I’ve got a handful of layout book, sites, etc., but just off the top of anyone’s head, especially if it’s from personal experience;
In other words, something that would keep the two of us busy for an hour or so at a time, once complete.
Which books do you have? It would help if we could choose one from those instead of referencing yet something else.
Here is a small one (4x12) that my son had a variation of. We regularly kept three trains busy on it.
What do you consider mid-size? But a bigger point. Has he been introduced to running the train on a schedule, and making smooth stops and starts? I have a box car with a ball bearing in it that buzzes if the train starts or stops too fast. It really makes engineering the train more challenging.
So the current layout is just a loop of track with no sidings or spurs at all?
When my grandkids come over (6,8,8,12YO) they want to run trains in circles. I have a little switching activity that carries logs down a switchback from the camp to the mill. One liked that a little, but they like to have two or three trains going in a loop.
Well there’s always the “World’s Greatest Hobby” layout, which fits on a 4x8 sheet of plywood. There is a video and DVD available (hosted by Michael Gross) that shows how to build it, and Kato and Bachmann (and maybe Atlas??) offer track packs with their combined track/roadbed style track that has all the track you need to build the layout.
International Hobby Corp has the “One Evening Railroad Empire”- 4X8, but it looks like it only has one oval track.
After re-readin the particulars, looks as if all they give you is just a mat to cover the board with. No price is listed.
Mailman,
There was a fascinating one (at least to me) in Iain Rice’s Mid-size Track plan book.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0890246238/ref=pd_bxgy_img_b/104-9275824-6811112?ie=UTF8
His was an industrial steel layout based in Gary, IN, with lotsa switching and continuous running possibilities.
[Edit: Perfect! I found the book on Kalmbach’s web site and they use that particular layout as the example:
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/kalmbachcatalog/12245spreads.pdf
The layout is a 12 x 12 but I’m sure you can tailor the plan to accommodate the size of your space, if need be - or at least take some ideas away from it to use in your own design.]
Anyway, I always enjoy looking at Iain’s creations. He’s really into those sweeping curves and his layout designs always seem believable, without it looking too busy.
Hope that’s a help…
Tom
there are a ton of layout plans here:
http://www.thortrains.net/marx/funlaydx.html
More here:
http://www.thortrains.net/marx/kdlayhoa.html
even more one level up here:
www.thortrains.net/index.html
good luck.
Kevin
If you’re definitely past the “trains going round and round” phase, and want to do some interesting switching stuff, I recommend doing a shelf-style point-to-point layout - maybe with a turntable on each end to turn the engines the other direction. There’s plenty of discussion out there in the ether as to how much more operating layout you can put on a shelf system in the same space you would need for a standard 4x8 “table” layout.
Thanks for the info. everyone !
You know, I was just thinking of a point-to-point shelf layout, think we’ll look at that. Do an “around the walls” setup.
I found with my nephew, that he is also really interested in operating non train aspects of the layout. loading and unloading trucks coming to stations ans so forth. so one thing you need to remember is that the kid needs to be able to reach all aspects of the layout easily, so he can “drive” the trucks down the roads without damaging houses with his elbow.
kevin
I like that track plan as well. But I’ve never held Gary Indiana in high reguard. I’d have to change the name. However, I do see Steeltown a couple times a year off the I-90 going into Chicago.
True. Sadly, Gary isn’t the prettiest place to drive either through or around. It’s too bad. The song from the Music Man always makes it sound like such a homey, peaceful, can’t-wait-to-get-back-there kinda place. I do know a couple of Gary, IN jokes but I’ll refrain…
Tom
I built this one several years ago when my son was around 6 yrs. old. Its an Atlas layout. You can check it out on their website. Lots of fun to operate. Has a reverseing loop to change direction of trains. Never tired of running trains on this layout.