I am currently in the planning stages of rebuilding a DC HO layout I had as a kid. This layout will be the typical DC on a 4’x6’ which it was originally on, or since I have the room I thought about stretching it to 4’x8’. The reason for this size is it will be for under the Christmas tree in my first home when I move in later this year. I attached a link to this post a hand drawn sketch of the layout I used to have; only I extended the straight a-ways to a 4’x8’ shape. Sorry I do not have any cad software for a real drawing.
The layout consists of a twice around loop (over & under) I want to keep that over and under route of the twice around with a siding for an extra train. I like the twice around because it’s for under the tree and it is different. I am not so much worried about prototypical operation.
Measuring the tallest rolling stock car I have, I will need 2 ¾" total for the grade up at the highest point where it will cross over the bottom track I believe that works out to be about a 2.5% grade? The only other issue is the placement of the Christmas tree with the 41" wide tree skirt. I can shorten the tree skirt a bit but not much more, I had another idea to hide the tree stand but my Fiancé wants to have the tree skirt she picked out and I get my trains so I am not going to push my luck on the skirt [:)]
I am looking for ideas and comments to make this platform a little more interesting, such as adding water, roads, a town, maybe a little switching at an industry, a little round house for my engines, changing around the track plan a little, etc… I have also thought about adding a loop around it for a 2nd train but I believe to fit that I would have to go to 5’ wide instead of 4’ but I am not sure yet if I will have the room to tackle that size.
If anyone has any ideas please let me know, since everyone has different ideas I am open to all suggestions. I wish I had a cad pro
My experience with Christmas tree layouts is that larger trees are a problem for platform layouts. I would suggest you go with a 6x6 layout or a smaller tree. Alternatively, you could build a platform on one corner of the 4x8 and run trains underneath it.
Personally, I would go with a Lionel train with smoke, bell, whistle, etc. around the tree on the floor. You could then set up a 4x8 HO layout somewhere where it could be a year round hobby.
I have stuff for the year round hobby, mostly in n-scale. I run the Ho under the tree around the hoildays and have had it under the tree since I was one year old my grandpop bought me my first set (Tyco) on my 1st birthday on Oct 1980 and that is the layout my dad put together. The only reason I still do not have it is he stipped it to put his O27 on. I like the O27 but the HO Scale is definatly my favorite.
I know it all fits on the 4’x6’ because it’s all been done before & I have operated it, somewhere i have pictures of it. I am just looking for a few ways to improve upon it. Its just something to tinker with for a few month’s around the hoildays & I like the tree on the platform, it lights everything up nicely.
I would remove the siding that starts at the top and comes around and down to the right. Move the entire track (and hence the tree) over to the right by that much space. Move the controls over to the lower left side (where all the switching is). Make a passing siding from the top over and around to the left. Add whatevever industries you desire on that side (left) of the layout.
Add a second passing siding to the inside loop and run two trains, single track style. Sort of an up-and-over version of Atlas’s HO-10015, HO-10004, or HO-10005 plan. http://www.atlasrr.com/Code100web/pages/10015.htm
Here’s an idea for you. You already have N scale equipment. Put them IN THE TREE!
(IN the tree? Did he say IN the tree?)
Yup. Take a look at this:
The tree is artificial. The “layout” was cut from blue foam, painted, track glued down and ballasted. It mounts in the tree where two sections of the tree join together. The picture should have enough detail to show the basic construction. Something similar could be done with a real tree.
I have a G scale train under my Christmas tree. It’s made by New Bright, and was found at a garage sale last year. For its age, it runs pretty good, but I don’t turn it on very much. It’s a bit noisy which tends to upset the kitty cat. I was hoping to score a Bachmann Irish RR set (green HO/OO scale steam engine and cars), but someone beat me to it. Maybe next year. Anyway, that layout was simple–just a circle of track.
