I’m looking at building a 4x8 foot layout. It can either be HO or N scale, I have plenty of both models. I’ve looked at various websites, including Atlas, and KATO for their trackplans, while they look nice, they just aren’t “doin’ it” for me.
So I’m tapping into the knowledge base here.
Here’s the desired operations I’d like to encompass.
Era: Present Day (no earlier than 1990)
Some active switching operations with a little challenge.
Mainline operation, two tracks preferred, but one track is fine as well.
Yard operations, maybe 4-6 tracks with engine service area. Can be more with N-scale.
Multi-level, maybe a hill to send a train (coal, rock or even lumber) up a branchline or something of that nature.
The layout will be run off of DCC (Digitrax Super Empire Builder), and I do plan on signaling the mainline, probably with the Atlas signal system, not firm on that as of yet.
I’m considering the 2-tier concept by putting a staging yard under the actual layout with a semi-helix to bring trains out of staging onto the mainline.
Also, I’m open to having a single track main on one “side” of the layout which would be mainline running in a rural setting and two track in an urban setting or vise versa.
I’m open to any and all suggestions, please post them here, or feel free to e-mail me at hoydie17 AT yahoo DOT com
Have you looked at any other sources of plans, such as the NMRA Gateway site? Particularly in HO, there are but just so many ways to skin the 4x8 cat. Most have been tried and published at one time or another. The common basic designs are once-around ovals, double track ovals, twice-around (pretty tough to do in HO with double track), loop-to-loop, simple out-and-back, and small point-to-point.
There are 2 huge limitations on the above with a 4x8, regardless of scale:
The biggest practical radius is 22", and that will be the outer track. Using a 22" radius severely limits the track plan possibilities. Recommended guidelines for rolling stock is no longer than 1/3 the length of the minimum radius for decent operation and keeping couplers inside the rails on curves. While you can exceed these guidelines, some of today’s rolling stock is longer than the 60 scale feet in HO which would be the guideline for those curves. If you use the more practical 18" radius, the problem gets even worse in HO. Although very few admit this publicly, traditional 4x8 track plans are not very compatible with modeling modern railroading in HO.
The other limitation is that a train length longer than about 60" is going to over-power the layout, and shorter would be more in keeping with the size of the layout. This means a modern locomotive and 7 50 ft cars in H
I hate following Fred. There’s so little to add. Certainly you can get a lot more track with N-scale–roughly 4 times the amount. Remember that if you include the walkway you need to get around a 4 x 8, you are looking at using a space roughly 9x11 and a 9 x 11 U-shape that size will open up a lot more possibilities. I built a 4x8 layout then added a foot along the side for staging. It was an easy addition. It is behind the backdrop.
Another trick you can use on a 4 x 8 is putting the backdrop down the center and creating two scenes–possibly a yard on one side and industrial switching on the other. One can kinda-sorta serve as staging for the other.
Given your space requirements, I’d have to say that going N-scale is a no brainer. But SpaceMouse and fwright make very good points, especially about the real space used by a 4x8 and that a U-shape can give you more possibilities in the same space.
I hate following Chip. There’s so little to add. (Now where have I heard that before…)
The ideas you’ve gotten alreadt are good ones. About all I can add is that I’m a big fan of designing your own layout. That way you get just what you want. It also allows you to express your creative side. You’re building your dream, not someone else’s.
With that said, I often draw on the ideas of others for inspiration. If I see a yard , or part of a yard, for example, that works for something I’m doing, I’ll “transplant” it, either in concept or actual design. looking at what others have done can be quite helpful. The catch is, there’s a lot of BAD design out there too. So you have to know the difference between the good and the bad.
