Interested in who has a very small HO layout but happy with it.
Space or living area would be the reason.
Having any operation features would be a challenge in order to get beyond just a diorama scenario.
Also engineering construction features that would make the small layout suitable to fit in a larger layout in the future when a more spacious building would be possible.
Hi Big Boy Forever
I wish I knew where to find it.
But there is a small 4’6 square layout on the forum somwhere
for such a small layout it has quite a wow factor.
For joining future areas to the layout you need to design that into the track plan
a suitable siding or two will take care of the track side of things and solid joining plates that the extention can be bolted to need to be part of the benchwork construction.
A small point no matter what you plan to do.
Do not go down to first radius curves that will really throw the preverbial spaner in the works for future expantion.
the big question is what size layout can you build in the space you have.
My own layout is also 4’6" square I have a staging yard at the back a passanger station on a curve with crossing loop and bay line for iether train termination or coach storage. two sidings for freight traffic and a two siding very small loco depot.
Train length is restricted to a two coach passanger train perhaps an RDC car
and freight trains to 3 or 4 cars in other words nothing bigger than comes in a train set.
If you can live with those kind of train lenght restrictions you can build a very compact layout but still just operationaly intresting enough to be worth building
regards John
Thanks John
Do you have any photos of your layout?
Not sure what you mean by, “Do not go down to first radius curves”.
BBF
I’d guess that John’s referring to using really tight curves in order to have continuous running. I have to agree: if you have only a small area in which to work, forget the roundy-round layout and instead make something more prototypical.
Many modellers with limited space opt for ISLs (industrial switching layouts) which feature lots of prototypical operation in a limited space. Most of these, I think, are better suited to a shelf-style layout - still a small space, just a different shape.
Wayne
My favorite small operating layout may or may be too big for you: it’s 4x8 with a flip up end. It’s a switching layout with docks, industries and a dual-use yard. It’s dual use because when you pull a transfer cut out, it arrives back in. There is no continuous running.
It is “Waterfront Railroads” on page 28 of September 1960 Model Railroader.
It could certainly be inserted in a larger layout later.
Curve radius is either 18" or 22"–I’m not sure.
Ed
This is how small I managed to build my layout and keep it interesting to use.
At 120" x 17", it isn’t the smallest layout, but rather space efficient.
If you want to see the story behind it, see my blog at:
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/blog/638-the-m-k-eastern-rr´s-blog/?st=40
This is how it is incorporated into a larger layout:
Graffen,
Realy nice design. I am always looking at small layouts because I know that the time will come when I will have to contend myself with a much smaller place than what I have now. Your design is one of the best I saw that can fill my need.
Thanks.
Planning, Designing and Making Railway Layouts in a Small Space describes model railroad layouts in Britain where space is very limited. The book describes layouts that are easily stored and protected, such as in a bookcase in a living room, that can be opened up and operated.
Another idea it discusses is a layout the fits into a chest of draws when not in use. The draws are pulled out and assembled modular style during operation. One draw sits on top of the chest, the other draws attach to one another and have fold-down legs. The 2nd and 3rd draw attach to the end of the draw on top, but additional draws can form L-shaped layouts.
John might be talking about mine?
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/188631.aspx
It could be incorporated into a bigger one but I dont have plans for that.
Here is a picture of my little 55" by 33" layout as it was a few years ago when I lived where there was no club, so I went on a Marklin kick for a few years, even put up live catenary.
It was satisfying for many years, then we moved back to Indiana were I grew up and I rejoined the local HO club and got back into USA prototype trains, so off to ebay went almost all my Marklin stuff. Since then the layout has had a few different track plans, a stint with HOn3 on it. I am now rebuilding as a fictional ATSF branch line right after the second world war when steam was still king. The curves are 15" radius and the old PFM/United 2-8-0 has no issues with it, turnouts are Atlas #4’s. I think it will be very satisfying now that I have an excellent running engine and can concentrate on the scenery as I like to light everything up so it looks great running in the night or daytime. Mike
My Southside Industrial District was built to fit into my closet. It is 28"x88", which actually has a smaller footprint than 4.5’ square.
I eventually moved the layout out and put it on a frame of 1x4’s so it could be transported. I also added a backdrop including photos and shallow building fronts.
The layout affords a lot opportunities for detailed modeling and operation - lots of possibilities for switching. An session of 5 drop off and 5 pulls can easily take an hour.
The track plan provides possibilies for expansion in the form of a staging yard on either side or as part of a continuous run oval.
My layout blog has more - https://smallurbanrails.wordpress.com/
MR is just now finishing the Olympia Logging Layout on MRVP which is unique and has well thought out ops.
MR is also coming out with the special edition “How to Build Small Model Railroads”
You can also get lots of great ideas from the Small Layout Scrapbook website. It has some really ingenious and tiny layouts, not short on operation. http://www.carendt.com/
Last of all, just go for it! Get in there, use your imagination and run some trains. You can do it!
The former layout(lasted 17 years) occupied an L Shaped 25’ by 20’ area. Lots of room to get some nice staging, a small yard, branch line and 2 additional towns on the main line.
