I am going to put in provisions for doubling the length to 16 feet if that opportunity ever presents itself…
I’m rebuilding my 5th and last layout. I don’t use a track plan and claim no knowledge of track plans.But from experence I don’t think you’ll get half of all that in a 2X8 be able to operate it.
But then it don’t really matters. I predict that this project as your many others will not get past your key board.
The track plan is about 50% done, it’ll be finished next Tuesday, and that’s with everything I want in the layout, I am buying the materials for the bench this weekend, parents and weather permitting…
It’s going to be 100% portable so I can take it to train shows…
So yeah its already past my keyboard!
Ok, I realized I can utilize a bit more space in the middle, so I am going to see if I can add a 2x4 area in the middle essentially making a 4x4 area with additional 2x2 areas on each side, so all in all its a 4x8 with two 2x2 squares cut out of two corners.
This will give a bit more space to stretch out…
I thought You said You said You had no job and money…did You find a rich uncle somewhere?
Good Luck, To You! [:D]
Frank
You do realize that with 2 feet of width you cannot make a loop in HO, right? Unless you are running trolleys or something. The N scale equivalent of HO 18" radius is the 9 3/4" radius, that JUST fits on a 2 foot width. HO trains on 9 3/4" radius - trolleys, 4 wheel switchers, MAYBE short cars with truck mounted couplers.
That’s why the ‘standard’ starter layout in HO is 4x8 - you can have 2 loops on 4 foot width, one 18" radius and the other 22" radius, or both 18", one with more straight track in the middle of the curve than the other.
–Randy
It’s going to be a switching layout…
What is your plan for construction of bench work? Do you have any woodworking experience?
Wood working experience?
Naah, don’t need nona that!
Just kidding!
I have with my dad and brother (me doing a lot of the work because my dad has high blood pressure, and is a bit out of shape and my brother is a bit young to help much) built over 100 ft of privacy fence, built a 16x16 addition to a storage building, built a new roof for a 10x20 tool shed, I personally built a cabinet/pantry out of 1 inch pine, and me and my brother built a 2x6 work bench for my dad out of 2x4s and a plywood top…
So yeah I’ve got woodworking experience…
Job,
Yeah I got job…
I am doing some pressure washing in the next few weeks now that the weather is good, I should have enough money to buy a push mower (I realized people might be a bit frightened by the 60" zero turn we are getting for our own property) and I will have a bit extra for trains, then I will continue to grow my business getting bigger/better equipment and such, on the weekends I have also considered doing BBQ (I am very inclined when it comes to culinary creativity) sports events in the area, my dad has a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management so he will be able to advise me well on that… how’s that for entrepreneurship…
Now back to trains,
I saw the BLI Plymouth switchers which appear to be the perfect fit for my layout, I also looked at their USRA light pacifics, which might also be a good fit…
Hello Steven,
I am sure I have sent this to you privately or in the thread that was deleted but have a read of this about growing a layout
http://yourmodelrailway.net/view_topic.php?id=10671&forum_id=6&highlight=sunil#p203627
and read the section up to and beyond it as well to see where this went!
Seeing you have a space of 6 x 8 might I suggest
1 2x8 section where your main station will be. At one end at least, curve the track so that it meets up with a section 18" by 2’ 6" which can be an extension making an L shape.
Then another 18"x8 section which will make the layout a U shape where you can create a staging yard! You will then have a 30" space as an in between aisle to work within.
Because these modules are small, they should be lighter weight particularly if you use foam for a base and easier to store. The framing and legs could also be lighter as well.
You could then complete a circuit by making another 18" x 30" block which could bridge it so you are enclosed.
If you would like a diagram, let me know and I have a method of making very lightweight but very strong framing using plywood strips and timber offcuts. My private email is xdford47@yahoo.com.au
The ball is in your court mate!
Regards from Australia
Trevor
Trouble is curvature, I tried a donut scheme with 24 radius curves, they ate about 2ft 8in of shelf leaving very little room for stuff, now if instead of a curve I put something that adds operational interest like a switchback, requiring trains to back or pull into the tail track and then change direction to round the corner then maybe…
24" Radius may be “nice”, but 22" for a small switching layout will be just fine. You’re looking at slow speeds, smooth track, and operation. Not running a bulllet train…
Quick image - 6x8 area, 18" maximum depth on layout surface, and displayed 24" and 22" curves. It’s totally doable if you don’t visualize things as “straight lines”, and understand that even in the real world, things are curved to follow property lines, roads, etc. Adjusting your scenery, structures, and plan to account for that will help you greatly.
Also - thinking out loud again…
Limiting yourself to perfect 90* angles in the corners of the “pit” greatly reduces the available space for scenery due to the curve of the track. Radiusing the pit edges with a curved facia would gain you a few inches outside of the curves to help break up the impact on the scene.
Somehow I didn’t get that memo. Darn things, I have seven of them on my layout! The wiring was a pain since they were power routing, and I needed them not to do that since the layout was DCC and I wanted all the tracks powered. They are also pricey for first time layout builders. Still, I am very satisfied with them and glad to have gone through the effort to get more switching options from the layout.
Steven,
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It has been two weeks since an update on your layout. I hope this project did not “derail”, and there is progress to report.
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Let us know.
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-Kevin
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Plan has not derailed, the track plan is still in the works I’m hoping to have it done this week.