http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog daily 0.75 2023-08-30 http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2023/8/29/installing-blunami-in-lego-trains monthly 0.5 2024-02-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/dc577a15-9450-4f1b-bc35-c3c85ed788a5/329195985_1854641021565606_7911447332766380994_n.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Make it stand out A pair of Blunami-equipped L-gauge locomotives lead a freight train through Germantown station on the LGMS layout at the Great Scale Model Train Show in Timonium, Maryland. Train by me, station by Eric S. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/e2d1a9be-6095-466e-9284-276f62ddf3d4/20240116_180315.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Make it stand out The Southern locomotive (with two Train Motors) will receive a 2200 board, and the black locomotive (with two L Motors) that has yet to receive its decals will have a 4408 installed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/8882cbfd-ae6a-4ee2-bb86-d41a81f3d6f5/20240116_180358.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Make it stand out You can see through the locomotive to the table below, plenty of space for wires to pass through! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451726914-ZE80RN1J36L1EPBLWU6F/20240116_180508.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Carefully cutting the plastic wrap around the 9-pin wiring harness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451745325-YX71ZRRNIZ1P28L54VVE/20240116_180639.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Plastic cut away, now to carefully remove the wiring harness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451778748-LG39OZK2Z0J0DF2Y2149/20240116_180820.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Wiring harness removed, now fetch your Bludaptr board and included 9-pin ribbon wire https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451789495-1M3VYJP2OFVPCO9P9M6P/20240116_180926.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - All plugged in! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1707680396138-AZAXWACLIN4NM16HNQZM/PFpinout.png Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1707680396138-XBGN8646DXIJDGK8263V/PUpinout.png Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451906521-7542S7BUZ5MJP4QPZI49/20240116_181106.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Cutting a spare PF wire in half https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451911299-608X8BW5NHYNQOW8OWTU/20240116_181142.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Separating the four wires on the PF cable https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451941689-1M9W65CJDIGMW16S06EN/20240116_181240.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - I cut away the excess of the outer wires to ensure they won't interfere with screwing in the inner wires https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451926149-FXAPFW9PC0VA5K6TVU0G/20240116_181353.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Inner wires stripped https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451993123-0BGDZ0ZV1KMFKID9OATW/20240116_181651.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Diagram for where all the wires need to screw in https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705451999114-767P2U0589TRFJXDJQCS/20240116_182156.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Screwing in the wires https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452004905-PGZO06RFHU5S3KSMUJU6/20240116_182425.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - All screwed in, almost ready to roll! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452178501-Y5SUT46H79X9XS3LTT7B/20240116_182717.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Speaker and housing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452169759-0Q5UB3OQEAOKKKHLVX1F/20240116_182659.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Hold the wire in the cutout on the side of the box and press-fit your speaker in https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452189437-2A8KNLXY8JUD7ZCTVUKX/20240116_182831.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Mount the speaker underneath the locomotive, and run the speaker wire up through the top. You may wish to tape the wire to the speaker housing to ensure it doesn't drag and catch on something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452147824-SZKS8C5I00286PPXRN50/20240116_182558.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Cutting away the plastic around the 4-pin wiring harness https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452173822-J59FXWGW70TL53CQEDZE/20240116_182710.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - 4-pin wiring harness removed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452199014-VFB7XI4S7XLZQY0LH53S/20240116_183000.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - The speaker plug meeting the Blunami board https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452208269-0TOW3CC1TYLAN61N8STN/20240116_183101.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Speaker plug goes in the INNER two pins of the 4-pin socket https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/dea76ac7-b1a4-436e-b93c-57d39b68e202/20240116_183528.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Make it stand out Note that I am using a Power Functions polarity switch to allow the two train motors to move in the same direction at the same time. The “F” on the battery helps me keep track of which battery is which, same as if they were numbered. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/c2c377e5-05c4-4755-b169-84c1bfb24a24/IMG_0001.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452556836-O17WBNVLVEVEW7IKY6BY/IMG_0002.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452556554-AOS9YJXI96AKNWSIITNK/IMG_0003.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452666146-IUSX6IESGIU951N4GGXH/IMG_0004.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705452666146-5495FCDN1UNNRVAM2QF1/IMG_0005.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1c3bcb2a-7b93-448b-a1b5-274fa87ed219/20240116_184131.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705453126673-X3VH7JBAWR05QJ29Y57I/20240116_184630.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705453127006-IZQX823LCPXBOHX9J6RP/20240116_190004.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/b26f808c-0217-4e0f-9359-cc8a7b9e48d9/20240116_191015.jpg Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705453322449-09A8U9884VWLTQ3OZWCH/IMG_0006.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705453284833-LQ2MSHB7OY2IDL3956ZL/IMG_0008.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1705453320329-R72I5RW91AJK7WZMZ35O/IMG_0010.PNG Workshop - Installing Blunami in LEGO® Trains http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2023/7/2/how-i-build-my-l-gauge-modular-system-table-risers monthly 0.5 2023-07-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/7a46502b-9f3b-4dd1-b772-20020ce14da0/20230610_141820.