Copyright 2002 T. Sheil & A. Sheil  All Rights Reserved

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Doorway Layouts for Atlas O Track

Five 36 inch by 77 inch track plans

Even in a 36" wide area, the Atlas track system is challenging.  Its 36" curves and switches must be blended with its 27" curves to fit.  The track geometry means making many small adjustments, and in practice will require a bit of wiggling and fudging.  The result is one of the best small trackplans in its class, for Atlas track offers realistic appearance and the benefit of nickel silver.

Unlike the tighter 30" layouts, these 36" railways can more easily accommodate some larger trains.  So long as an item can take an O27 curve, it will work.  If you are an Atlas purist, we recommend using their SW switchers, 36" old time boxcars and the old time gondolas.  Shorter scale rolling stock will definitely be at home.  For those who run trains from various brands, Classic-sized and O27 freights and passenger cars hit their stride here.  Those best served are the Marx fans, whose trains are a perfect size for a small model railway.  (Marx fans, remember that the fat wheel on some pre-1954 locomotives cannot pass through an Atlas switch).  Lionel Postwar, MTH Railking and K-line Classic and O27 should be right at home, as well.

Buildings shown are only suggestions.  Use what you like.  You can easily put a trackside accessory in place of the building for more fun.

This simple plan allows for operation of a train and a motorized unit or short train.

(4) Atlas 6068 O36 7.5° curve

(4) Atlas (6076) righthand O-36 turnout

(9) Atlas 6050 10.0 inch straight

(2) Atlas 6052 1.75 inch straight

(1) Atlas (6075) lefthand O-36 turnout

(10) Atlas 6043 O27 45° curve

(1) Atlas 6040 snap-on bumper

(2) Atlas 6053 5.5 inch straight

(1) Atlas 6051 4.50 inch straight

Total of 34 items

(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower

(4) Plasticville 1620 loading platform

(1) Plasticville 1906 factory

(1) Plasticville GO-2 small gas station

(1) Plasticville #1602 post office

(1) Plasticville 1401 Frosty Bar

(1) Plasticville #1500 diner

(1) Plasticville #1806 roadside produce stand

(1) Atlas O #6901 suburban passenger station

(1) Atlas O #6902 station platform

(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

(4) Custom Signals double hi-way crossing

(1) Atlas O #6900 interlocking tower

Here we have altered the top siding, and also added a spur.  Great for small mixed operations.

(4) Atlas 6068 O36 7.5° curve

(5) Atlas (6076) righthand O-36 turnout

(9) Atlas 6050 10.0 inch straight

(3) Atlas 6052 1.75 inch straight

(1) Atlas (6075) lefthand O-36 turnout

(8) Atlas 6043 O27 45° curve

(2) Atlas 6040 snap-on bumper

(2) Atlas 6053 5.5 inch straight

(2) Atlas 6051 4.50 inch straight

(2) Atlas 6066 O36 30° curve

Total of 38 items

(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower

(3) Plasticville 1620 loading platform

(1) Plasticville GO-2 small gas station

(1) Plasticville #1602 post office

(1) Plasticville 1401 Frosty Bar

(1) Plasticville #1500 diner

(1) Plasticville #1806 roadside produce stand

(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville #1622 dairy barn w/silo

(1) Plasticville #1617 storage shed

(1) Plasticville #1408 windmill

(1) Atlas O #6901 suburban passenger station

(1) Atlas O #6902 station platform

(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

(4) Custom Signals double hi-way crossing

This one is great for having operating accessories on spurs.

(5) Atlas 6068 O36 7.5° curve

(5) Atlas (6076) righthand O-36 turnout

(14) Atlas 6050 10.0 inch straight

(3) Atlas 6052 1.75 inch straight

(1) Atlas (6075) lefthand O-36 turnout

(6) Atlas 6043 O27 45° curve

(4) Atlas 6040 snap-on bumper

(1) Atlas 6053 5.5 inch straight

(2) Atlas 6066 O36 30° curve

(1) Atlas 6051 4.50 inch straight

Total of 42 items

(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower

(5) Plasticville 1620 loading platform

(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville #1622 dairy barn w/silo

(1) Plasticville #1617 storage shed

(1) Plasticville #1408 windmill

(1) Plasticville 1616 suburban station

(1) Plasticville #1500 diner

(1) Atlas O #6902 station platform

(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

(4) Custom Signals double hi-way crossing

Here you get spurs and the inner reverse track.  Great for using smaller cars and locomotives.

(6) Atlas 6068 O36 7.5° curve

(6) Atlas (6076) righthand O-36 turnout

(12) Atlas 6050 10.0 inch straight

(4) Atlas 6052 1.75 inch straight

(1) Atlas (6075) lefthand O-36 turnout

(6) Atlas 6043 O27 45° curve

(3) Atlas 6040 snap-on bumper

(2) Atlas 6053 5.5 inch straight

(2) Atlas 6066 O36 30° curve

(1) Atlas 6051 4.50 inch straight

Total of 43 items

(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower

(4) Plasticville 1620 loading platform

(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville 1616 suburban station

(1) Plasticville #1500 diner

(1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house

(1) Plasticville #1806 roadside produce stand

(1) Plasticville 1504 mobile home

(1) Atlas O #6902 station platform

(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

(4) Custom Signals double hi-way crossing

Though it looks simple, using the Atlas track was complex.  A chart showing the parts numbers is below - unfortunately it cannot be reproduced clearly.  

(7) Atlas 6043 O27 45° curve

(4) Atlas (6076) righthand O-36 turnout

(9) Atlas 6050 10.0 inch straight

(6) Atlas 6066 O36 30° curve

(1) Atlas (6075) lefthand O-36 turnout

(6) Atlas 6068 O36 7.5° curve

(2) Atlas 6052 1.75 inch straight

(1) Atlas 6044 O27 22.5° curve

(1) Atlas 6053 5.5 inch straight

(3) Atlas 6040 snap-on bumper

Total of 40 items

(3) Plasticville 1620 loading platform

(1) Plasticville 1615 water tank

(1) Plasticville GO-2 small gas station

(1) Plasticville #1806 roadside produce stand

(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate

(1) Plasticville 1625 railroad work car

(6) Custom Signals double hi-way crossing

(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

(1) Buildings Unlimited B503 trackside shed

(1) Buildings Unlimited B501 flag stop

(1) Berkshire Valley #802 brick freight house

(1) Berkshire Valley #813 train crew shed

(1) LaserKit 484 elevated warehouse

(1) Berkshire Valley #805 railroad shanty

(1) Berkshire Valley #804 fuel and oil shed

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