Hello this is my first post. I am looking for some help. Grampa and I built my son a 4X8 table for his train. We built a quick layout to get him going, now he wants to make some changes. Some of the track was purchased on Ebay and was in pretty rough bad shape so we are going to start over now that we have some new flex track. My son would like us to help him build something with 4 levels high he wants tunnels bridges. So the goal is not to have a realistic layout just something that is kid fun in a Dr. Suess kind of way. Are there any links or photos of non-scaled railroad layouts out there to get some ideas from? He has three engines to use so it should make it easier to push the up and down grades of 4 degrees. Can the grades be steeper? I have been looking on the web for Ideas but I have not had much luck finding anything that is geared towards non realistic layouts. The layout will have to be limited to a 4X8 table.
Have a look at the layout of poster Geohan (http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/185346.aspx). It is not particularily unrealistic, but maybe it can give you some ideas of how to have several levels in a 4x8, with bridges and tunnels.
Smile,
Stein
When you say 4x8 table do you mean a flat top? I think it is going to be real challenging to get 4 levels from a flat top table. 2 levels is hard enough using the Atlas type pier set to raise the track. Now if you are going to cut strips of plywood to go under the track it will be easier other than the transition to and from the flat surface.
Is this HO scale? I’ve seen some layout books for the Lionel trains that emphasized massive amounts of non-realistic track just sort of running around for fun. While they are for 3 rail stuff nothing says one could copy the idea. Perhaps that would work?
In the, “There’s a prototype for anything,” department, the Ali-Shan Forestry Railway (Taiwan) has an interesting feature at a place called Tsu-Li Shan. The railroad takes three full turns around a potato-shaped mountain spur, then finishes on the fourth level with a (sort of) figure eight - all on a continuous steep grade. Lots of tunnels, not too many bridges - but there’s no law that says you can’t gouge a gorge or two into the spur to give your steel arch or deck truss a home.
One thing to be aware of - you can run four percent grades - with short trains of short cars and LOTS of locomotive tractive effort. I do, though not on a 4 x 8, and never on a flat-topped table.
A LONG time ago, John Armstrong designed a layout that wound round and round, climbing like a homesick angel, with reverse loops top and bottom. It was published in MR back when I was still single. If you can get an accurate date, our hosts can probably provide you with a photocopy of the article. Note that it WON’T have any construction details. As John was quoted by, I believe, Jim Hediger, “I just design track plans. I leave the engineering up to the builder.”
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - considering Tsu-Li Shan in HOn762)
I suggest you use toy train layouts for inspiration. Many of these are non realistic and have multiple levels.
A good way to do multiple levels in a small area is to not connect the levels. You will naturally need tunnels and bridges with this kind of layout. Usually each level is a continuous loop with one or more being a figure 8. You can add sidings and spurs as desired. The advantages of this approach include not having to have steep grades and being able to easily run multiple trains by one operator. You could also do multiple scales with O or S on the bottom, then HO in the middle, and N or Z on the top. One level could be narrow gauge.
Good luck
Paul
Ditto to this suggestion, although I would stay away from the N and Z. They are probably too small for a young person.
Ray
You don’t have to connect the levels. If you’re not fussy about realism, moving cars and engines from level to level by hands is fine, particularly for a kid.
You will be hard pressed to get multiple levels in HO scale on a 4x8. Without, as suggested, that you have a few different levels of disconnected loops.
A small child is probably more interested in “seeing the trains go” than in switching around cars in a yard. SO 2 or 3 levels of continuous loops going in and out of tunnels is a good idea.
I would also stay away from N and Z scale as they are very small.
Be carefull of getting a up & over trestle set as they generally won’t fit in a 4x8 and they are generally a 4% grade which is hard for locos to pull.
Woodland Scenics makes “risers” {pillars so to speak all the same height} and “inclines” {ramps in 2%, 3%, 4% grades} of flexible styrofoam that especially the risers can come in handy for your elevated levels by using the risers. DOn’t forget to include some bridges to go over lower level tracks!
If you DO do grades {highs and lows} stay away from 3% and 4% grades. The best realistic grade for a train to pull is 2%. SOme good locos will pull better, but I would stick with cheaper locos and equipment until he is old enough to value them.
As an aside, if he is really young there are Thomas Ho scale electric sets available here:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/HOProducts2.asp?Scale=HO&Item=160Thomas
There is also some electric lego train sets made with legos.here:
http://shop.lego.com/ByTheme/Department.aspx?d=328&CMP=KAC-SAHGOOGLEUS&HQS=lego+train+set
Then there is good old Lionel O guage trains.
Good luck with your efforts and hopefully you have found a hobby both of you can enjoy together as you build and run the layout!
[8-|]
This does not fit original poster’s specifications and requirements but it may suggest some ideas. It is a design for a N scale layout in a 5 by 6 foot U shaped space. Runs from low elevation hidden layover staging, “Aaron” (Level 1) to a visible town with a couple of sidings, “Billville”, then on the side of cliff with a siding alongside that could be for log loading maybe, “Camden Spur”, (Level 2) already one full level over the hidden staging…
around an end curve in a tunnel and over itself on a high trestle at “Deer Gap:” (level 3) through a tunnel and on a trestle over Billville at “Earley Trestle” (level 3 1/2) throughn anotherntunnel up up up and on the side of a ledge over Deer Gap at “Faulk” (level 4) and climbing, climbing, making a hairpin curve around Glass Lake to gain elevation through “Hiline” and “Eye of the Needle Tunnel” finally up to the top of the world at “Iceland”.
Does your engineer know his A B Cs? Notice that the places along the line are named in alphabetical order. If the youngster gets that, he qualifies not only as an eingeer but as an abecedarian. (Medieval Latin scholarly word for someone who knows ABCs, from a time when few people did!)
A couple of quick suggestions. First, try the Atlas web site http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/index.htm They have about a zillion layouts already figured out with a big emphasis on kids fun running. One of my first layouts as a kid as from the Atlas plan book.
Also take a look at the downloads right here on the MR site http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-model-railroading-digital-downloads-downloadable-articles-layout-ideas.html
They have several downloadable articles on small railroads. There are also several books published by Kalmbach and others that describe to to build a basic model railroad. Some may be available at a local library, and of course from Kalmbach or Amazon.