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out To build your LGMS table risers, you will need: some 1 & 1/4” PVC pipe, 1 & 1/4” PVC caps (I forgot to take a photograph before I connected the caps to the pipe sections) some 1/4-20 threaded rivet nuts, some 1/4-20 threaded adjustable foot inserts, a PVC cutting tool, a power drill with a 23/64 drill bit, and some superglue. I will provide links to these items at the bottom of this article. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/47f5bdc8-5908-485b-b1f4-92e08f22744b/20230610_135046.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/5cce4688-f74a-42d0-9794-b8ede7d2b7a1/20230610_135058.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/9db42360-4830-4ba8-a361-cf8f30a676df/20230610_135202.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/649a168c-7d5f-45ec-8801-742146eb714d/20230610_135249.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/747dc8ff-aae8-43ff-893f-8cda7a465720/20230610_135357.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/b4909277-2e81-427d-bd46-94beec6609a5/20230610_141933.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/ecb7621e-0bbe-4eca-bef9-ac9a8db140d2/20230610_135515.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/623f0222-9a6d-45b1-bcc9-d7443b9d33ed/20230610_140531.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/e43bc127-2be4-4238-b2cb-9391926cf245/20230610_142058.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/e4a623e7-3f39-43c0-ad45-c4f715d64c99/20230610_142950.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/9c8827c8-0344-4d1d-afb0-a62bf19bd9b5/20230610_143019.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/bc70ad3b-62ca-45b5-969e-febe4440c545/20230610_204451.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/5bd89184-bbdf-4023-b0eb-d5f142c1f6ff/20230610_204703.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/ccb7e62b-6a50-488a-a416-7e6541cb2de8/20230610_205538.jpg Workshop - How I Build My L-Gauge Modular System Table Risers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2020/6/1/using-lipo-batteries monthly 0.5 2020-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1591034453602-E6RXI6A27KWQJWMBKLXG/20200601_134700.jpg Workshop - Using LiPo Batteries with LEGO® Trains The equipment I use to run Lithium Polymer batteries with my LEGO® trains. From top-to-bottom, left-to-right: The LEGO® Train itself (of course), a reputable battery charger, a custom-soldered Power Functions to JST battery lead, a LiPo battery (yellow) that is plugged into a Low Battery Alarm (red circuit board with green lights) and a “fireproof” bag to store the batteries when they are charging or not in use. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1591069303164-5EQ8TZJ2ULCS2GDCXEB6/image-asset.png Workshop - Using LiPo Batteries with LEGO® Trains My first attempt at using a LiPo battery with one of my trains. As you can see, the battery was MUCH too large! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1591034576390-MVYPBBLHWJBO7DZ2L56E/20200601_135005.jpg Workshop - Using LiPo Batteries with LEGO® Trains The larger battery in the back is the first LiPo battery I purchased. It turned out to be much too large and much too powerful. The large cables leading to the yellow plug coming out of the 2200mAh battery are XT60 leads, which are MUCH thicker wires than Power Functions cables, and therefore not easy to bend around. The smaller battery in the foreground is one of the batteries I use now. Notice how small it is, barely six studs long not including cable leads, a little over 3 bricks high, and barely two studs wide. It will easily fit inside most MOCs, and the cables are thin enough that they can be easily manipulated to cram into your builds. The multicolored wires leading to the white plug on each battery are the “balance” leads, which allow the charger or the low battery alarm to determine how much charge is contained within each cell of the battery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1591068663356-MS2XTFKB0E8SC77Q8RAS/IMG_20200601_232705.jpg Workshop - Using LiPo Batteries with LEGO® Trains The process of making a custom battery lead involves cutting apart a Power Functions extension cable and soldering it to a JST battery plug. The one I’m making in the picture is very short, but I do have some longer ones. On a Power Functions plug seen on the right with the cable going left, the bottom wire is the Hot wire, and the top wire is the Ground. The two center wires are for control signals to be sent to the motors, and are not needed for making a battery lead. After soldering the wires together, tape them up, taking special care to ensure that there’s no way any of the bare wires could accidentally touch each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1591034670474-YN7IJEG37WOATIVGW878/20200601_135211.jpg Workshop - Using LiPo Batteries with LEGO® Trains Here is the battery, low battery alarm, and battery lead all crammed into the body of one of my locomotives. Not visible are the two Power Functions “L” motors, and the IR receiver. http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2018/12/27/track-planning-for-lego-trains-part-4 monthly 0.5 2020-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535837992555-YY4IBLVKP4U3BRCPF8EQ/30x60layout1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535838350105-KRUQA654B6D02UYTTLAL/30x60layoutgrid.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout Note how on the curves, the 16x16 baseplates in each corner do not actually have track on them. You COULD place a small build in such a corner, but remember that the train will overhang the tracks by a couple of studs on the curves! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545704409568-IL23KU5GKRWPU1UF5TLN/30x60layoutbaseplates.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout Dark Gray baseplates are roads, the 16x32 plates underneath the tracks represent grade crossings. The tan baseplates are buildings, such as the Modular series. The green baseplates represent free space for other builds, such as some scenery in the form of foliage (although note that the corners touching the tracks will need to be clear). The white space is effectively unusable as it’s too close to the tracks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545706690429-6WOXVAA8EZ5XV2OPH07R/TwoTables1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Table Layouts - Square 1 This layout offers a balance between train and town. The light gray baseplate represents an old container crane set from the 9 Volt era, but for modern purposes, it can represent the cargo terminal that comes with the new sets such as 60052. Be aware that this layout design assumes we can access the layout from all sides, suggesting the layout is in the middle of a room, as opposed to up against the wall. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545706690437-O1N9KOIRV28DF9ZRKV4P/TwoTables2.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Table Layouts - Square 2 This layout gives us a second siding to play with, as well as a less complicated roadway setup, which means we have more room for our modular buildings. In the lower right, the tracks pass over the corner of the curved road baseplate. This is fine, but it may be advisable to “shim” up the tracks on either side of the baseplate corner by sticking plates underneath the tracks, smoothing out the lift in the curve from going over the road baseplate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545706691073-6CJV3655YJHY7PRJ66U4/TwoTables4.