When I retired 3 years ago, the plan was to trash the present layout and rebuild in the same place after some ‘room improvements’ The new layout just has never happened(retirement is so busy). Now that I am 65, I am thinking about selling my home or at least putting two bedrooms in that area(re-sale value). I do have another 16’ by 16’ area that I could build a new layout in, but it will need to drop from 30" radius to about 22" radius curves. No large engine terminal, but would still have a 5 track through staging, a 5 track yard, and a branch line. Most of my 50’s era freight cars can handle the curves(as well as my GP9 fleet). At least there is a club with 33/36" radius curves to run my ‘big’ stuff. My model building ‘man cave’ has moved upstairs to one of the other 3 bedrooms, and has about 20’ of Bachmann EZ-Track for testing(This is how I found that my GP’s and freight cars run fine on 22" radius).
I guess I have gotten the ‘big dream layout’ out of my system(another one off the ‘bucket’ list).
Jim - Still pondering a new layout.
Well, I’m currently building the retirement monster layout. But if I were to build a small one, the 4’x5’ Turtle Creek Southern would be my choice. See the June 1998 MR.
Enjoy
Paul
Unfortunatly no pictures as the forum they are on require you to be a member to see the pictures, and this site does not appear to allow you to upload pictures from your own computor
Do not go to first radius curves refers to set track
I believe you in the US call it snap track first radius being 15" curves.
On a compact layout there is the temptation to use snap track as you don’t need a lot and the tight curves are not so much of an issuie on small compact layouts.
It has nothing to do with just roundy roundy layouts but the coment lis meant for layouts in general
The exeption being tight industreal areas where speed is very low and you have to dodge buildings and some times follow streets.
regards John
Correct I think it fit’s right into this topic
Any further progress to add to your own layout thread?
A direct link that should work.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/188631.aspx?page=1
Regards John
Hello All,
I don’t know if you consider a 4x8 pike small.
Of course I would like a larger layout, but so far I’m happy with what I’ve managed to squeeze into the space provided.
The layout is a freelance coal branch-loop oriented north to south lengthwise.
The mainline or central oval uses asymmetrical curves; three 18-inch radius snap track a 2-inch straight section to three 15-inch radius. The oval is placed 2-inches, actual, from the south edge of the layout and about 6-inches from the west edge off center.
Along the west edge of the layout, between the maineline and the edge, is a straight section running the length north to south. This siding is connected to the mainline by two crossovers made from #4 turnouts. On the south end of this siding is a #4 turnout that adds another spur that curves parallel to the mainline. Currently this is the staging yard. If incorporated into a larger layout this would be the tie-in to this loop.
Between the turnouts on the mainline there is another crossover made from two #4 turnouts toward the center of the layout. This spur leads to a parallel siding; one 9-inch section to the south and two 9-inch sections to the north. Between these sections is a 90-degree crossing. The north end serves the power plant and the south end can stage one car or loco.
North of the crossover on the mainline is a single turnout that diverges to the west; between the mainline and the siding on the west edge. This divergence begins a 3% climb up of another asymmetrical curve consisting of four 22-inch radius curves to a 4-inch straight section to three 18-inch curves to the east edge of the layout to an elevation of 3-inches actual (22-1/2-feet scale). At the summit there is a #2 turnout diverging to the west to an elevated hopper unloading siding.
At the south end of this siding; at an elevation of 3-inches actual (22-1/2-feet scale), there is a 2/3-length, custom cut, 15-inch section that leads to a 14-1/2-inch
I couldnt get it to jump either! Somethings up with the linker.
Nothing significant to post since the last. Just working on scenery. Thanks.
As far as being happy with my little layout: Its got most of the modelling features I like, mountains, cliffs, a cut, a fill, retaining walls, dramatic bridge, mine, mill, factories, and a main street. All while being (theoretically) portable. Operations however are limited of course.
Its ok for now. I’m honing my skills. Building models. But I want a bigger layout with a yard, and staging. Eventually, it will be dismantled and an 11x17 around the walls layout will be built.
I wonder, are we ever satisfied?
I operate a version of the classic “Inglenook” layout. It has a twist in that it includes another “turnout” leading to a runaround/interchange track. This turnout is cut into the 3rd leg of the Inglenook in such a manner that setting it in “normal” position runs you into the runaround, setting it “reverse” runs into the regular ladder track of the Inglenook. I use Random.org to generate my switchlist from 9 cars. I pick one of them at random to set on the interchange track and use the generated list to make up a train of 8 cars. If I’m doing my math right, I have 362,880 possible combinations to make up a train. I use it as a sort of railroad solitaire game. When I have the chance to expand my railroading, it will be incorporated into the rest of the layout as a terminal switching yard with an interchange to an interurban electric railroad.
I don’t consider 4X8 small, as mine is only 2 feet longer, at 4X10, but the 15" radius, and the #2 turnouts together, Holy tight curve there Batman!
My 4X10 is 18" minimum radius oval, a passing siding along one short edge, yard lead comes off of other, via a curved turnout, and a 4 track staging yard/rail yard sits in front of the main line on one long side, spurs for industries along the inside of the loop. All turnouts minimum #4, and no radius larger than 22", no turnouts larger than #7.5. Main power is 4 axle road switchers, however I can and do run a couple of 6 axle diesels, and two steamers occasionally for “fan specials” as I like to call them. No full-length passenger cars or 89’ freights here though. They just do not fit Below 24" minimum radius. So, for someone modeling late 90’s to about 2002 that rules out main lines of all class 1 RR’s, but a short line/regiona carrier or branches of class 1’s work For this size, at least in HO scale. And, the big guys restrict where certain power and cars can travel, so it’s even prototypical of me to ban said large equipment! [:D]
So, what I am saying is, small-ish layouts will work, even for modern era, with a few considerations taken.
