new to MR and looking for assistance?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I want to do a 4X8 layout, It will be my first I do want to have a mountain and tunnel section. I am looking for some nice complicated layouts some switching, staging, and so forth. Any photos would help along with some websites to research.

Thanks, Eric

2

The two big questions that must be answered first:

What gauge?

What era?

Each of these has a profound effect on what can be done. Earlier eras and smaller gauges both allow for tighter curves without getting too unrealistic. For a 4x8, you can do almost anything in N-gauge, but you’re kind of constrained to the first 2/3 of the 20th century in HO. If you don’t need a continuous-running loop, though, then you’re much more free because the curve radius restriction isn’t as important.

A 4x8 is large for either a switching layout or anything in N, by the way. Still, a lot of HO and even O-gauge enthusiasts have great 4x8 layouts.

3

HO

era is build as I go I want a freelance layout.

4

The January 2007 MR had a 4x8 that they built in five days. However, I would STRONGLY consider N scale, because you can fit so much more into the same space.

However, if you already have some HO equipment then I would go that way just to save money.

Good Luck!

5

Welcome Eric,

You’ve indicated freelance and that is fine but it will benefit you greatly if you make a list in two parts. Part 1: list out your givens, such as “I only have 10 x 20 ft of space to work in” or “I only have X dollars to put into this” or “I can only spend 1 hr per week because I travel” etc. Part 2 is your druthers such as, “I want to run steam or diesel or both”, I want to run long trains", “I love mountains, logging, yards, passenger trains” etc. etc. You get the idea. This will help you when it comes to compromising between what you want and what you can really accomplish. We all here want more space, more time, more money for RR [;)]

Try these resources to get started with a 4 x 8 design.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/index.html - Byron has some excellent points/tips on 4 x 8. Half way down page on right hand side. It’s titled “Why waste space …” but it is a good read.

and

http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id39.html - Byron also has some pointers on operations possibilities in the 4 x 8 layout.

and

http://www.nmra.org/beginner/ - excellent primer for getting started.

Regards,

6

In HO scale it is going to be difficult to fit all of that into a 4x8 area. The mountain itself could consume the entire area.

Is the main line just to be a simple loop? Is the track all going to be on the same level? What is meant by switching - industries, yard (very hard on a 4x8), puzzel type?

If this is a first layout it might be better to start with something simple rather than complicated.

7

I don’t know if this is my place, but did you ever consider going a little larger? Perhaps an around the walls type, 6’x8’ perhaps (works with 2’ aisle). This would give you a 2’ wide area to work with for 20’ long, and it only takes up 2’ more than the original layout! Once again, I started out with a 4x8 and now I’m up to a 14x9! Trust me, you’ll get hooked, so plan for it now! [#welcome]

8

You might want to check out A Realistic HO Model Railroad for Beginners, by Lou Sassi. It covers the construction of a 4x8 HO layout from beginning to end, and encompasses many of the elements you are looking for.

Nick

9

let me add to this question, What would you think of if I added this layout to the back of my home theater? 1. I would have enough room to have a layout of 4x10. 2. Do you think the bass from the theater would rattel any of the structures of the layout even if they are glued down?

10

I don’t know, that’s a trickey one. It’s up to you. It depends how detailed your layout is going to be.

Also, build sturdy benchwork or you’ll be sorry.

unionpacific4

11

4x8 is a small layout for HO and you want to fit a lot in. I would suggest a table top layout with Atlas sectional track. This will allow you to try several combinations before doing anything permanent and give you a good idea of what will actually fit in 4x8.

Enjoy

Paul

12

For what is about the most that is reasonably possible in a “buildable” (with readily available commercial track) 4x8, the Plywood Summit Lines (Atlas HO-33) has my vote - see (http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/pages/10033.htm). Note that train length and rolling stock length has to be very limited and carefully chosen to fit the passing tracks, the turntable, and the 15" radius on the branch wye.

Almost any HO 4x8 is made much better (operating and scenic potential increased) by adding 1 or 2 rectangular extensions. Extensions can be anywhere from 12" x 48" to 2ft x 8ft, and are usually used to set up a terminal or industrial area of some type. The current MR project layout uses the extension for staging.

Many of the more complex published HO 4x8 plans “cheat” by including some of the following “features”:

  • custom, handlaid turnouts and/or crossings are needed to make track fit in critical areas
  • put the track 1" or less from the table edge
  • insufficient spacing between parallel tracks on curves. If using smaller rolling stock, 2.5" is a good minimum. If you have a Big Boy on 18" radius curves, you will need more than 2.5" between parallel curves.
  • having less than 3.5" rail-to-rail clearance between tracks passing over one another
  • having turnouts serving industrial spurs on a grade. There is nowhere to leave the rest of the train while switching the spur.
  • industrial spurs on a grade. This can be fixed by using hair brush bristles or similar to hold rolling stock in place at the spur.
  • parallel tracks at different elevations are so close that the only possible scenic treatment is a retaining wall or stone cliff.

These are things to think about when looking at a 4x8 design. A 4x8 can be a good starting point if you keep its limitations in mind.