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Table Layouts - Square 3 This layout has two long-ish storage sidings along one side of the layout, as well as an industrial siding in the middle. Be aware that the crane controls may be difficult for a child to reach, since they are a bit further into the table than the crane on the first layout. I have shown some green baseplates to highlight the potential of the upper right corner for scenery, but if you intend to play with the crane, you won’t want anything in the way that could get easily broken. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545706691006-IDGGPCSBSXMAWP1VJK20/TwoTables3.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Table Layouts - Square 4 Moving away from showing the roadways and buildings for a moment, this layout shows how two independent loops can fit in our square table space. If we use custom crossovers, trains from the outside loop can be switched over and parked on the siding connected to the inside loop. If we didn’t use custom crossovers, the inside loop would be shrunk considerably to accommodate the space required for a crossover built of standard switches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545712631138-KJ33WVHKHWHXN6KWKANE/LongLayout3.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Table Layouts - Long 1 While this setup would require a lot of straight track, the advantage is that everything is easily accessible from the front of the layout, so the top edge in this picture could be up against a wall. Two stub-end sidings are included for operational interest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545712560089-WV34CT1U6CJ9VAXPUAZB/Lshapelayout1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Table Layouts - "L" Shape 1 The keen eye will notice that the curve in the center of the photo overhangs the table slightly. I have set up layouts like this before without issue, although I would recommend using some plate bricks to strengthen the track joints that hang over the floor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545712560109-9ZFO64A28JH6P79A2713/Lshapelayout2.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Table Layouts - "L" Shape 2 This layout eliminates the track overhanging the edge of the table on the corner, and by using a custom-curve switch and a 90-degree crossover track, we can have an industrial siding for our container crane. Also note that this table potentially allows two people to enjoy the layout together: one person can run the train on the main loop, and the other can play with the cargo crane and other road vehicles in the empty space around the cargo crane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545712560570-RRTB2Z2WMC0KRF0I8JDH/Lshapelayout3.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Three Table Layout - Fat "L" Shape I’ve added a third table to this layout, which allows for a longer mainline run, as well as more table space for buildings and scenery (although note that it may be a tricky reach to get to the center of the square part of the setup). By once again using some custom-curve switches and a 90 degree crossover track, we can use the entire third table for a good-sized freight yard, with four sidings and space in the middle for our cargo crane and other freight car loading/unloading machinery. And again, this layout could be enjoyed by multiple people, with one person running a train on the continuous loop at left, and the other loading and unloading cargo in the freight yard at right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545708244964-QQ5VEJQ2940HWBJ0514A/LED1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Layout Design Element #1 This LDE consists of a train station with passing siding and two stub-end sidings, a common prototype arrangement for a small station. We can park a passenger train on the passing siding, and use our freight train to pick up or drop off freight cars on the stub-end sidings. Given that the size of this LDE was non-negotiable, we built the layout around it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545708970140-9CCSFUR3IOQ0KVWVA077/LDE2.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Layout Design Element #2 This LDE consists of an “H” shape of baseplates, representing some hills around and over the tracks, which tunnel through the center of the H. Once again, the dimensions of our imagined tunnel hill build are non-negotiable, so we must work it into the layout without changing its geometry. The top-right layout has an especially small loop for the space available, and unlike our other example layouts, the modular buildings and roadway are OUTSIDE the circle of track, which could make them easier to play with. On the bottom layout, the tunnel serves as a scene divider (an element that divides the layout into two distinct viewing sections). The left side could be the City side, while the right side could be something else entirely, with the gray baseplate representing a space base or a castle, for instance. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545710219156-T0NCN1HBFP83HGP2JSHL/LDE3.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Layout Design Element #3 For this LDE, let’s say you have a large collection of Modular buildings that you want to show off. Unlike our previous two, THIS design element is a negotiable size; as long as we fit as many buildings as possible (represented by the tan baseplates) then the criteria is met. Two examples are shown, the top one including an interesting roadway arrangement to allow for more of the “corner” buildings, while the bottom layout is less intricate, and shows off all the buildings in a single line next to one another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545710328158-VCEC4VR3NTB75CED7804/LDE4.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - All 3 Layout Design Elements This layout (which require four tables) makes use of all three of our layout design elements: the train station with sidings, the tunnel hill, and the ample display of Modular buildings. There’s even some space left over for light scenery, as well as our castle or space base in the upper left corner! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545762659956-0O7U3F3RNKLI0FTMZWFA/RoomFit1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Room Fitting #1 - Square Layout If we use our two tables as a square, we find that even though the tables themselves use up less than a quarter of the available room space, the need for aisleways all around the layout for access means not much else could go in this bedroom. One may be tempted to push the square into a corner, but getting to anything far from the accessible edges would be a difficult reach, even for me, and I’m six feet tall! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545762659984-7652S8M0P7XH5U05T0E9/RoomFit2.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Room Fitting #2 - Long Layout With our two tables up against the wall, the room really opens up! There’s plenty of space for a bed, chest of drawers, and a computer or writing desk. Despite the fact that two sides of the layout are against walls, because our reach-in is no more than 30 inches (76cm) we can still get to everything on the tables without a stretch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545762660828-LNK0MW3LIUX35WFAKSV0/RoomFit3.