Gents,

I've been on these forums for quite a while, though a bit on/off and I rarely post. Some of you may remember my M track layout I built a few years ago:

http://ls.ausgames.com

Now unfortunately a lot of this track was old and had sandpaper used on it, along with the fact I live in a high humidity environment (Brisbane) meant that it was not usable as it was always rusty.

We had considered changing all the track with new C track but the large tunnelled areas, the catenary and me having manually ballasted the M track made it too much trouble and so it was torn down and salvaged.

NOW ONTO THE TOPIC AT HAND:

So I've got a lot of trains now but no track and I want to build a new train layout but it won't be for a few years now (need to buy a house and get setup first) but I would like to purchase track so I can drive my trains in the meantime.

C track or K track?
This question has been difficult to answer and I don't want to get into a huge debate as I've read a few threads on this topic already. I have decided to go with K track. This is because I am after a very realistic appearance (I ballasted my M track after all) and I want a layout with only wide radius curves and realistic looking ballast. C track geometry is very nice with the wide radius stuff they have now but it takes a more space than K track and theres also no flex track.
I am however concerned that Marklin will discontinue K track in the next few years before I've decided on a layout and have bought track.

My first question then...
So looking at the K track wide radius geometry I see that the 2241/2251 parallel curved tracks are 64.6mm spaced but the parallel straight track geometry is 57mm. How do people get around this difference in spacing? You'd need a small 's' bend at either end to space those parallels out for your curves? I find this silly and frustrating and want to know what people do about this, or whether you add small straights in between points on the straight sections to move the 57mm out to 64.6mm.

Catenary.

So I used the old style catenary on my M track but obviously the masts are not suitable for K and I'm looking at selling it all and going with Marklins new catenary for the K track layout.
Thing is, it seems Marklin is really focusing this catenary to be used with C track and its geometry. I know there are many other catenary suppliers out there and I'd like to know what brands you people are using with your K track? Anyone using marklins new catenery with K? I want functional catenary so I can drive trains with pantographs up and preferably powered too (I run digital so no need for isolation, except if I use signals). I find it looks silly when people have catenary setup but cant/wont drive trains with the pantographs up.

Signals.

So I've never used signals before and while I have a general understanding I would not know how to properly set them up in a realistic fashion and a layout I designed myself. It seems like they are a lot of work, having to cut track and install contact detectors etc. I would like to use them on my next layout having as they add a level of realism to the layout that I'd like to portray.

So last question then, given my K track, signalling and catenary questions it would seem obvious that I'd be best to use a planned design.
Does anyone know of a website(s) that has K track plans available for perusal? I'm looking at doing maybe a U shape design and well spaced compared to my last layout (too much track jammed in the size available) but would like a double reversing loop in there and a turntable if possible. I know its hard given I have no idea how much room I'll have to use but I would still like to see some layout and dream...

Thankyou for taking the time to read this thread I know its fairly long.

hi Eric,

good to see serious planning !

Track spacing
By placing a short length of straight between tracks you can bring the 57mm spacing to 64.6mm You can use my free tracksolver software at
http://layout.mixmox.com/1/calc to calculate the required length. (the length depends on the angle of the joining track to the parallel tracks)

Note that also having the flex track allows you to adjust spacing on curves as you come into the station.

cateneray
I used Sommerfeld catenary. Any catenary will take care to erect. You can have trains run with their pants up without having to have it powered.
Note that not having it powered means you do not have to have it in hidden areas.
My Sommerfeld catenary: http://layout.mixmox.com/1/Sommerfeld-catenary
how to make a guide for catenary: http://layout.mixmox.com/1/20020511Catenaryguide

Signals
You said you will be running digitally. In that case your signals can be cosmetic and I recommend that they do not cut power to tracks etc as you will then be attempting to mix analog and digital control, making life more complex. See http://cabin-layout.blogspot.com/2006/11/computer-control.html
I used Viessmann siganls and am happy with them. http://layout.mixmox.com/1/signals-installed

Edited by user 22 April 2017 20:58:29(UTC)  | Reason: url change

Thankyou for your input gentlemen.
You're website is very helpfull Dale, thanks!

Hi
I cannot be very helpful about the question related to K-track, as I definitely chose C-track, mainly because I don't have enough room to keep a permanent layout.

as far as the catenary is concerned, I started using the new Märklin but their offering it very limited and I turned to Viessmann (which incidentely is Märklin supplier) : cheaper, really great devices to make it realistic and suits both tracks. if you use Wintrack to design your new layout, it comes with an integrated facility to build the catenary using Viessmann references (also Sommerfeldt by the way).

signals : I made some tests with Märklin signals, not convinced and very expensive. again, I will switch to Viessmann. If you don't want to get bored with managing the various switching, the best way is to use a PC-software, connected to a CS1 : the program will make the locs stops very nicely and the signals will have only a visual function.

Hi,
I don't know all the softwares, most of them are chargeable I guess.

If you want a try for free, there is itrain :

http://www.berros.nl/itrain/

to me, it fits very well for simple to rather advanced layouts and it is cross-platform (MacOS, windows, LINUX). the developer, a Dutch guy is very keen on helping newbies and the price is reasonable (40 € for the standard version). demo version is provided for testing.