I would like to model a part of the D&RGW railway in a small space using HO scale. Is it possible using the photo below as a guide, including a small yard? If so, how small? 4 x 8? Or should I switch scales and use N scale? If so, how big? Thanks
4x8 is about as small as you could go in HO and still include a curve like the one shown . N would be better since the scenery tends to be more impressive , and the smaller size makes realistic length trains possible , but it’s really a matter of choice .
If I don’t say this someone else will…
As someone who doesn’t like 8x4s…
If the spce you have will let you walk round the 8x4 and you can put a layout “round the walls” you will get a far better layout round the outside of an 8x4 space than in it. In H0 that curve could look really nice… in N it could look superb… provided you have good eyesight [;)]
Check out this photo of Mike Danneman’s N Scale layout. This scene could easily be recreated on a 36x80 hollow core door.
Here’s another view of the same scene
For more of Mike’s excellent layout, check out the March '96 issue of Model Railroader Magazine.
Is the current space limited to a 4x8 or is that just thrown out. In HO, on a 4x8 one could model the scene in the photograph but that would be the whole layout… I would say for HO to get that photo and a small yard one would need a least a 4x12 (assuming one is going for the table railroad). The other option would be for a shelf type layout, With that, one could probably do that given scene in 2x8 and the yard on another 2x8 and connect them around the room.
Living here in Rio Grande territory, there are lots of “parts” of the D&RGW that can be modeled. The photo provided is not one of the Grande’s most interesting or dramatic locations. There was a thread from much earlier where “electrolove” was looking for interesting and distinctive D&RGW scenes. I think we ended up with about 14 listed. If the web sites search engine was working it would be easy to find. Right now I am guessing it would be about 100 pages back.
Here’s a small-to-medium layout that is “loosely” based on the DSNG RR from Durango to Silverton, CO. It was designed to fit into a family or “media” room, leaving room for sofa or lounge chairs and “media” center of some kind on the wall opposite the MRR.
Fortunately we were able to move our “media”, such as it was to a spare bedroom and leave much more room for accessing the RR. It consists of 2 small modules (4X6 and 4X4) connected by an 18" deep X 5’ long module. Of course it’s designed for small trains, but it’s fun.
Thanks for all the great advice. We’re moving to another house soon and was trying figure out the best kind of layout configuration and table size to build for 10 x 12 room and still have enough room for a small “home” office. I really enjoy the D&RGW line and wanted to recreate part of it. It sounds like N-Scale maybe the way to go. I use to model in HO scale years ago with a 4x8 layout and is now returning to the hobby for good. I can only dream of having a space of 20x20, realty is a space of 10x12 or 11x13 if I’m lucky. Sounds like it’s time to give N-scale a try, it looks like they’ve really added quite a few accessories for N-scalers. Thanks again.
Why not build a 10x12 shelf layout, all the way around the room? Using shelves 1 or 2 feet thick, and a swinging gate or lift-out section at the door of the room, you could have a layout that gives you room to model the mountain scene in your original photo along one wall, a comfortably sized yard along another wall, and then some industries along the other two walls. If you place the layout at a comfortable access height of around 48-50" off the ground, you can put furniture, including desks and shelves, under the layout where they are still functional and accessible, and have a reasonably-sized open space in the middle of the room.