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Room Fitting #3 - L Shape Layout The L Shape layout fits nicely in a corner of the room, and there is still space left over for a bed and chest of drawers, and perhaps a desk if it’s small enough. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545762661244-7WIHLUUORR9WOYLMFODV/RoomFit4.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Room Fitting #4 - Whole Room Layout If you’re fortunate enough that you can use an entire spare bedroom for Lego trains, this is an example of what could be possible. We’re up to six tables, and there’s plenty of space for a long track setup, a good sized Lego city, perhaps a freight yard, and other themed areas like a Castle or Space section. Note that even with six tables, there’s still plenty of aisleway on all non-walled sides of the layout, so there still isn’t anything that’s going to be a difficult reach-in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545783918987-VEVMNBZG7CZ8TXUD6CAM/P1210154.JPG Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - View Block #1 - Auto Train Terminal This module of the Northeast N-Trak layout shows an Auto Train terminal. Along the back of the model is a ‘View Block’ in the form of a piece of wood painted sky blue with a few hills and trees painted where the view block and the layout surface meet. The view block, also called a “backdrop” helps keep the realism of the scene by blocking the view of the storage boxes and controls on the other side. In other cases, there could be another area of the layout on the other side, so having the “view block” prevents us from seeing the entire layout at once. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545783904390-SBGMC3XWN36IV3W8PIZH/P1210240.JPG Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - View Block #2 - Scenery Abutment This award-winning module of the NMRA “Hub Division” has some stellar scenery, which adjoins the view block, disguising the transition from 3D scenery to 2D scenery. Note the clouds painted on the backdrop to break up the monotony of the sky blue paint. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545783842427-XBW0FE6LH72GLKMQT532/P1210666.JPG Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - View Block #3 - Flat Buildings This module on the Central New York Modelers layout shows some industrial buildings right up against the backdrop. Note that some of the buildings are almost “flat,” rather than three-dimensional. They stick out only one or two inches from the view block to, once again, help disguise the transition from 3D to 2D scenery. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545783951636-2MKQXRR2N150E2LJNOF8/P1210337.JPG Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - View Block #4 -Hidden Staging In the background of this image of the Tobacco Valley Railroad club, we see some hidden “staging” tracks behind the view block. Much like the “backstage” area in a theater, this is where the train “actors” wait to come “onstage” to the regular layout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545946922988-P0XZ7SMNDGXP7JUMTO2T/shelflayoutstyle1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Shelf Layout #1 This is a shelf-style layout, a very common type of layout in Europe. In smaller scales, this track configuration could easily fit on a bookshelf, however in our larger L gauge, we still need two tables to fit in both the tracks and the scenery. On the left is a hidden staging yard, also called a “fiddle” yard, behind the view block marked with a blue line. Here, the operator at the top of the layout can place trains on the track and switch them around out-of-sight of the layout viewer at bottom. Once the train is ready, it rolls through a hole in the view block to the visible portion of the layout. The train does its work (likely picking up and dropping off cars in sidings, or stopping at the station) and then returns through the hole to the staging tracks hidden behind the view block. This layout assumes you will have access to all sides of the layout, however in a pinch, the view block across the bottom left can be lowered so you can reach over it to fiddle with the trains in staging. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545946921559-PUM4A4OHPNT1ZXEQMW8W/Timesaver.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Shelf Layout #2 - Timesaver This track plan follows a similar concept to the last design, with hidden staging on the left, and the train arriving through a hole in the view block (which can be disguised as a tunnel, or perhaps hidden by scenery). The visible track plan is a version of the “Timesaver” switching game track plan, in which the goal of the game is to complete the switching of freight cars as quickly as possible, or in as few moves as possible. The orange numbers refer to how many pieces of rolling stock (for this game, all rolling stock should be of equal length) can fit on each track. We’ll cover more on how to play the Timesaver game in a future installment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545946923037-30TC8FYXEB72WZHP8MGP/hiddenstaging2.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Hidden Staging This 5’x10’ layout (1.52m x 3.04m) features a city area with station and cargo crane, as well as a roadway and a line of modular buildings. Just along the back of the modular buildings is the blue line representing the View Block. Like on our shelf layout, we have hidden staging tracks behind the view block. A train can enter the layout on the left (hole in the view block is obscured by a roadway overpass) or from the right (hole disguised as a tunnel portal with greenery around it) and either stop in town to do some work, or simply run laps around the complete circle. Again, this plan assumes you have access to all sides of the layout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545946921956-STBFGDCNOLBHMF68TDFU/doubletrack4table.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Visible Staging This layout is of a similar concept as the Hidden Staging layout, except that we have two complete & independent loops of track, each with their own siding at the top of the plan. This layout would easily suit 4 trains, with each loop hosting a running train and a parked train on the siding. There are also custom-cut crossovers at the bottom of the plan, along with an industrial stub-end siding for our cargo crane. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545946922571-WZE9CNQA6EJTPU9M5BPD/oldbookplan.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Two Loops in a Smaller Space This three-table setup is an interpretation of the track plan from an old model train book called How to Run a Railroad. We have two independent loops, each with their own industrial sidings. Note the grade crossing over the inner loop track. Once again we use custom-cut crossovers to connect the two loops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545946921560-BA7OGTELCLOC8BG00EP1/Ushaped.