Hello, I’m Clifford
I live in a mobile home and am cramped for space. I have a 36" round ho track and need ideas on how to make a layout. I can only use up about 38" by 5 feet of space because it all has to be crammed between my bed and the wall.
any ideas? anyone know of any layout kits close to that size?
You could do several neat switching yards in that space. The puzzle switch would give opertational activity. To get a circle with yards you will need really small radius curves and will be limited to small engines either diesel or steam. I have a logging section with 15’ curves and run a climax and a shay there. Some tank engines also will work. Know what the theme is and something will emerge for that size.
You could have a great layout in N scale in that space. I don’t know what you have invested in your HO loop, but this might be a good time to switch scales.
If you are young (under 40 [:D]), SpaceMouse’s suggestion has a great deal of merit. Your eyes, barring some condition that you have, are likely better in low light, and your pupils can dilate more than they will when you are 50. So, your eyes have two advantages: they take in more light and they have better resolving power for close-set items…and small things. If you can tear yourself away from HO now (you can always hope that they will be salvageable when you turn 50), start in N scale and double your fun.
I have to agree with all of the above. I model N Scale. If any of you have ever lived in military base housing, you will know how cramped the basements are. N Scale is the way to go
Ditto to all of the above. I am a die-hard HO (close enough for company purposes - my prototype is not US) modeler, but even I can see the obvious. In HO, you can’t quite model the Jersey Central’s old Harlem River freighthouse in your space. In N scale, you have a potential empire. By the time age and physiology catch up to you, you should be able to find a big enough space to change scales.
The April 2006 issue of Model Railroader has an HO track plan very close to the size you posted built to fit on a dining room table. To get a practical design with some operating interest in HO in that space, you either have to go to a 15" radius (at least in many places), give up a continuous run, or watch the train chase it’s tail on 18" radius (what you have now).
Much of the fun of a small model railroad is building the thing and learning a lot about the hobby as you go, so even if a layout “kit” of the right size were available (which it isn’t), I would recommend not buying a layout kit.
Instead, create your own track plan using the Atlas RTS software (the software is a free download). You can use the track plan I mentioned as a starting point. When you have a plan you like, let others take a look and provide constructive criticism (if your ego can handle the hit). The Atlas software will provide a track list. By the way, the Atlas software also does N scale if you decide to go that direction.
With 15" radius curves, you will be limited as to locomotives and cars you can operate. Short locomotives - no more than 8 wheeled diesels and steam engines with 4 drivers (a small 6 driver steam engine will work) are the order of the day. HO cars need to be 7" or less long, which means no passenger cars except the old time or “Overton” types. But within these limits it is possible to have lots of fun. And you will learn lots and have fun until the day when a bigger space becomes available.
Also, check out this link for real inspiration on how to have fun in VERY small spaces: http://www.carendt.com/.
yours in modeling in small spaces
Fred W
You could also do On30 with your HO track, or do HOn30 with N gauge track. Both use small equipment and allow small radius turns to be more prototypical. Both are loads of fun. Think old time logging scene with rugged terrain and an old gear driven lokey rocking side to side toting a load of logs across a spindly trestle. Such is the allure of narrow gauging. Fred
The main problem with On30 is that while the equipment is comparatively short, it’s still bigger than HO (remember, a 24’ On30 boxcar is longer than a 40’ HO boxcar) and all the structures etcetera are twice as big. Besides, they make 0-4-0s and four-wheel diesel critters in standard gauge too…
You could always go for traction–streetcar layouts in HO can have curves as tight as 6"!
study study study, there are lots of ideas here and more in the “scrapbook” that should give you lots of options.
Actually structures are not twice as big because there are no factories and such, just 2 room shanties and such, so they stay about the same size overall. Bachman boxcars are as long as 40 foot HO boxes for sure, but they will also take 15 inch radius curves, and furthermore their appearance on a logging or mining layout are very very optional.
While streecar/trollies are nice the overhead wires can be delicate and easly broken during storage.
Narrow gauge is quite fun. It’s your world so you can do as you please for fun and not worry about rivet counters. In the woods there was a prototype for everything. O is big enough to superdetail without a magnifier, and the parts are readily avalible. I love On30! Fred