I bought a handy dandy book on building your first HO scale rr from start to finish, but the writer can’t seem to make up his mind about whether the beginner should do that first, small layout (probably a good idea!) on a common 4x8 sheet of plywood or not. It seems he’s recommending it and then later he advocates getting away from it if possible and do an around the wall type. I understand his contention that the 4x8 actually takes up about 8x12 feet of floor space, counting aisle space around it and the shelf type layout takes up less space and you have more of the feeling that the train is really going somewhere, but a dogbone type shelf layout requires a good bit more planing for the bench work unless you just build a … say… 4x4 foot square table at each end connected by a 30 inch wide, or so… connecting the two.
But, to a beginner like me, it seems like the simple 4x8 would be much the simpler and would get you on to the next stage of learning about laying track, scenery etc.
What would you advise? Do the 4x8 to learn on, knowing you’ll probably tear it up and go with a shelf type later? Or not?
Jacon
I suspect the real questions are “What space do you have and what do you want out of a model RR?” Take what is easiest for you to construct. My 1st. HO was a “shelf” attached to a wall (L girder) which I built by myself. No help from mom or dad!! a simple classification yard with switching leads, and approach. (I had “land grant” for an additional 10x12, and actually got some of the bench and RoW built - but that is another story.
At a later time I had the opportunity to build a small “Atlas Flat-top” - and I did! It was quick & simple - with different operating philosophy. I got continuious running, switchback, interchange, yard, and 2 passing tracks. Again - it was what I wanted at the time.
Grab the loco by the cowcatcher and BUILD SOMETHING [:D]
Just my opinion, but since you asked. You seem to be hinting that in your mind this first layout is for learning (aren’t they all) and that you do intend to dismantle it later and build something bigger/different once you’ve had some experience at all phases of layout building.
If that is the case then I’d suggest going ahead with the 4x8. I think you’ll get up and running faster, and have a chance to do all the other layout building phases you want to try. Lot’s of decent 4x8 track plans around to choose from.
Anyway, opinions are like [censored] , everyone’s got one. There you go with one data point.
Regards
Ed
Jacon12, it is difficult to advise folks on which way to go with their first effort. If you are handy with tools and planning, I would suggest buying some scale paper (Staples, Office Depot) and make a scale drawing of your “dream layout.” This will help you come to invision the reaities of demension limitations, minimum radius curves, placement and location of structures and scenery. You might wi***o make several copies of your final draft for reference to wiring diagrams as well. Things will go much easier if you have a scale drawing to refer to before you drive that first spike. There are many things to consider, i.e. road bed, gluing or spiking the track, level of difficulty with wiring, switch machines or ground throws, et al. But first, get a track plan on scale paper so you don’t “paint yourself into a corner” with random construction.
Hello Jacon,
I just went thru the same thing this last December. But with two kids my decision was made. I put a single loop on a 4 x 8 in about 20 minutes. All we had was a single piece of plywood, and two saw horses. Simple and quick gratification. We have since built the benchwork, and added more loops and track and scenery. Build what you want and enjoy.
Tim
If you think you would learn on the 4x8 and then scrap it in favor of a dog-bone shelf layout, why not initially build the ends of the dogbone with a very short connecting section joining them?
Put a small yard or a siding & some industries in the loop. Or a small mountain or village to help sharpen your scenery skills.
Practice, learn, make mistakes & improve on these end loops. If in the end you wind up with useless pieces of scrap, then toss them and move on. If as is more likely, you end up with some nice work, then remove the short connecting secion, move the loops apart and build the meat of your layout between them.
As you can see, I hate to throw anything out.
Wayne
Yes, I, too, would advocate that you design the ‘big one’ first, and then consider learning on one chunk of it that fits on a 4X8 section that you can mate to the ‘big one’ later.
Does that make sense? Dream and plan big (great for providing impetus, and keeping you dreaming and motivated), but work small initially for learning, both what you can and can’t/won’t do, and to give you a chance to find out what changes to make to the dream layout with the benefit of experience.
Good luck, Friend.