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - U-Shaped Layout Expanding back up to 5’x10’ again, but this time with only three tables! the center of the layout has room for modular buildings and a roadway that is easier to play on because there are no tracks in the way! The left side of the layout has an industrial siding, while the right side has a small storage yard for extra railroad cars. This layout could easily be flipped 180 degrees and squeeze into the bottom of our sample bedroom area in the segment above. Because there is no need to reach further than 30” to access the trains, one could have walls around the outside of the layout, and operate it comfortably from a position in the middle of the U. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545946922118-UETENBVAMG8PE0U6MBBG/blackriverjunction.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Brick River Junction This track plan (which uses several custom-cut switches and a 90-degree crossing track) is based on the Black River Junction plan as featured by Model Railroader magazine. In the lower left, we have four visible staging tracks, two for each of the railroads that serve the layout. The trains from the left sidings (1) can run the full loop of the layout, while trains from the right sidings (2) cross the outer loop and arrive at the inner sidings where they can switch cars among the industrial sidings. The track marked (3) connects the two loops so each railroad may access the others track, or simply interchange cars with each other. Once again, we’ll cover interchange operations in a future installment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1545947889485-CCCCT22ZSS3D6QIS0A1U/EntireRoomExample.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 4: Planning Your Layout - Entire Room Plan In the section on fitting a layout into the room, I gave an example of how six tables could take up most of the available space (while still leaving room for aisleways). Here is an example track plan for that six-table idea. The upper left side of the plan has a complete circle of track, with a branch line breaking off in the middle of the city area (remember our color code that tan baseplates = buildings). The branch line travels along to the bottom of the plan, where there is a passing siding with two industrial stub-end sidings. The branch line then continues up into the right side of the layout, through a tunnel, and then turns on a reversing loop (which could be surrounded by another Lego theme) before returning back around the bottom of the layout to the city. Lots of operating potential here, and there are plenty of other ways to make use of this amount of space! http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2018/5/9/track-planning-for-lego-trains-part-3 monthly 0.5 2020-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1533263063732-TMU0786TWLTQ6I4JXZHO/R40measurement Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces The distance from the center of the circle of track to the center of the rails is 40 studs, measured by the orange and blue 4-stud long bricks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1529783252182-JPF8XKNJJMTROVDREQLG/Radii.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1529805972572-ZMTRTW7OE3IHR68PGHE1/CurveSubstituteR88.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1529806352617-YQHUXZ70PFSEW8SYQ9O3/DoubleTrackR56.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1529807097494-H9XWQM3J8GNFY65VOJ38/switchtypes.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces Shown above, across the top, are four types of LEGO® train track switches. On the left is a standard switch with the oblique diverging route, which accommodates connecting a curved piece to create two parallel tracks, as shown in the lower right. The next switch over on the top row is typically called a "half-curve" switch. The diverging route has been cut off with part of a piece of curved track glued on to replace it (or perhaps it has been 3D-printed in this shape), which means the diverging route equals two R40 curves. Add two more R40 curves as shown below it, and you have a 90-degree turn without having to use extra curves or straights to accommodate the oblique diverging route of a standard switch! Third from the left on the top row is a "crossover" switch. Consisting of two sets of points connected at their diverging route, this piece functions the same as the larger crossover discussed in the previous installment of this blog, however it takes up far less space, as shown in the lower right of the image. Finally, we have a stub-end switch, which can be used as any type of custom switch, depending on what sort of custom track pieces you attach to the diverging route. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535327859477-DWOHN0IFFPZ0HQDH3EHP/61NBPm5lB1L.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces The short-lived, official double-crossover switch from LEGO®. Note how the pairs of points at each end share a switch throw. Even on the box art, it shows that one set of points is straight while the other is set for the diverging route. Very poor design. Image sourced from amazon.com https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535230207516-NI5HC4ZWXY18BV57S28S/90degreecrossing9V Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces Note that this 9 Volt 90-degree crossing track is the equivalent of a 16-stud straight track piece for both routes. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535231097085-O1YA7L19CCYECMBS8AR7/figureeight.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Basic Figure Eight This layout is the smallest possible design that contains a full loop of track crossing over itself. Note that it only requires eight straight track pieces, but also a total of 24 curved track pieces, 12 for each turnback loop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535231097033-WBRJENKBNS7CA9BUH7HB/mickeymouse.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Mickey Mouse A slightly larger layout using two 90-degree crossing tracks, in a shape reminiscent of a certain famous cartoon character. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535231096662-0N1RHCTG5RH3XBR80WKK/figureeightsidings.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Lionel-Style Crossing These two layouts are based on a popular Lionel, or O-Scale, track plan. The design on top uses standard switches, while the design on the bottom uses half-curve switches to save space. Both layouts can either be used as a standard oval, or as two turnback loops connected to each other. Can you spot the turnback loops contained within each plan? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535231096679-9C9E7ZXCRDEOVBJRTLRO/trackplan50revisit.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Track Planning for Toy Trains #50 This track plan comes straight from the book “Track Planning for Toy Trains.” Like the previous layout, this plan can be used as a standard oval or a set of turnback loops connected to each other. A train may start going clockwise at the upper right, take the diverging route of the switch along the bottom, travel up the center of the layout to the top, then take the diverging route of the switch at right, pass the other direction over the 90-degree crossing, then continue back around to the left side of the layout and across the top to reach its starting point, facing the same direction as when it began. Once again, the plan on the right is identical to the plan on the left, aside from the use of half-curve switches to save space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535231370194-F0LRHHI4XCMEBOYWEB5I/pointtopointrevisit.