Experimenting with 0 Scale Layoutsbased on

GarGraves

Tubular Rail Profile and Trackage GeometryA Quick Reference Guide for Hi-Railers

Author: Johannis Likos

e-mail: likosjo@yahoo.com

http://issuu.com/johannis_likos/docs/GarGraves_0_USA

August 9, 2010

1 Generally about 0 Scale Tracks

Most of the trackage manufacturers provide with a vari-ety of concepts and solutions with or without trackbed,with wood or plastic ties, for indoor or outdoor usage andfor 2-rail DC or 3-rail AC operation, such as:

• Atlas

• GarGraves

• Lionel

• Mike’s Train House

– RealTrax (with trackbed)– ScaleTrax (without trackbed)

• Peco

– Code 124– Code 143

• Ross Custom Switches

1.1 Rail Profiles

A cut view across a solid or hollow rail describes theshape of the low or high profile. The wheel flanges ofthe motive power and rolling stock must match accord-ing to rail profile in order primarily to avoid derailmentsand secondly to serve the purpose, either serious, photo-realistic and prototypical or entertaining and functional.

1.1.1 Solid Rails

Nickel silver is another non-corrosive authentic rail ma-terial. Solid rails are more robust and can be cut andtrimmed to the desired length by using Dremel tools.

1.1.2 Tubular Rails

If you have already inherited an old toy train set and ifyou want to continue with it, then you can expand your

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layout by investing in track material with solenoid1 rails,such as GarGraves and/or RCS2, which are compatibleto eachother. Tubular rails can be easily cut and trimmedto the desired length due to the extremely thin tinplatematerial. But on the other hand tubular rails are fragilein case someone accidently steps on them. Always preferGarGraves tracks with the so calledPhantom3 center railand paint the outer rails in rusty brown color for morerealistic appearance. If the outer rails of straight andcurved tracks are insulated from eachother, they can beeven used for 2-rail DC operation, but switches have tobe replaced due to conductivity. It is recommended tochoose wood ties and bright tinplate rails for indoor lay-outs, while outdoor layouts should be set up with tracksof plastic ties and stainless rails due to air humidity andfurther hot or wet weather influence. The overall invest-ment costs for a novice is the main argument why to fa-vorGarGraves products instead of its competitors. Com-pared to some more expensive from other trackage man-ufacturers, the Ross tracks and the GarGraves trackswith their hollow rails are strong enough to resist dam-age while repeatedly and frequently assembling and dis-assembling layouts.

1.1.3 Hybrid Track Layout

Technically it is possible to set up a layout with mixed railmaterials by connecting solid and tubular rails throughspecial Altas transition joiners. But photographically itdoesn’t look nice, if tracks from different manufacturersare mixed together on the same layout.

1.2 Rail Systems

There are two ways, how the internal motors of thelocomotives are powered and how they are electrified4

through the metallic rails.

1.2.1 2-Rail DC

This is the prototypical operation mode for the modernmodel trains era, where the highest precision must beachieved, such as the size of the manual couplers to theproportions of the locomotives as an example.

1Derived from the Greek stereometric expression σωληνοειδὴ andmeans simply tube-like or pipe-like shape.2Abbreviation for Ross Custom Switches.3It is the blackened center rail.4It is technically possible to electrify electric locomotives, such as

GG-1, EP-5, AEM-7 and European TRAXX, through overhead cate-nary.

The smaller wheel flanges are supposed to fit to the code124 and 143 rail profile without any unintended derail-ment accident.

1.2.2 3-Rail AC (Hi-Rail)

This is the traditional operation mode from the historictoy trains era, which will be gradually replaced by themore realistic 2-rail system in the future. The AC poweris taken through the roller contactors from the centerrail and is returned or grounded through the locomotivewheels to one of the outer rails of the track. The biggerwheel flanges prevent from derailment during crossoverin narrow switches, which require a higher rail profile.

2 The GarGraves Track Geometry

GarGraves provides in its product sortiment with all kindof track types in various sizes in order to meet the poorexpectations of the spontanous Hi-Railer.CAUTION! Do not confuse the nominal diameters, whichhave been abstractly defined by NMRA, with the actuallymeasured dimensions, which are specifically described inthe product catalogs.

2.1 Straight Tracks

The length of the straight tracks provided by GarGravesis a multiple of 6.2”, such as 12.4”, 24.8 and 37.2”.

If for some geometric reason you require on your lay-out another irregular length something in between, thenyou have to carefully cut the hollow rails the next biggeravailable straight track to the desired size, but remem-ber, that there is enough room left for the joining pins.

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An exception of short straight track pieces are thebumpers in black, red or yellow for marking the deadend of a sidetrack in a yard.

