I'm thinking point to point...

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi everybody,

i’m looking for a layout design. one of my earlier forums gave me this idea. i’m thinking of a point to point layout for a 4 by 8 sheet of styrofoam. because all i have is an S3 switcher and rolling stock no longer than 50 scale feet so i thought this was a good idea. i just need help finding a layout with room for scenery and possibly a town. because my layout is a fold-away, i can’t cut it up into L-girder size. please fire some suggestions at me.

Thanks,

2

Is it a walkaround, so you can get to all sides?

If so, a scenic block down the center would work, with track only running around one end. The two “terminals” of the railroad would end up being 16 running feet apart, and you wouldn’t be able to see from one to the other at track level. You might even run the scenic block the entire length of the layout (on a bit of a diagonal to get rid of the straight-line, linear look) and put a tunnel at one end to separate the sides.

3

well…

i can only access three out of four sides because it is hinged to the wall. the scenic block sounds interesting though…

4

You might want to consider putting in a hidden continuous run connection at the wall end of the layout.

In other words, your basic track plan will look like the letter “U” with a yard or industry perhaps at each tip of the U, the “points” of the point-to-point. The bottom of the U will be at the open end of your table.

If you can sneak in a turnout at each tip of the U and connect them, you have the option of letting a train run continuously or operating point to point. Disguise where the connection goes through your divider with a hill, bridges, trees, large building or something to make it less obvious that the connection is there.

5

Yes you BETTER put in a continous run (roundy-round) connection or the Roundy-Round police will be there any minute to take the whole layout :wink:

BOB H - Clarion, PA

6

You have a permit for that point-to-point son?

Then you better come with me.

7

It looks to me you have a problem that most of us dont have. A swing up shelf layout, 4 feet wide will he extramely hard to reach to the back of. Being you want a town it will have to be hinged from the wall, equal or more then what your firmly secured buildings height will be, and be lachable in the up position. You may want to consider a narrower layout, low buildings and there are some nice complicated swiching yards that may fit to your liking. Just my 2 cents…John