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Turnback Loops Revisited Here is a loop-to-loop layout we saw earlier in this blog series, but once again we have substituted the standard switches for half-curve switches to save quite a lot of space! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535327777262-YR68ZE9YIJJLJJ9THPW0/tripletrackcrossoverwyardnotes.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Triple Crossover Revisited Another revisited layout, we see our triple-track layout using wide-radius curves on the outer two loops, and custom-cut crossover switches linking the loops together at the bottom. Note the use of the double-crossover switch; we may assume that this is a third-party model that allows our trains to run independently on each loop! A small storage yard can be accessed from the inside loop, and it uses a set of stub-end custom-cut switches to create a “switch ladder.” Note the use of half-straight and half-curve pieces to fit the switches onto the ladder; this might be a good place to use switches with the throws on the outside of the track! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535334879011-SGA5DHKWSU31S2YQM647/stubendcrossoveryard.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Stub End Crossover Yard The left hand side of this layout uses R104 and R88 curves, while the right hand side of the main loops use R40 and R56 curves to accommodate the switches leading to the stub-end yard on the right hand side. The yard can be access from the middle loop by crossing over to the outer loop and then taking the diverging route of one of the half-curve switches. Every track of the yard can be accessed from either lead, thanks to the double-crossover. Another option for trains leaving the yard is to use the route crossing the mainlines to access the switching area in the center of the layout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1535232221929-50X3K05A76JORNKJDMFM/preposterous.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 3: Custom Track Pieces - Preposterous Design Admittedly, this design is a bit silly, perhaps because my experience with wide-radius curves is limited. However, I wanted to show off another example of how these custom track pieces can be used. We have two custom-cut crossover pieces at opposite corners of the layout, as well as a branch line that diverges from the inside loop, swings back across the two mainlines, and rejoins the outer loop at the right side of the plan. http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2018/8/25/thoughts-from-the-workshop-time-for-hobbies monthly 0.5 2018-08-26 http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2018/2/22/track-planning-for-lego-trains-part-2-track-geometry-and-tips-tricks monthly 0.5 2020-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519486402955-NKVICJ2N3CJB7V4TENAC/photooftrackparts Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks This photograph shows the whole range of official LEGO® train track parts. On the far left is a standard curve, and on the far right is a standard straight. The bottom center shows one piece of flexible track, and the top center shows four pieces of flexible track connected together, equaling the length of the curve and straight track, but with the ability to shift into unusual shapes. Also shown is one left-hand switch (set for the diverging route) and one right-hand switch (set for the straight route). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1587348503915-Q844TPJG82AURBYFSJJH/fivetrackpieces.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks The five track pieces as they appear in Track Designer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1587348520637-4CGD8IULTCNEV2BDGO34/image-asset.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks The five track pieces as they appear in Bluebrick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519486947210-FXB2S6KSEFEYD3MRH2FX/trackonbaseplates1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519354361586-XC5K989CR2PAGG3JUIQC/badcurvealignments.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519355243876-9RA009C6AICKATYXBD5F/twocurvesonestraight.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519511234201-2ZN8XCMY26PH8VTDKAPL/officiallegohowtoswitches.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519425229319-05YUFEEUE0PGPH3LKFX3/switchspacesaver.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519358978883-PTD7R0VIN7925YSHYT5H/returnloopexamples.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks We don't need the grid to see just how much space was saved by the one-straight-for-two-curves trick! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519356010568-I56KCAK3PEWFKU33Q9G8/TwoLoopRailroad.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks These two circles of track are completely independent from one another. The grid is provided for convenience. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1582088050914-D7XSYRSCOMTGBP0PLSR5/pittsburghcrossovers.jpg Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks In this photograph from Pittsburgh, PA, we can see two crossovers directly in the shadow of the bridge, linking the outer tracks with the inner tracks. The train is rolling over two more crossovers linking the inner two tracks, and beyond that we can see two more crossovers linking the inner tracks with the outer tracks in the opposite direction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519357076086-7NTQ7RW9L66ZDMVTM334/crossoversgoodandbad.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks The first example is what NOT to do: because the diverging routes of the switches are oblique without curved tracks to complement them, the outer loop of this layout is completely misaligned from the grid, and the outer track is too close to the inner track along the top of the plan. In the second and third examples, a properly aligned crossover (either with two curves and a straight, or one straight substituting for two back-to-back curves) means that BOTH loops align perfectly to the grid. Note that in each case, both switches are left-handed switches. Also note that a train traveling clockwise on the outer loop must reverse through the crossover to reach the inner loop, and vice-versa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519357507013-ISD72YA29R2FIEZG7ZML/crossoverlayout1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Crossover Layout 1 In this layout, only one pair of left and right switches is used. The mainline of the outer track runs through the diverging route of the switch, which isn't a GREAT practice, but it'll do in a pinch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519358170613-X247NCGJGL46VYAZTAZL/crossoverlayout2a.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Crossover Layout 2 This layout has two crossovers, so trains do not have to reverse direction to switch from one loop to another. