Triang series 3 track ideas

[Trains trains trains]

Hello, I have aquaired a fairly large amount of triang series 3 track and was just wondering what sort of track plan I could do with it? I want to keep the section at the top, so if anybody could help that would be gravely appreciated.

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[LCDR]

Looking at what you have, you could start with a double track oval which has a crossover made from the two left hand points on one side. 

 

In to the other side you could have a loop or siding going towards the middle or to the outside which uses the section at the top, but will not use the diamond crossing.

 

However if you do dismantle the pre-formed loop at the top you could add a couple of sidings one from the outer circuit crossing the inner one using the diamond, and the other from the inner circuit. directly.

 

My advice is to try a variety of combinations and play around with what is possible. Sketch the one you like best.

[L757]

I downloaded a free trial of a layout programme that had librarys that included series 3 & 4 track, I used it for planning my series 4 layout

[Rana Temporia]

L757 I think the one you are referring to is Anyrail. Works fine but the free version limits you to 50 pieces of track and you on use the up! Especially with 12 rails per circle. It has every make of track I can think of on there including Series 3. 

 

I used to have a lot of this track, the main problem for me was thet if you have a crossover, unlike most modern track systems you need to use some of the smaller bits of track to have the ends level so getting the layout to standard straight lengths is difficult. This was not the only track ystem that had this problem. Also, due to the sharp radiii used the track centres are further apart than modern track. Modern trans will definitely struggle on the 1st radius and the points which used that geometry. 

 

Having said that, if the track is in good condition most trains will run on it, you will get slowing down on large layouts away from the controller as you have so many joinTLs with the short straight sections and 30 degree curves that you have a lot of resistance build up through the track and there is a voltage drop. 

 

There is a track plans book which i probably have somewhere but you can get some ideas by looking at reference material online, especially look up pictures of the Tri-ang clockwork and starter sets as the advertising for these often had pictures of layouts. The geometry is also the same as the grey based standard track so any layouts using that can be replicated with series 3.