Heres the problem, I have an area in my room already picked out in the corner it is like 5’ by 3’ and I was wondering , is this enough space to build a functional layout? I don’t want trains just to run around in circles I want a small/medium functional layout with operations. Now I have seen some track layouts all ready in magazines and most of the track configurations… are… less than worthy. So I was wondering if anyone can provide insight on how I should go about this.
Another small problem (litteraly) is that I am not sure if I should stick with N scale because of my small space or go to HO scale because I can work with the locomotives and materials better. Like I said any insight would be greatly appreciated.[:D]
About the only thing you can do in that small an area with HO scale is a point-to-point switching layout. There have been a couple of articles over the past year or so in Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman magazines showing small switching layouts that would fit in an area that small and still provide a lot of interesting operational possibilities. There was a post on this forum a week or so ago about a movie studio back lot railroad that would make a good layout in the space you have. Look in the Layouts and Layout Building area for the MGM Studio Backlot Railroad post, which includes a diagram of the trackage. At the top of the screen, type “MGM” (without the quotes) into the “Search the forums” block and click on Go! to jump to it.
Well N might give you more options if your space is that small. I’m in N and building on a 3’ x 6’-8" hollow core wood door (which will need to be stored vertically against the wall when not in active use). You might try looking at “Mike’s Small Trackplans Page”, the link is http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm , he has a lot of layouts for small N scale layouts down to 2’x4’ in size. It will give you some ideas anyway.
5x3 is a good size for an N scale industrial switching district - you can make a loop around the outside and have tall buildings in the middle act as your view block (assuming that you can get to both sides). Art Curren did some really great articles in MR on city scenery and kit-bashing buildings into “double-sided” industries.
Uh, model in "O"scale and only have an approx. 12’ X 14’ room
available? Yes the switching district,etc. Would be nice,but any other ideas?
I’m already building layout,but suggestions would be appricated!
Well, maybe you’ll get some ideas from what I’ve done with my 2 1/2’ x 5’ N-scale layout, which can be seen here. I go over my choices of track plan, different operating schemes, and some of the compromises I made on that website.
One of those compromises is that instead of a more realistic “once-through” type of track plan (where track goes through a scene only once), I squeezed three loops into that space, and added as many spurs as I thought practical to facilitate a broader operating scheme. 3’ x 5’ is kind of tight for a model RR (I would not put an HO layout in that small of an area, short of a module or large diorama, which does nothing for operation), but you can do some nice things in a layout that small.
One possibility is to model narow gauge:
HOn3 - there is quite a bit available from Roundhouse and others
HOn30 - using N scale track, mechanisms, and trucks. There’s also some HOn30 models avaialble and HOn30 track.
Sn2 - using HOn3 mechanisms, tracks, and trucks. There’s also some Sn2 models availble through Train and Trooper Hobby Shop in Maine.
Another possibility is Traction modeling. Short trains - one car. Also can have some freight operations as well. This could be done in any scale up through O.
Enjoy
Paul
5 x 3 can make you a pretty fair RR in N, if you stick to 6 or 7 car trains. A round and round mainline with a train that shows up from time to time out of staging. A mainline train that drops off cars for town and/or branch switcher.
Thanks for all the comments guys keep them coming , I am now looking over some HO and N scale equipment to see prices and such , anyway if u have anymore ideas please post in here!!!
You can build a operating switching layout in HO in that amout of space. I once built a HO switching layout that was only 72" x15" with a 30" x 3" addition behind a door. By using the addition as an interchange and switching lead I was able to operate the layout with a card forwarding system. Most of my industries where just flats or off the edge of the layout. I operated this layout for about 18 months intill more space was available.
After checking over a few N scale and HO scale websites and listening to everyones comments I think I will have to go with N because of my limited space and slim wallet.
Thanks for the help guys if U still have any comments feel free to post as always
hello, ive managed to have two main lines running on my 2x4 only problem is i cant run any big deisels or loco’s , my suggestion would be to give yourself about 1/2 a foot or so probably by going 3x4 so you can get to everything, but hey, N scale may be small but your layout will look decent instead or running one line with ho.[;)]