2.2 Curved Tracks

The distances between inner curves and outer curves arenot constant. A narrower distances looks more realisticbut cannot be applied in a narrow curve with longer lo-comotives and/or longer passenger cars. So you mustestimate best suitable diameters for the inner and outercurves according to the available layout space.

An irregular curve or a muchwider curve can be achievedby bending the flexible track, but it should be carefullydesigned5 before bending and trimming the flextrack.

2.3 Switches

Generally there are the cheaper manually operated andthe more expensive remote controlled6 switches withnarrower curves for small layout space or with wider

5Design and printout on paper probably through a track layoutingsoftware is recommended.6In the trackage catalogs the RC initials are appended to the product

code of the switches.

curves for more realistic operation.

For the non-derailment cross-over between RC switchesthere are specific descriptive wiring instructions. Gar-Graves provides with the following nominal switch sizeswith various geometric transition possibilities:

• O-42

• O-54

• O-72

• O-100

Some experience in the layouting of switches is required,while designing freight yards, roundhouses and trainstations.

The angle (β) in the curved part of the switch shouldbe close to the angle (α) of the make-up curve in or-der to reach the desired parallel distance (p) at the con-tinuation. The make-up curve should be accompaniedby another shorter straight track piece (a) in parallel,which is joined together with the straight part (b) of theswitch. The straight length a+b=24.8” approximatelywould be reached in the case of an O72 switch. In somecases the make-up curve must be purchased separately,while in some other cases you must explicitely requestthe best suitable make-up curve out of three choices inorder to reach the desired center-to-center distance ofparallel tracks on your designed layout. If you prefermore complex 3-way or 4-way switches for a centric en-try and exit of your freight yard or your shed, then ex-ceptionally as an ellegant choice would be the compatible

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Ross trackage. Any way, the RCS switches are alwaysa complementary solutions for hi-railers, who want tobuild more professional layouts.

Instead of the 4-way switch solution by RCS, it can beused a wye switch with a left-hand switch, a right-handswitch and few make-up curves and all of them O72-compatible curved tracks provided by GarGraves .

2.3.1 Manual vs. Electrical

You can operate the manual switches by hand, if the di-rection is changed occasionally in a branchline. For fre-quend direction changes in a yard it is recommended toinvest in remote-controlled7 switches, which are moreexpensive.

3 Track layout Examples

The below proposed layouts for indoor and outdoor canbe decorated by adding ballast, vegetation, crossings,bridges, tunnels, sheds, stations, factories, shops, officebuildings, etc.

3.1 Circular vs. Push-Pull Operation

The ugliest part in an oval layout are the narrow curves,therefore, if the landscape and scenery permits it, theyshould be hidden inside tunnels or behind buildings, butgenerally for playing with toy trains it serves the pur-pose. More demanding prototypical model railroadersprefer realistic switching operations manually on seg-mented and modular layouts. A work-around solutionfor automatic push-pull operations could be the block sig-nal detectors with crossing gates and signals by Z-Stufftogether with one or two auxiliary Z-500 controllers byMTH for reverting the driving direction of the poweredlocomotive after a short break.

3.1.1 Indoor Layout with Dogbone Loop

Technically a single-track dogbone-shaped indoor layoutwith O-72 switches is only in 3-rail AC system possible,as we know it from the H0-scaled Märklin system.

7To the product code of the electrical switches are appended theinitials RC.

So, at an exposition event only one train is going and re-turning tireless on the same straight track uninterruptedautomatically, while on an optional sidetrack with an-other train can be done the switching manually. In thisway you have the possibility to speak to the visitors of theconvention while your train is running or to demonstratesome features with the other train on the sidetrack.CAUTION! If the operation is in analog mode, then thesidetrack with separate control device must be insulatedby using plastic pins as rail joiners. Otherwise, in dig-ital mode (DCS or TMCC) should be used metal pins asrail joiners.

3.1.2 Simple Oval Layout for Indoor

A train can run round-and-round on the floor or aroundthe X-mas tree.

This is the most simple and straight forward way to en-joy playing with toy trains.

3.1.3 Multiple Oval Layout for Indoor

From three or up to six trains can run automaticallyat constant speed and at a constant distance on theseparate circular tracks, while on the insulated yard canbe done the switching manually.

You can start with the smallest inner circle and then laterincrease the amount of bigger and bigger outer circles.The inner circles are suitable for short switchers pullingfreight cars, while the heavier diesels pulling long pas-senger cars fit better on the outer circles.

3.1.4 Multi-level Scenery Layout for Indoor

An adventurous 8-shaped track layout with a freightyard in the spectacular valley surrounded by a moun-tainous scenery, so that tunnels must be passed-through

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and a bridge over the yard must be crossed.

