I posted a brief description in the “How far along are you” thread, but after looking at a few things about my layout plans more closely I wanted to start a thread to get some direct feedback.
The current situation (for the foreseeable future) is that I have an area that is 43" wide by 84" deep to put a layout – that layout itself will be 43" wide by 72" deep (with an aisle and a pop-up hatch for access). It’s basically a backwards “P”.
Another given is that I’ll be using HO even though N would give me more flexibility; I’ve always used HO and I have HO equipment (and a wife that would be none too happy if I went out and bought a bunch of N equipment too). From looking at shunting and switching layouts, I know I can get something to work within these constraints.
But, another given is that there needs to be the ability to run in continuous mode. I have a 2 y/o son that is a big factor in me building the layout and will need to be able to run some trains with my supervision. I realize that is the sticking point that is going to make this difficult.
I haven’t gotten a chance to draw up some track plans yet – I’m gonna start with the Atlas program. Here is a link to some layout shape alternatives I’ve come up with: Layout plans.
My experience is that as a kid we would pull out the oval every Christmas to let the trains run around under the tree. But, I’m a quick study and my father-in-law is building his layout and is moderately experienced.
So, I’m coming to you experts and/or enthusiasts to chime in - am I foolish to think I can get something done in the space provided, or will this be a challenging experience for me to learn the skills I’ll need to build a more elaborate layou
Basically with a 43" wide area you are pretty much limited to a loop of 18" radius with a couple spurs into the little stub area. You don’t even have enough room to position a switch to put anything into the center of the loop.
Suggestion. Squeeze the width of the “blob down to about 38-39” and then put a little benchwork along the other side of the “aisle” Making the layout a “g” rather than a “p” . Put your loop in the blob and then build a narrow switching layout on the back and one side.
Alternate, since the loop is for your son and he probably just wants motion, not prototype, make the loop 15" radius and run a 4 axle switcher and some short cars around the loop. That gains you 6" of room. Enough to put some switching on all three sides of the “aisle”, even if the switching area is only 4-6" wide.
You can even run with two trains, a lot of near hits; using the cassette, when the boy is asleep gives daddy some switching fun. Layout size is 72 x 43; must have been sleeping.
And if I remember correctly from that other thread - you have walls on three sides of that area, right? Like a walk-in closet that is 3.5 feet wide and 7 feet deep ? Or am I remembering wrong ?
That’s correct - I’m boxed in. But, I really hadn’t considered using the whole space before, but if I’m going to have an access pop-up anyhow then I might as well extend it out. So, I’m going to what possibilities that opens up for me.
Not being a father myself I am reluctant to chime in about just how much your track plan should cater to your 2 year old son, but my own feeling is, the continuous running part is eliminating or compromising a lot of very nice options that space could provide.
I visited a layout years ago on an NMRA tour that was small, point to point, and underneath it the dad had constructed a (well lit with light fixtures meant for underneath kitchen cabinets) Lionel layout on or just above the floor for his post toddler son (and the boy came up to all of his with his “own” guest book and demanded that we sign in, just as we had all signed in the father’s guest register – very cute, and the visitors were careful to praise, photograph and pay attention to both layouts). I seem to recall Model Railroader’s Jim Hediger did the same with his sons when they were very young – dad’s layout was up above, the boys’ layout was tinplate down below. Work sessions could be shared time together which I totally agree is a good and fun thing.
If you eliminate the continuous running you could have a pretty nice U shaped point to point switching layout with a yard on one end serving an industrial district at the other, with some scenic possibilities in between (and the tinplate oval layout would be at the base of the U). Curves will still be sharp but an SW type switcher or Geep can handle curves like that.
