This idea may seem extreme to some, but to me this is my ultimate dream plan layout. I am thinking on taking on a 1/2 acre of land, building a large train house to house the largest layout. Always been one of my big dreams.
Being single has big advantages, so I am free to plan ahead without anything like life slowing the thought process down. One of my questions would be, what would a 1/2 acre of land equal to in feet? Say like length and width?
I know it will take alot of time and dedication to plan such a feat, but I know anything is possible. You only live once, right? [:)]
A half acre is 21,780 square feet, so roughly 150 ft by 150 ft.
That sounds about right…been out of school for so long I almost forgot how to calculate square feet…either way you look at it that would be room for pretty much any type of layout one would want with the widest curves. At least I know if I was to calculate length times the width that will give me the square footage. I just wasnt sure how that would translate to acreage. I wonder if the RR-Track software can handle that type of design space?
It almost seems like that kind of space would be great to utilize as a local operating club/society kind of thing. That way you could have the entire club there to help lay track, wire, and build scenery (which you could have unlimited access to because you’d own the building too!). That way you could share the space as well as the work while still having it be your ownership (even if it isn’t all your work). Membership fees could also help lighten the expenses that such an enormous layout would rack up.
Heck, you could even make it a hobby shop as well, open a viewing area as a visitor center for kids and families, get their interests up in the hobby, and sell some starter sets to them on the way out. Keep them involved enough, and they’re your future members, as well as customers in the hobby shop…
Hey, that could be a possible idea there Demon09…i’ve read past issues where an layout owner had help from many others to assist build his layout, while still retaining ownership. Because its likely that one may not have the skills to do everything in layout building, especially one of a massive size. If you involve alot of others along with the dream with you, you can just imagine the amount of wealth of knowledge (and friendships) that can be forged for such an adventure.
I believe one railroad already uses the seperate building concept to house the railroad.
http://magnoliaroute.com/magnolia%20route.htm
That is one of those I found that has used this concept.
I might use that concept in our home because we do have some acreage instead of adding a dedicated train room onto our place.
Big is nice but be careful that you can maintain it all.