Im looking for some help here. This will be my first layout. I will be doing a typical 4x8 HO scale layout. I do not have a preference concerning the era. I would like to center the layout around the coal industry. I want to have a coal mine/ town. I am having a really hard time finding a layout that is 4x8 plus a coal mines/town. Can anyone possible help me?
Thanks in advance
Jeremy
[#welcome] try page 2 general discussion forum you’ll find a group called 4x8 compettition try there
I’m having a ball on a 4 X 8. My layout has two levels with a two turn helix at one end. The helix is half exposed as a pair of concentric curved timber trestles that connect to tunnels. That allows me to have an uper level and lower level (terraced, not above one another). On the lower level I have a sawmill and a few industries that use the milled wood, on the upper level is a logging camp. You might find that a similar approach works for you.
The downside is that it’s a point to point layout, so there’s no continuois run, but real trains don’t go in circles. I run geared steam locomotives, so my scale speeds make it a 5 minute trip from one end of the main line to the other.
I’ll send photos and/or a sketch of the track plan if you want. Just ask.
Good luck and remember to plan carefully, it will save you lots of headaches later.
Best regards,
Phil
I for one would like to see your photos and track plan. We will be starting a 4X8 for my son after Christmas and I am looking for ideas. Thanks in advance.
There is a book out there called, “Ho Railroad That Grows”. It features a mine and a town in 4X8 as I recall. The final stage of the plan adds a fold down shelf for a yard. Not sure if you can find this book anymore. If you want a scan of the layout I could send something along. Don’t think I can post here though as it is copywritten material.
Atlas has a reasonable 1st 4x8 layout that features a mining branch and a small yard with a figure 8 configuration. See it at http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/pages/10033.htm. It’s one of my favorite 5 4x8 plans, and it’s buildable.
Drawbacks are (with almost any 4x8) short trains and sharp curves. You will not be able to get anything but switchers and 40ft or less cars on the 15" radius curves on the mining wye. Nor is there room for anything bigger on the wye tail tracks.
Another great 4x8 IMHO is Harold Minkwitz’s Pacific Coast Air Line Railway (see it at http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/main_page/. Although originally built for On30, it would be a great plan for an HO coal mining layout. The reversing diagonal works well for a empties in/loads out scenario with a backdrop down the middle and the mine in the front against the backdrop. Behind the backdrop, you have another town and/or staging tracks. Again, this was originally built with all sectional track. The reversing diagonal was improved by substituting some flex track.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W