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519358170757-AU8TGLZBUEE7J7GWAP09/crossoverlayout2.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Crossover Layout 2a This layout has two crossovers, both of which are at the front of the layout and therefore easily accessed by the layout operator. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519358170467-UYHPDQC5FBC5GT4SS3XL/crossoverlayout3.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Crossover Layout 3 This layout has an extended midsection to the crossover, long enough to park a train in between the loops! Because the crossover uses two left-hand switches, the two leftover right-hand switches are used for stub-end sidings serving industries. Thanks to the crossover, one train can serve both industries, even though they are on separate loops. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519358170636-J4TCWL6V8QNHN4K714EB/crossoverlayout4.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Crossover Layout 4 This layout has a passing siding on the outer loop. Because of the crossover, a train on the inside may travel to the outer loop and park on the siding. Once again, leftover switches are used to make stub-end sidings for storage or industries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519358170421-C11771XPQCY4JI96932B/crossoverlayout5.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Crossover Layout 5 This layout has three independent loops, with only one crossover connecting each. A train traveling counter-clockwise on the inside loop must reverse direction to reach the middle loop, and then reverse direction again to traverse the crossover to the outer loop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519359694048-UTCUF14QD267BJUEEPKM/TVRMwye.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks This satellite photo shows the wye at Grand Junction Station. A train enters from the lower left, and pulls up to the station along the top-left leg of the wye. After the passengers are loaded, the train pulls forward of the switch at the top center of the photo, then reverses along the curved track obscured by trees. The tail track in the lower right is just barely long enough to fit a locomotive and three passenger cars. Once the train is clear of the switch adjacent to the road crossing, it pulls forward along the lower leg of the wye, past the sidings of equipment on display, and returns to the track it came from in the lower left, now traveling in the opposite direction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519360156303-LGKEB5C7EE73T2W8B85P/threewyes.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks The first example shows the basic properties of building a wye in LEGO®, and the second two examples show the use of the straight-for-curve trick. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519362743510-7RN3VRVWRAXXWBJLNL6W/wyelayout2.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Wye and Loop Here is a layout featuring a wye built into one of the four corners. Using three switches when switches are sold in pairs means we have one left over, so it has been used to create a stub-end siding in the middle of the loop. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519362743490-51UBD8QOZ2XT7LSL2PZS/wyeandreturnloop.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Wye and Return Loop In this layout, a train will turn around on the reverse loop, and then do a three-point turn on the wye to repeat its trip. Of course, the distance between the loop and the wye may be any length or shape you desire, but make sure the legs of your wye are long enough to hold the entire train. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519362743036-GZFCK7WJW6JRMOWHWEEP/doubleloopandwyeyard.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Crossover and Wye This layout has a crossover between two independent loops, and a wye built into the corner of one loop. The loose leg of the wye terminates in a two-track yard, where one could store extra train cars. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519362742976-B2PMB1YU3OQN4XF3VQXN/wyebranchline1.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 2: Track Geometry and Tips & Tricks - Wye and Branch Line This layout has a mainline loop with passing siding, and a wye leading to a branch line with a return loop at the end of the branch. One could also set up a passing siding at the end of the branch line to run around the train, or set up some stub-end sidings to service industries far from the main line. http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2018/2/21/track-planning-for-lego-trains-part-1-the-basics monthly 0.5 2020-04-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519270075710-MEUUAS0ODDJWWGQ176ZS/circle.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519270252268-59SLWN2HS0L8BHATLR5K/ovalandsquare.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519485851050-OEWD26RAC1NR1UUAK3LM/flextracksubstitute Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics In the center of the picture is one length of flextrack. On the left, we see how four sections of flex track can equal a single piece of curved track. On the right, four sections of flex track equal one straight track as well. The red plates help keep the sections of flex track perfectly straight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519270592416-K7PQW2EYLUZ2YXH3VODA/biggeroval.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519270943537-6YQDZ8E2BEXRZLUYHLFL/sidings.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics One may assume that the main line track continues beyond the green squiggles at either end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519271839673-QL1566L7YAFGE82T6JVI/twoswitchlayouts.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519272265229-CPEOXNTRELFR6H8OVX0K/fourswitches.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics This layout shows 21 pieces of straight track, but so far we only have 20. We can use our flexible tracks to substitute for that extra piece of straight track. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519273325644-5QEN5PBW3A2VIG09A6UD/cornerpass.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Corner with Siding This layout is designed to fit in the corner of a room, hence the indentation in the upper right. A passing siding has been added to the lower left corner of the layout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519273767215-EL6ZJKCBRKP9YTFGL63F/waterwings.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Water Wings This layout is a departure from the "boxy" oval shape we've been adhering to so far; the new flexible tracks could make this layout much more interesting by bending the thin middle section in different directions! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519273325361-VAQFPMKPQB67XUPR5TTJ/dogbone.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Basic Dog Bone This layout shape is called the "Dog Bone," as the two turns at each side look a bit like the ends of a canine chew toy. The operator of the layout is best seated in the lower center. The thin portion in the top center of the layout can be expanded or turned around corners, depending on where space is available for the large turnaround sections. