I need some ideas for a HO scale layout. I have 12ft by 8ft-10ft to work with. I need to have radius that are big enought to run big boys and challengers on. I am looking for some pic’s of layout so I can get some ideas off of them on how to set up the track plan.
If you dont have pictures could you draw up a plan of your layout.
If you want to know my hole plan on what to run and what the era and things like that just send me a PM and ill fill you in on that.
Thanks in advance.
There are several on my website–look for the 10 x 12 Contest–but unfortunately, the site is down while I change registrars.
With huge locos like those, and roughly twice the length and width of a 4x6 layout…I’d be looking at a smaller pike, double the radius of the curves, double track the mainline and adjust the sidings and turnouts to accomodate the behemouths and extra space. Then there’s the question of, can you go around the walls? Huge locos cry out for long trains. Long trains don’t do small layouts very well. As a certian non-terrestrial rodent we know says, what else are your givens and druthers?
With that size, you’ll probably have to go with a duck under or lift bridge type layout to get large curves. (28",30") My layout is 8x15 and that’s what I had to do to get big curves. Keep in mind your going to have to use large turnouts like #8’s (maybe #6’s) to run locos that size. They take up a lot of room too.
Faced with a somewhat similar problem, running an Allegheny (2-6-6-6), in a modest space (10 x 10), an around the room ‘doughnut’-like design is probably the best approach. As an example this link http://www.bearweb.com/hawksnest/mainonly.jpg is for the 10 x 10 lower level portion of my railroad. The outer radii are a min 24 inches (only one - the others are 26 inches) and turnouts are #6 and this engine is restricted to this portion of the railroad (by design).
With the locos you want to run, I’d really suggest going to 30 in min radius and use at least # 7 turnouts. Watch track spacing too - these brutes will have a big overhang. With the large turnouts that will be needed, double tracking makes a lot of sense.
Charles
This is what I’m working with right now, granted, it’s N scale, but you might be able to use the idea of extending your main line run and opening up your radius by wrapping it around the room on a narrow shelf. The main body of the layout is where all the scenery and ops are, and the shelf provides access from the staging yard around to the visible part of the layout.
Lee
Has anyone seen “Aggrojones” layout? He has a 9ftx11ft Ho scale layout and all he runs is large loco’s like 4-6-6-4, 4-8-8-4, 2-6-6-2, 2-8-8-8, 2-10-2, etc. Here is a link to his layout http://community.webshots.com/user/bullrock2004
This is what I’m trying to accomplish in an 8X16 room. Is there a track plan for his layout anywhere?
It wasn’t posted on his pics/site.
No there is no track plan. That layout is exactly what I want to do also but he wont give me and 360 degree shots of the layout or a layout on paper. I am not trying to say he is stuborn but I just dont think he likes to tell people about his layout. He seems kind of quite about it.
His layout is amazing tho. I dont get how he runs large locos on that layout but they look great doing it.
I don’t know if it’ll help you any, but Linn Westcott’s book “101” track plans for model railroaders has a double tracked oval on Pg. 31 (Plan #56) that has 32" and 30" radii curves with a yard, roundhouse (14", not sure if that’s big enough for challengers, have to get out the calculator) and six sidings.
I’m attracted to this plan as it’s drawn to scale, will fit my 8’X16’ space but the lack of grades bums me out.
I’m considering extending the lower left stub track at “Eaton” so that it can go around one more time at grade or cross over to add visual appeal over a flat oval.
It’s a 6’X12’ plan if that fits your needs.
Another plan from the same book calls for convential curve radii (24" maybe some 22") but I’m wondering
if it can’t be made with 30" to 32" curves. Anyone with this book that can provide insight until I can get my future train room cleared out would be appreciated. It’s Plan # 74 pg. 46 Ouachita and Ozark R.R.
It has grades and quite a bit of operations potential. I’d have to move my yard inside the doughnut though.
4-6-6-4 Challenger, if you don’t have this book I recommend your buying or borrowing it as I think it
might fit your needs.
Capt. G.
Capt. Grimek, Me and you have a lot of things that we both want on are layouts. If I had to do one layout It would have a good solid grade, a steam service area, and have a good size yard.
It seems to me that you want to have a good grade and a good size yard. I dont know what era you are modeling but we seem to want to put the same things into are layout.
Just a thought.
It sounds that way. We’ll have to see. I may have to give up the articulated locomotives idea in the end due to space limitations. Have you seen the May Model Railroader article on the loco servicing layout?
No grades just a straight shot to two turntables but interesting. John Bruno’s goal was to run big locos in a small space. No trains though, just locos.
I’m planning on modeling 1930s to '40s steam era.
