Looking for good layout plan.

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I need a HO scale layout that can fit in a 2X6 foot space. I would prefer an industrial layout with lots of switching. Thanks!

2

I suggest you to look at the book “48 Top Notch Track Plans”.

I just bought it to get ideas for a new layout.

It gives many examples of small layouts for switching operations.

Regards,

Francois.

3

You might want to look at some variation of the old classic “Timesaver” by John Allen. Try this website:
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-timesaver.html

There’s also a slightly altered version in the July Model Railroader, on page 72. A bit narrower than your space and just a bit longer, but certainly worth a look.

I suppose you don’t want to consider looking at N scale with that small a space?

Best regards

Ed

4

For 2 x 6 in HO, you are going to need a switching layout. I would imagine you can lay it out with track and turnouts easier than copying something out of a magazine.

That is about the size of a layout I once designed representing the MGM Studio backlot ca. 1940.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/abs.jpg

5

As others have noted, 2’X6’ is pretty small for HO. My design for an N scale layout to fit 1’X6’ is in the 2005 Model Railroad Planning and offers a good amount of switching. That design is meant to fold, so the actual storage space is only 1’X3’. Is the 2’X6’ space a limitation for both storage and operating?

A large number of designs for amazingly small spaces is found on Carl Arendt’s excellent micro designs site:
http://carendt.us/

I’d strongly recommend against the classic Timesaver. It’s really just a railroad-themed puzzle. In my opinion, a more interesting and engaging “old-school” classic design is Linn Westcott’s “Switchman’s Nightmare”, plan #6 from 101 Track Plans (Kalmbach). Here’s a sketch:

You might also be interested in a couple of things from my website:

  • A short article on Ops Fun for One that talks about designs for small layouts intended to operate
  • A handout from my Small Layouts clinic at the recent NMRA convention.

Good luck and have fun.

Regards,

Byron
Custom Layout Design and Operations Planning

6

Thanks a whole lot. And to answera question, yes, I must put every thing in 2>6 except I might be able to put the storage somewhere else.

7

See if this link helps with some ideas;

http://carendt.com/microplans/index.html

I thought this site was just amazing! [:0]

Obviously very European, but look at the amount of action in such small spaces! Change the scenery to an American city and you’ve got a very small, action packed layout! [8D]