NEW TO MODEL RAILROADING, please be kind[:)]
I am building a small layout compared to your gentlemans fine work, (minor kissup) It is a figure 8 within an oval, due to space the buildings will be on the insides of the figure 8 and between the outer and inner track at the cross of the figure 8.
I am creating a farm layout at one end, using the Abner’s Equipment shed at the one side of the X; and probably a fire house at the other. My question is how would you arrange the houses of the town in the other oval. I am using Lemax/Dept 56 houses my wife had with a few additions.
The layout is 5 x 9 (an old retired ping pong table) open on all sides, I posted a similar questoin on the OGR forum with limited response (my name there is Deereman) but that was taken here.
Thanks
Hi Bob,
check out my web page by clicking on the web icon below. I have a small layout 5 x 9 for my circus and my x-mas is almost what you have which is 4 x 8.
tom
I would organize the town in a diagonal direction, or possibly even in a curved dimension. Not only will the angle provide interest, it also will make the layout appear larger.
First…drum roll please
[#welcome]Welcome to the CTT forum [#welcome] We’re glad you are are here.
Second…no drum roll needed.
Arrange your layout to what ever suits you. I guarantee there is no right or wrong way, just many ways.
Third…again no drum roll needed.
If you want to practice, buy some of that brown wrapping paper and draw your layout full size. Use whatever you want to simulate houses, buildings, etc. Again, you will get an idea of what you’re trying to do without carpentry work.
And finally, if you ever see an A.O. Smith Silo in O scale (the blue ones for you non farm folk) , drop me a note. My farm needs one badly.
Buckeye, I think Ertl used to make that silo or something like it, how about the one on the left?

WOW!!!
An Ertl A.O. Smith Silo!!! I have seen it in the background on other layouts but never this close up. I now know what I need to look for. Thanks Big Boy!!
As you can see Buckeye Bob’s Farm is in need of a silo, but right now someone left the barn door open and the cows are getting out. But his faithful hound dog, Brutus has things under control.

I think I picked that up in a full farm set when we went to Dyersville to visit the factory in '92. I don’t know if it was ever sold seperately. That one was on the mall layout, you can just see the top behind the barn.[:D]

That is the layout I started in grade school and now I (finally) have a 14x28 space in the lower level of our house with a spur running into the family room and back through a mountain. Start small and grow. No mistakes (?misteaks) are fatal only learning tools.
Good luck with a lifetime hobby. roger
That is the layout I started in grade school and now I (finally) have a 14x28 space in the lower level of our house with a spur running into the family room and back through a mountain. Start small and grow. No mistakes (?misteaks) are fatal only learning tools.
Good luck with a lifetime hobby. We have 12 grandchildren and the railroad gets them to visit more often than they might otherwise. It is great fun! As is said in Disneyland on the west coast - for kids of all ages! roger