Is there anyone out there who could tell me if an HO scale layout would fit in a 3 foot X 8 foot area. All the plans I see in books show at least 4 feet (instead of 3). I guess what I am asking is whether or not the standard track sizes (radius) require a certain minimum size track width or length for HO. N looks too small for me. PS…I am new at this, but this is a major question as I get started. Thanks!!
Well, as long as you don’t want a loop, you’re fine. Just go with a switching layout.
Reed
Bnnboy—thanks for the response. Please forgive me for asking such simple questions, but let me clarify…I asume form your answer that I can not get a loop inside a 3 foot width for HO scale and therefore will need to go with n scale? Thanks.
Your max radius would be 16", so you really don’t have a wide selection on stuff that can handle it. I say go in N scale.
As I recall even the original, famous Gorre & Daphetid was about 3x6. I’ve designed made many layouts using 15" radius curves. One was specifically made to replace the top matris of a bunk bed. I used 18" curves as lead in (called an easement) to the tighter curves. I’ve seen layouts in HO scale with curves down to 12". Or as another person suggested make a switching layout. I have one that is 2’ x 18’.
If tiny radius loops are used you will have to run smaller equipment. 1870s era steam equpiment works well, as do things like Also S-2 switchers.
It is better If you could manage out 3.5 feet.
The unfinished layout shown here is 33" x 37" and is the smallest I would ever make and HO layout. It was planned for two stations. The black magic marker shows where one is planned. The other goes right across from the turnout along with a water tower. They are separated by both a creek and a foam hill.
While I think the other posters have already covered most of the important points, allow me to try putting one other spin on it.
The correct and most common advice on questions like this is almost always:
- Try to get more space to make it wider.
- Just do a switching layout (without loop).
- Use a minimum of 22" curves for best operation.
But it’s a fact of life that some of us are just going to have to live with small spaces. If 3’ is all you can get, and if you want a loop to provide the option for continuous operation, then yes you can do it in that space. It will mean using 15" radius curves, on which you will want to run only 4 axle diesels (maybe some small steam locos) and 40’ cars. Stay away from 6 axle diesels and longer modern cars.
(Note: Texas Zephyr is right that you would have room to use a section of 18" curve leading into a 15" radius curve as an easement. You don’t have room to do the whole curve in 18" radius, because while that’s 36"diameter, the outside dimension of the track would put the curve off your 3’ board.)
But you can do it, build it, wire it, scenic it, operate it and enjoy it. When the point in time comes that you have more space and are ready to build something bigger, all the experience that you gained on the small layout is directly applicable to the larger layout.
Regards
Ed
Hogwash, 3’x8’ is perfectly acceptable…
I have the following web link that has plans for 3’x6’ or “doorway layouts” here :
http://www.thortrains.net/marx/drlaydex.html
Also, this is a pic of my new adventure, a 2’x4’ layout. (well ok, so its 2’x4.5’) so what
you can use 15" radius curve track if you want, and your “limitation” is not as much as most will lead you to think. I know for a fact that the bachmann 4-6-2 K4 penski will navigate that track just fine. I have two of them and have done it. I can not say that a 2-8-2 would make it, as i dont have any engines that have that lenght of a wheelbase, the 4-6-2 is my longest. You are limited in passenger car lenghts though, as the newer long streamline ones are just way too long, they will navigate the curve, but look horrible doing it.
now as far as how tight? I am using a rivarossi 0-6-0 as my largest engine on my 2’x4’ layout and it does as you saw have a continous loop in it. and before anyone starts telling me that it wont work, I am far enough along that i have tested it out and it works just fine, all i need to do is make a slightly longer drawbar, say 1 or 2mm longer than whats there.
so dont let anyone hold you back, if what you want to do is a 3’x8’, then do it, just do some testing and playing around before you commit fully, you may find you dont care for it or you may find that its just right.
Thank you all for your valuable advice. I suspected that I would find help here, but the level of help is really unexpected. I am so very encouraged to move forward with my plans to get into moder railroading. I put the standard Lionel under the tree for the 4th year now, and have been bitten by the bug, so I am off to see what I can accomplish, so again, thanks to all, and I am sure I will be looking for more guidance as I progress, and hopefully someday to pass the favor on to someone else.
That’s a real nice size for N, you can use larger than 11 inch curves, Kato has curves the next size larger. You can get nearly 1/4 mile of N scale track in that end to end, and put it against a wall. You don’t want to go much less deep, unless you want to knotch in a bit for a couple of feet in the middle. There is some pretty nice Kato and Atlas and MT cars, and you could even have passenger trains.