I purchased boxes of HO scale trains, track, building etc. from a friend, that I planned to build a layout in my spare bedroom. I just recently had another baby, and lost my spare bedroom, any ideas people might have for a space saver layout would really help me out. I really need to be creative to have at least a 4X8 layout.
Dan
Check out Small Smart & Practical Track Plans by Iain Rice its published by Kalmbach. Its gots some really great ideas in it.
If your really strapped for space some kind of round the walls shelf or a small switching layout sounds like it might be right for you. Or get out of the house altogether (particularly if the domestic management isn’t keen on you “wasting your time playing trains”) - my railroads moved out of the house into a backyard shed, gets me right out of the way[:D]
Us Brits have been used to shoe-horning layouts into the smallest of spaces for years. Above all where theres a will to railroad - theres always a way[;)]
Switch to N scale. You can have a great little railroad in a 2 foot by 4 foot space. I’ve got one that is in a bookcase that presently resides in our 3rd bedroom, but has been in our living room and even the master bedroom over the years as we moved around.
Terrain for Trains sells a 30 inch by 48 inch N scale railroad prebuilt form that is a copy of John Allen’s original Gorre & Daphetid and Atlas sells the track for it, as well.
I saw a great space saving way to rail. It was a wood cabinet like an armour (my spelling) when the doors opened a 4’x6’ ho layout folded down. I dont remember the company name but if you can look on some RR modeling pages or maybe someone else out there has seen this, also check out Micro Layouts.com for some really small but interesting layout ideas.
oops, my mistake. thats micro layouts at www.layoutdesings.com check it out.
oops, my mistake part 2. www.layoutdesigns.com
Well, you could always build a switching Layout. Check out Model Railroad Planning 2003 and Model Railroading in Small Space by Matt Chibbaro. Both have a number of solutions for you, including the classic ‘Timesaver’ layout designed by John Allen.
HO is definitely doable in small spaces, but if you want a large-feeling pike, N is the way to go.
You might also check out http://carendt.com/index.html for some small layouts, as well as joining http://groups.yahoo.com/group/small-layout-design/ . There’s always space for a layout.
Gary
I built an 8 1/2 in. wide by 4 foot diarama of my favorate depot to sit above my computer. Has several tracks to sit passenger cars on and can be added on to. Something was better than nothing.
I second the yahoo groups for small layouts. Everyone can have a layout. Well it be the large dream layout you were hoping for? No! But you can still have fun with it, super detail it and learn all the skills you need for a larger layout. Ben King the famous model RR photographer never had a large layout, but is smaller layout became his passion for modelling and photography.
First,a small layout takes some well thought out planing…Now,I will boldly state most shelf type layouts I have seen so far has been wasted space or a fancy switching puzzle or has a highly unneeded turntable that takes up precious space…
One can design a shelf layout that will be fun to operate and learn on…Who can forget Ben Kings excellant layout that was mention?
Here is what I recommand…Take the space you have for a small layout,build the benchwork and work your track around till you like what you see and go from there…Remember you can use a 1/2 of a building or a building flat along the back drop to give you industries to switch…I also recomand looking at Great Layout Planing 2003 magazine by Model Roader…It has several small shelf type layouts in it.
run the track on the walls from the yard layout !!! may work out for you space wise …
I have a small switching layout that runs around 2 walls in my workshop. The layout itself is 2’ wide, with one leg 12’ long and the other leg is 10’. Eventually, I hope to expand to the other 2 walls in the shop! I took a plan from MR, and tweaked it to fit my space. In case you’re wondering, the layout comes apart should I ever move.
I second that. You could also slide it under a bed, or even fold it in half for storage. It will take some thought to make the hinge look good when set up and you would need to build it in a large room still.
As a kid, my father rigged up a pulley system to lift my 4x8 layout up to the ceiling of the garage, and of course at the time I was too young to recognize what a novel approach this was. The drawback, of course, is the need for eyebolts to hook up to the ropes, but you could be clever and place these inside of buildings that have removable roofs, or in the midst of a forest painted green. I don’t have any idea which direction to point you in terms of locating the pulleys and other apparatus that would be required, though I suspect a marine equipment store would be the starting place.
When this happened to me, I relocated to the master bedroom. Fortunately it was big enough for a 6’ x 6’ layout in the corner. My wife was also very understanding.
When I was in my teens, I had a 4 X 8 rigged in two different ways in the garage. First it was hinged to the wall and folded down. I got tired of removing all rolling stock and constantly re-glueing scenery , so I had it suspended from the ceiling with pullies for a little while. It sounds like you’ve got the will, I’m sure you’ll find a way.
You could also look for a modular club in your area. Build a small segment (usually 2x4 foot) that matches the standards of the group and is also suitable as a switching layout at home. This is what I am doing.
Doug
Follow up to the train cabinet idea. Its called Tuck-Away Trains, made by Mesa Verde railraod company 1-718-945-1111. It opens and a 4x8 layout fold down. i wish I could send you the photo I found. Its a interesting idea.
The shelf, wall, garage ceiling and module ideas are all great options. I went for the garage ceiling. The pulleys and hardware all came from the higher dollar selection at a ‘better’ hardware store or commercial grade hardware supply house. Be sure to get hardware with a weight rating of at least double the expected weight of the layout and use any light weight scenery materials possible, you don’t want to drop it on your car. I fit a 13 x 8 layout in a 2 car garage, with the cars. You can use a hand crank or electric winch for raising and lowering.
Dennis