Hi, Im new to model railroading, and want a 4x8 N or HO scale layout, and need it fast!! I have looked, but cant find one… I would prefer to have an N scale one. Me and my dad are going to build it, and we have both agreed that we want a bridge, turntable, and a tunnel in the layout. Any help is appreciated!!!
Have you tried looking at the directory of plans on the MR section of this website?
Dave H.
Where is that? (Im new to the site too [:D] )
There are hundreds of layouts available for review in numerous books found at your local hobby shop and also online via Google.
Why the hurry?
This fast enough?
Seriously, you can find lots of plans for N scale in that size that will work. HO scale is going to be more trouble because of the things you’ve said you want included. They take up space, and space is at a premium on a 4x8, especially in larger scales.
Honestly, a 4x8 is not the best use of space. Check this out: http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id28.html
My advice? Study a little bit first. Read a few things, like Spacemouse’s beginners guide (http://www.chipengelmann.com/trains/Beginner/BeginnersGuide01.html). Get some more solid ideas. Your chances of creating a fulfilling and successful layout will improve dramatically.
I have been studying alot of things! My local train store, Trains By Johnson, has taught me and my dad all the basics. Pcarrel, I was looking at that design on another forum, and thats the design I was going to build, but I didn’t know the demintions. I’ll print it out and go to Trains by Johnson to see if Mr. Johnson recomends it. Thanks!!
I just made this one about 10 minutes ago.
hope it helps (HO Scale)
That’s my own design. I did it a few years ago as a test track, but I never ended up building it. Then a little while back Chip (Spacemouse here on the forum) had a 4x8 contest and so I entered it and did pretty well. It’s a 4x8 N scale layout that uses 15"r curves as a minimum with #5 turnouts mostly (especially the yard and such) and a few #7’s where they’ll fit. It’s done with Atlas code 55 track. Personally, I’d build it using flex track to the same dimentions for smoothness and economy. If you’d like to build it then go ahead. I’d like to see how it comes out. You could change the scenery to make it just about anywhere if you wanted. Here it is before scenery: http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/4X8NSCALEOLDWEST-1.jpg
I have a few other 4x8’s I’ve desighned if you’re really set on that size.
N scale 
N scale 
N scale 
Variations on the above plan (with hidden staging added!): http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/4x8Nscale-3_edited.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/4x8Nscale-4.jpg<
Thanks everyone!! We are going with the Old West layout. When we are done I’ll post some pics…(It will be a loooooong time from now…) We will probly change the scenery quite a bit, so when its done it probly wont be “Old Western.”
Also, I went to Trains by Johnson, and Mr. Johnson said it was a do-able plan, and said that it was a very creative layout. Thanks again!!
No problem!
Fast? You and your dad have to spend that government stimulus check before mom finds out it has arrived, eh? [:-^]
Actually, I would recommend that you look at the entries in the aforementioned 4 X 8 layout contest.
http://www.chipengelmann.com/Trains/Layouts.html
That way you get the distilled genius of just about everyone who regularly posts on this forum.[swg]
I was looking for that and I couldn’t seem to find it…THANKS!
I’ve drawn a few. They’re not the best, but they’re okay. Since this computer I’m using won’t copy and paste, for some reason, just go to www.packers1.tk, go to the sEC album, go to optional plans, and they might be in final plans. Those are the albulm names.
c44x:
This is my HO 4x8. It has essentially none of the three things you mention, although a tunnel is on the short list, but it’s a lot of fun to run.
In my case, the 4x8 is a very efficient use of space, as all my access aisles are also accessing other equipment. 
PC
That’s a nice layout, I’ve saved it for future reference.
Wayne
In HO you might look at the “World’s Greatest Hobby” layout packs offered by Atlas, Bachmann and Kato. All come with the track and plans to build a 4x8 beginner’s layout, including a DVD hosted by TV’s Michael Gross. I’d go with the Kato one since I like their track, but any of them will work.
Thank You!
The current issue of MR has three track plans, 2 HO and 1 N, made from a 4x8, but not the traditional rectangle.
majortom