Hey all! I liked the idea of “N scale on a door”, but decided to go with HO. Before I go “whole hog” with a “big” layout, I wanted to do something small so I can practice all the basics - laying track, working with foam, scenery, etc. This will also give me something to do while I plan “the big one”.
I’ve looked for some interesting switching layouts, but nothing really caught my eye. The Micro Layout Design site was ok, but didn’t really do anything for me. I don’t want a “Time Saver” layout as from what I’ve read they don’t usually model the “real world”.
The door I’ve got is 79"x32". I’ve got some ideas, but thought I’d post to see if anyone had a good resource that I might have missed. I’m still gathering info from around my area (Cincinnati) to see if there are local industries I might be able to model, but I’d love input from the board here. I’m thinking present era, but might slide into the 70s/80s period. I’ve got some 2" foam cut (not glued yet) and ready to go and have some code 83 track and got a couple of box cars to play around with. (Wow, it’s amazing what good quality stuff is! The old stuff I have is Tyco!)
Did you look at the other sections of Microlayout designs besides “Timesavers”? Most of the good switching layout ideas over the years have been captured by Carl at his site. My favorite is the Gum Stump and Snowshoe, but it wouldn’t fit very well with your era.
Another approach would be something similar to the dining room table layout in the April 2006 Model Railroader. You could fit 14"-15" radius curves on your door. This would limit the rolling stock and locos you could use.
Don’t forget, you can lift a town section from a much larger track plan, or use one side of a 4x6 or 4x8 plan. Finally, one of the MR Planning annual issues of a couple of years ago had 10 different shelf layouts.
You would have much more room if you thought more in a serpantine rather than linear fashion. Think snake or horseshoe… That uses more of the available space and allows for more interesting possibilities.
What are your “givens and druthers” for this layout? What do you want this layout to do–what are you trying to model? Without some basic assumptions it’s kind of hard to narrow it down, even on a door-sized layout. 70s to present day gives you a fairly broad timeframe, but it does narrow things down somewhat…what else do you want to do with this layout–or, perhaps more appropriately, for the one you want to build after this one? Giving that some thought provides a way to research the lessons you most want to learn.
Thanks for the replies! I guess I do need to give more specifics - not sure how much info counts as “givens and druthers”.
I’m thinking in terms of an industrial switching layout. No need for many curves and that kind of thing. As Fred W pointed out, I could (and have been looking at) a switching section from a larger layout. Something like the Railroad Model Craftsman April 2006 feature (sorry to mention that other mag, MR!) but I’d like to get a little mix of scenery - like maybe a creek - to work on some of those techniques. Maybe a small yard with some industry sidings? The main line would just run though - the idea being that maybe I can use this as a module for a larger layout. NS/CSX/I&O for “present” or B&O/C&O for later - I’m guessing this would depend on the industries I choose. I’ve read parts of “Track Planning for Realistic Operation” and want something that would be somewhat realistic even in my small space.
The Kalmbach book, “101 Trackplans,” has a small horseshoe layout that has a yard, more than a few industrial switching possibilities and opportunities for interesting scenery. I don’t remember its number, but it’s in the small layout section near the front of the book. Fwright is correct, for you size door, you’ll have to go with small radius curves limiting you to short wheelbase locomotives and abosolutely no more than 50’ rolling stock (40’ would be better.)
I’ll have to check out that “101 Track Plans” book. I’m not too sure I’ll have a radius problem. I’m not planning on major curves - or do I need to worry about #4 vs #6 turnouts for the sidings? Any industries requiring long cars would be closer to the main/lead (or is that the arrival/departure even if not in a yard? Still trying to get all the terms down!) so the siding wouldn’t have a major curve to get in and out of. I have a 60’ boxcar that runs fine on the Atlas #4 turnouts I have.
If you plan on running big six-axle diesels and modern 80-90 foot rolling stock, #6 turnouts are advisable. 101 Track Plans is okay but frankly the layouts are kind of outdated, and there are maybe four or five that would fit the description. If your plan is to use larger equipment, I would take a look at some of the switching layouts on Carl Arendt’s site (www.carendt.com) and then consider doubling the size of any layout on there. Most of the mini layouts are intended for stubby locomotives and short cars, but by using a track plan intended for, say, a 12x48 inch area and blowing it up to the size of a door, you give yourself extra room for big equipment and scenery.
One thing to consider on a door-sized layout: Lay your mainline across a tangent, rather than straight from one end to the other. This will give you about 85 inches of mainline run, and separate the door into two triangles. It will then be easier to use the space in the triangles for more track, but the foreground and background will still have space for some scenery.
The “Timesaver” plan itself isn’t very realistic, but there are plenty of “Timesaver” type plans that are useful and usable–there are many variants, the idea is to use the Armstrong book and some common sense to find a track plan that will be useful (it accomplishes some work and therefore can be operated) and complex enough to be interesting (some geographical or other feature that makes things slightly less simple, but in a realistic way.)
Here’s a photo of my own shelf layout–the visible section here is 6 feet long and 1 foot deep. It uses extremely sharp turnouts (Peco short-radius curved turnouts, sharper than a #4) because my equipment is all pretty stubby, but the principles are the same–the plan is, basically, a runaround track in the center with several spurs serving industries.
which reminds me, I really need to take some new photos…
If you are checking out “101 track plans” do look up “48 top notch track plans” also by Kalmbach. On page 19 is a 2x10 feet switching layout, The third street industral district by Bill Baumann, that might give you ideas.
It has a mainlin curving through the scene, passing track, various spurs and a line going down to street level and going under the mainline to reach an industry.
An other option is on page 14 of the said book, railroading for citylovers by Larry Forgard. That one features an double track with branching single track, underpasses for the roads and some industries. Size is 2x7 feet.
Both have appeared in MR in the eighties I believe.
Other trackplans in that book moght give you some ideas too.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Marc Immeker
Jetrock, thanks for the idea of a tangent! That makes a lot of sense. I was just reading someplace about making use of tangents, but didn’t see where that fit into my plan, but now I understand! Marc, I’ll check out the 48 plans book as well!
I’ve been getting some good feedback regarding some local Cinti industries from a mailing list I’m on - just started railfanning the area so I’m learning!
Of course I’ll be sure to keep you guys posted! These forums have been great! I’m very please that the hobby seems to have some really nice people!
Jetrock, please post more pics if you have them! Looks nice!
Here’s another shot that will give you a better idea of the track plan, done at the benchwork stage–I later added one more track to the little yard on the right.
The module just behind that one–a four-track yard with an escape track. The “main line” in the above photo also serves as the yard lead. This was the prototype practice at the real Haggin Yard.
I really have to take some new photos…