For more entertainment there could be either a pulp fac-tory or a steel mill with smoking furnace chimneys in thevalley next to the yard.

3.1.5 Simple Outdoor Setup

A simple U-shaped outdoor layout could look like this:

...with less motive power and a minimum of rolling stock.

3.1.6 Multiple Outdoor Setup

A more complex U-shaped outdoor layout could looklike this:

where four trains could run in different direction and ad-ditionally another two train can do the switching on theside tracks.ATTENTION! For setting up an outdoor layout, proba-bly with elevation, is required further knowledge on howto prepare the earthground in the same way as it is donefor the G scale garden trains.

3.2 Modules and Segments

Not everyone has the space at home to set up a monu-mental 0 scale layout fixed in his basement. Therefore,a modular and/or segmented layout could be a practi-cal solution. Each module and each segment extractedfrom a layout can stand alone as a diorama in an exposi-tion or museum or otherwise can be merged with furthermodules of other fellows, if all apply a common and welldocumented standard.

3.2.1 Segmented Layout

A segmented layout consists of non-standardized irreg-ular parts to be assembled in a specific order, so theirsides have to be marked, otherwise they can not fit toeachother.

3.2.2 Modular Layout

Modules can be built according to an officially docu-mented standard or any regional model railroader clubcan specify its own standard for local use. At nationalconventions modules of a common standard shouldusually fit to eachother randomly. Complex segmentscan be also used in larger layouts under the condition,that the entrance and the exit of the incorporatedsegment has been built according to de-facto modulespecifications, which describe legs, wiring, rail profile,distance of parallel tracks, scenery, painting, ballast,etc. A simple straight yard segment with single trackentry/exit on both sides could look like this:

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A realistic S-shaped yard segment with single trackentry/exit on both sides could look like this:

The shape of this yard consists of the following differentbuilding blocks either in multiple quantities or pair-wise:

Finally you can play around with the same module piecesand re-arrange them according to the available boothspace, so that you can present at every convention a dif-ferent shape of a freight yard without any extra modelingeffort.ATTENTION! In the above proposed drawings are usedcompatible RCS 3-way switches and make-up curves.

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4 Conclusion

The critical 0 scale model railroading who has enoughmoney to spend for his hobby and who insists on pho-torealistic perfection, he will choose 2-rail DC and solidtracks, there is no dobt about it. But the nostalgic novicein the toy train playing, in other words: simply theclassic train enthusiast, there are other more affordableentry-level choices for low budget based on 3-rail8 ACoperation, such as the track product line by GarGraves.Since detailed documentation specifically on GarGravestrack geometry has been sadly lacking, hopefully this ar-ticle assists every 0 scale beginner in his new excitinghobby activities.

5 Sources

Below are listed web links for further investigation of thepossibilities in the 0 scale model railroading hobby.

5.1 Track and Accessory Manufacturers

• http://www.atlaso.com

• http://www.gargraves.com

• http://www.lionel.com

• http://www.mthtrains.com

• http://www.peco-gleise.de

• http://www.rossswitches.com

• http://www.williamstrains.com

• http://www.z-stuff.net

5.2 Layouting Software

• http://www.atlasrr.com/righttrack.htm

• http://www.cadrail.com

• http://www.rrtrack.com

• http://www.theliquidateher.com

• http://www.trackplanning.com

• http://www.winrail.com

• http://www.xtrkcad.org

8The European hi-railers who would like to apply NMRA standardsand to design layous with GarGraves trackage but have problems inconverting imperial measurements into metric ones and vice versa, thenthe internet provides with sufficient calculation assistance, such as thesite: http://manuelsweb.com/ft_in_cm.htm

5.3 Known American Resellers

• http://www.discounttrainsonline.com

• http://factorydirecttrains.com

• http://www.internettrains.com

• http://www.micromark.com

• http://www.trainworldonline.com

• http://www.trainz.com

5.4 Some European Resellers

• http://www.easygleis.de

• http://www.spur-0-shop.de

• http://www.weinert-modellbau.de

5.5 Magazines in English

• http://www.ogaugerr.com

• http://www.oscalemag.com

• http://www.classictoytrains.com

5.6 Magazines in German

• http://www.spurnull-magazin.de

• http://www.012-express.de

5.7 North American Associations

• http://www.nmra.org

• http://www.hirailers.com

• http://www.proto48.org

• http://www.oscalekings.org

5.8 Central European Associations

• http://www.argespur0.de

• http://www.morop.org

• http://www.fremo-net.eu

5.9 American Conventions

• http://www.2010oscalenational.com

• http://www.oscalenews.com/meets.html

• http://2012oscalenational.com

5.10 U.S. Conventions in Europe

• http://www.us-convention-brd.de

• http://www.trainmaster.ch/convention.htm

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