This is a link to pictures of my current layout; now remember when the kid leaves this summer He takes the couch and I get the whole room. It can hold about a 9 foot by 13 foot 6 inch table. That why I have been looking and asking about bigger layouts and bigger radius curves.    http://pbckt.com/sL.Rq3

How do i post a picture on the form?

Thanks again for all the great impute. Old Timer I will see if i can post some pics of what I have now and you guys can make suggestions on what to do. I am moving my last kid out in the summer so I will have more money, time and space for a different layout that was why I was looking at my old layout books. I may just make some big changes to what I have. Thanks again guys for all the help.
T. Ford

OK, I have been running a fairly large layout that has a double loop with no yard space to speak of. I  now think I am ready for a more complicated layout. I have been looking at the Atlas HO 36 the Oregon Pass Lines. With all that said here is my question; have any of you more experienced modelers done this layout or something similar and the book I have only shows wiring for DC. Any DCC suggestions?

Thanks, looks like they would be easy to use.

jward or ABC were do you get these radius gauges?

That's the real question; is it a question of realistic or is a question of trains wont run. i would think that if a 18" radius was to small for most trains to run on then why would most hobby stores carry more 18" stuff than other sizes and why would most train sets come with 18" radius track?

I have read alot of posts about min radius; My question is this. When someone says that a 22" min radius will work best for a specific engine or specific length passenger car are they talking about realistic appearances or are they saying the engine or car won't work at all? 

I soldered three pieces together and two curved great and the last piece in the run would not curve in the same direction. So I assume there must be one rail that curves and one that does not.

I have several ? about connecting flex track. Do you have to remove one of the ties to get the rail joiners to fit? When curving the track does it matter which side of the track you put on the inside of the radius?

I will try to put a copy of my layout on here, as always, thanks for the help so far

Mr. ABC,
yes the two main lines are the same track, they cross over each other with a grade; the layout is one continuous loop.

Two tracks running in opposite directions

       l  l  l
       l\ l  l
       l \l  l
       l  l  l
       l  l  l 
       l  \  l
       l   \ l
       l     l
       l     l
I hope this helps (neat idea about drawing with characters) the center track is the siding and the two outside tracks are main lines in opposite directions.

I have installed a siding between two tracks running in the opposite direction. I was hoping to use this siding to change the direction of the trains. I ended up with a short; so I isolated the siding supplied separate power leads and still have a short. Do I need to install a reversing module and if I do; do I have to install a booster in line with the reversing module? Oh ya I am running Bachmann E-Z Comand DCC.

I have the Bachmann DCC set that came with the FTA and have had no problems that I didn't cause my self. I am new at this so I have had a few self inflicted derailments and while running 3 trains at the same time, a few crashes.