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519273767379-7E4IWMPWMKEUPXSJ1TTR/interestingdogbone.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Interesting Dog Bone This is the Dog Bone shape again, but we've added a passing siding as well as some stub-end sidings for our industries, like the container crane at right. Note that all the switches are easily reached by the operator seated in the lower center of the plan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519273325631-HDZSUCNW0SMCSS779A6L/looptoloop.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Loop to Loop This layout brings a new angle to continuous operation: instead of an oval, we have two return loops. Our train will start on the upper-left corner, travel straight across the top to the right, then down and back over to the switch. Now it will travel the opposite direction through the upper left corner, and turn around on the lower left loop. The upper-left track section can be expanded and turned around corners, just like the dog bone, depending on where space is available for the return loops to fit. Note that the lower left loop has a stub-end siding added to it for operational interest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519351286049-MOPYGMT9O77O5ETZX421/ExpandedLooptoLoop.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Expanded Loop to Loop Here is a more complex version of the loop-to-loop layout. Note that the track between the two loops can go any which way we desire. A passing siding is added in the middle. In theory, two trains could run simultaneously on this layout, each turning at the opposite loops at the same time, then passing each other on the siding in the middle of the layout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519273325400-6K1CSFG9LBNXU9SNQKM2/looptopointsiding.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Loop to Point So far in this series, every layout has allowed for continuous running, or non-stop operation of the trains. This layout has a return loop at one end, but a passing siding at the other, shortly after which the track ends. When the train arrives at the siding, the train must stop, and the engine must uncouple and run around the train on the siding (or in the case of trains like 60051 passenger set, the train can simply reverse direction without uncoupling the engine), then re-couple to the cars and pull the train back up the left side of the layout, through the return loop again, arriving back at the siding to repeat the process. **IMPORTANT** If you are using electrified track, this will cause a short-circuit. Not a problem with modern plastic track. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519273767171-87PAFCAI8YMBR2QNF6FA/oddshape.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics - Oblique Oval This oval has an indentation in the top, perhaps to go around a piece of furniture or another household obstacle. This would be another great spot to utilize flexible tracks. The core idea of this layout is that all the switches and sidings are concentrated at the bottom, easily reached by the operator. A train may arrive at these sidings, do some switching (dropping off and picking up freight cars), and then depart and continue onwards into the top section of the layout, where all sorts of curves and interesting track arrangements could take place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519276326954-GIB7VNOB7TZW5TFEUUJI/K4531.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics The enormous passing loop on the left hand side gives us two route options; a train traveling to the left at the top of the plan may go straight through the switch for a short route, or go through the diverging side and travel the long way around the whole of the layout. Also note the two stub-end sidings; the one on the left is long enough to hold an entire train! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1519276574510-ZY5BG473VEFATHFJ7DOG/K4548.png Workshop - Track Planning for LEGO® Trains, Part 1: The Basics This layout is packed with operational interest: two stub-end sidings, a passing loop in the lower left, and a very long passing loop (which could be considered an alternate mainline route) stretching from the switch at the upper right of the plan, to the switch at the lower right, going around the left side of the layout. http://montystrains.net/workshop-blog/2017/5/12/pick-a-brick-wall-5-12-17 monthly 0.5 2020-02-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1494607161867-35ULC7CFNAOXEMCX5A4Y/pickabrickfebvisit Workshop - Pick-a-Brick Wall 5-12-17: A little about filling your cup My haul from visiting the Raleigh, NC Pick-A-Brick wall in February of this year. On the right you can see how I managed to fit many more bricks into the cups by building them... or DID I fit that many? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1494606656196-BL1ETDI01LVSWEUP0EZE/20170511_210835.jpg Workshop - Pick-a-Brick Wall 5-12-17: A little about filling your cup - PAB Experiment 5-12-17 (1 of 4) My haul from the Lego Store for this experiment. The two large cups (one build, one simply filled) can be seen on the right. I also filled a small cup, picked up the Brick Calendar, and received a free "Guardians of the Galaxy" mini-set for spending more than $35! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1494606702263-VUDQMBC7KOBQWF9XBZDO/20170511_211043.jpg Workshop - Pick-a-Brick Wall 5-12-17: A little about filling your cup - PAB Experiment 5-12-17 (2 of 4) The cup on the right was filled entirely with loose bricks, while the cup on the left was built inside to maximize use of the space in the cup. The left cup was built mostly with 2x4 bricks, and the right cup filled with 2x2 bricks, but I threw in different size bricks in both cups for good measure. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1494606739475-XF8W7F5EJN4EPGBRYFN6/IMG_20170511_235604.jpg Workshop - Pick-a-Brick Wall 5-12-17: A little about filling your cup - PAB Experiment 5-12-17 (3 of 4) Some of the techniques I used to fill the space in the cup. An eight-brick-high 6x6 tower with a seven-brick-high 8x8 cube on top of it. I also fill in the space on either side of these towers with vertical bricks, even spent a good 2-3 minutes fitting as many 1x2 bricks in the bottom rim of the cup as possible! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1494606810812-HA8EUJY3Z3954U7FYF06/20170511_212922.jpg Workshop - Pick-a-Brick Wall 5-12-17: A little about filling your cup - PAB Experiment 5-12-17 (4 of 4) A visual representation of how many bricks were in each cup. The left stack is from the cup that I built inside, but exactly how much more brick did I acquire? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5708198d8a65e29b75b85f41/1494609076234-73Q8NSPHE80P4DHX3TZ4/PABmay5andbricklink Workshop - Pick-a-Brick Wall 5-12-17: A little about filling your cup My haul from my first PAB wall visit in May. Across the top you can see the towers I built inside the cups. Look to the bottom, and you'll see I managed to fit some bricks by building the 6x6x1 wall sections into boxes. It's not much, but it's 25 more studs of brick than I would have had otherwise! The plastic bags are from two Bricklink orders that arrived on the same day.