Has anyone built a layout in their apartment? I’m referring to a layout built up off of the floor, not track on the ground.
Any pictures or plans would be appreciated.
This is an interesting idea! It is possible, if you can find the space. I had 2 N scale layouts in my apartment days, loved it. Of course, around the ceiling is possible.
Sounds like fun!
Paul
For what it is worth, I have been contemplating this theme, not because I intend to act upon it, but more as a means to encourage others to take up one of the various large scales. I really regret boxing up my trains for 20+ years, as I could have had a nice layout as an excuse to build and maintain skills. Looking forward, it may be a way to let the kids participate in the hobby when they fly the coop!
Brainstorming only, were I to try, I would focus on a small yard, industrial area, or extractive industry. This would enable the use of small locomotives and, in the case of an extractive industry like sugar mill or mine, small train cars, shorty coaches, and railbuses or railtrucks. Small motive power and rolling stock also enables tight radii curves, and we’ve sure taken advantage of that on our outdoor layout! We pack our tracks pretty tightly, and I would guess you could run three in parallel in less than 36" of width.
If you are interested, I can take and post some photos of a cross-over section as well as our sugar mill area. The former would be an approximate minimum width; the latter an idea for an industrial area or extrative industry. Fun and durability are my watchwords, but with care you could probably compress the latter using flats or more delicate construction.
Aloha,
Eric