of that picture is actually 8' by 14' (which is convenient because my track template was scalled 1"=1'. Anything you see there is open for a model railroad to be build on. You can see the corner of my original layout up at the top left. This...

Figure i'd ressurect this. This is the plan i've been working on.

Here is the track plan so far. Only the upper regions seem definite. The lower left side is totally up for grabs, I figure its about where the lower curve is that i want to start trying to get down to a staging yard. any thoughts on how to do this?

I think the hardes part is just attaching the motor shaft to the drive train. there are plenty of good modern motors that can work for you application. You just need to find a way to hook the motor up. I don't know how you'd dissassemble that locomotive to get to the motor. If you can...

I used hydrocal. I will say its probably better to use the smooth it. For me at least, it was tough getting the roads level. There are still dips in my pavement i don't like. Its also messy. if you know smooth it works, stick to that. I've seen people use scuplta-mold for the grade...

lol, a GP40-2! It seems so out of place, lol. I love the industrial section. I only wonder if you mainline is supposed to pass through there? that looks like a tough spot in that last picture to get a good radius in.

I used an old Mehano freight car with large flanges to make the wheel grooves. I find that using tools or plastic strips leave an unrealistically deep and clean cut flangeway. I also held the car to one rail, then the other. Once the road material dried, i test ran equipment through it until...

To be honest with you, i really think you are misinterpreting your problem. :cry: Its not the locomotives you should be concerned about, its your track. As others have mentioned, many 6 axle locomotives will still run through 18"r curves. I've even played with a AC4400CW and got it to run. If...

THats what i was thinking. Now i just need to figure out how to include it. yeah, the pink bus is actually a bermuda bus. If you have ever gone there, the whole island has these pink and blue buses that take you all over. They are like, characteristic of bermuda. I figured that would be a...

Yeah, i know, i'm good at what i do! You're not the first person to be shocked to find out how small my layout actually is. Thats why i chose an urban setting, so that you never really see the whole thing at any one time. good work with the fire escapes. reminds me of things i have to do! so...