O GaugeWatch.com

I was happy to receive word from an OGaugeWatch.com reader that the Figure 8 Plus plan is under his family’s Christmas layout this year.  Here is the email with a link to a video of the layout.

Dave,

I wanted to extend a much deserved thanks. A week ago we bought the O scale Polar Express from our local hobby shop. I set it up around the tree and after a couple days my wife was bored with the standard oval track.

I searched around online, in addition to the other great information on your site, I downloaded the plans for the figure 8 plus which includes a shopping list with part numbers. I traded up to the remote switches, but other than that it’s exactly as is.

I built my train platform, ran all the wires and now we’re up and running. I can’t imagine figuring out all the parts and pieces myself. I’m not a train hobbyist (yet) so I probably wouldn’t have done anything.

Thanks again. Here’s a link to a video (I shot on my phone) of the train set up.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1306515183017

Merry Christmas,
Sean

In a subsequent email Sean told me it took him about 6.5 hours one night to build his platform and convert the oval to the Figure 8 Plus plan.  He used a green felt fabric to cover the platform because it was faster and easier than painting.

Nice work Sean!  I hope O Gauge trains under the Christmas tree will become a tradition you and your family will enjoy for years to come.  Thanks for sharing your layout.

The 5′ x 9′ Twice Around plan for Lionel FasTrack will fit nicely on a ping pong table or by extending a standard 4′ x ‘8 piece of plywood to 5′ x 9′.  This plan packs a lot of fun in a small space and making the train circle around itself before completing one lap gives the illusion of a larger track plan.

Continue to read O Gauge Layout Plans - 5' x 9' Twice Around for Lionel FasTrack

The 5′ x 9′ with Yard plan is yet another example of how elements of the Figure 8 Plus plan can be incorporated into a layout to create a double reverse loop enabling a train to easily change directions. Like the 5′ x 9′ Double Track Version 2 plan, this plan is a great choice for expanding the Figure 8 Plus plan.

The main attraction of 5′ x 9′ with Yard plan is the set of yard tracks in the lower half of the layout.  Two train operation is possible on this layout using one of Lionel’s Classic Command Control or Legacy systems or by powering the main line and yard area with two separate conventional transformers.

Continue to read O Gauge Layout Plans - 5' x 9' with Yard

The next track plans feaured in the OGaugeWatch.com Layout Plan series are a pair of double track layouts for a 5′ by 9′ space.  Both plans are a tight fit for a 5′ x 9′ train platform so a 5′6″ x 9′6″ platform is recommended.  Double track plans are great for two train operation using Lionel’s Classic Command Control or Legacy systems or by powering the inner and outer loops with two separate conventional transformers.

Continue to read O Gauge Layout Plans - 5' x 9' Double Track Plans for Lionel FasTrack

In this the 3rd post of the OGaugeWatch Layout plan series 2 variations of a Lionel FasTrack plan for a 5′ x 8′ space are presented as good examples of how a lot of operating action can be packed into a relatively small space.  5′ x 8′ plans are perfect for a ping pong table or a train platform built by adding a 1′ extension to a 4′ x 8′ piece of plywood.

The Lionel FasTrack 5′ x 8′ Version 1 plan packs a lot of operating action into a small space by incorporating into the design 2 yard tracks, a reverse loop and a passing siding.

Bring this plan to life with the addition of an industry to the upper left section near the sidings, a small town or tunnel in the upper right area and a passenger platform along the main-line or passing siding at the bottom of the plan.  A Christmas tree stand will may fit within the reversing loop making this layout a candidate for placement under the Christmas tree.

Continue to read O Gauge Layout Plans - 5' x 8' Plans for Lionel FasTrack

This is the second post in the O Gauge Layout Plan series.

The Figure 8 plan is a classic track configuration for small spaces.   The Basic Figure 8 and Figure 8 Plus layout plans are great next step options for expanding your railroad empire.

The Basic Figure 8 plan for Lionel FasTrack is perfect for a 4′ x 8′ panel of wood and makes a great starting point for later expansion as larger layout plans will incorporate the Basic Figure 8 as a design element for reversing loops.  Lionel offers a FasTrack Figure 8 Add-On Track Pack with everything needed to turn the oval of FasTrack included in Lionel starter sets into the Basic Figure 8.  Use this plan as a Christmas Tree layout by placing the tree stand in the center of one of the loops.

The Figure 8 Plus plan for Lionel FasTrack builds upon the Basic Figure 8 plan by incorporating 4 O36 switches into the design turning a Figure 8 into a double reversing loop.  While adding 4 switches (remote or manually controlled) adds significantly to the budget needed to build this plan, the added action will make running your trains much more interesting.  Like the Basic Figure 8 this plan is a great base for future expansion.  The double reversing loop is a design element found in many larger track plans.

Downloadable track plans:

• Basic Figure 8 for 4′ x 8′ Lionel FasTrack
• Figure 8 Plus for 4′ x 8′ Lionel FasTrack

Building your first Christmas layout?  Be sure to check out these posts:

• How To Build A Train Platform
• Building Your First Christmas Layout - Part 1
• Building Your First Christmas Layout - Part 2