A while ago, one of my daughters gave a copy of MR that contained a supplement titled “5 Basic Track Plans”. This rekindled my love for trains.
Over the following few months, I reviewed the plans in that booklet trying to come up with one that I would like to start and use given the confined of our apartment. My wife, Gloria (the CEO, CFO, XO), mentioned that we could rearrange the computer room to fit something in.
So the research seriously began…
Look out INTERNET, here I come…
Within a few days, you’ve guessed it, INFORMATION OVERLOAD
Then, Gloria saved me again and game me a subscription to MR for Father’s day. From that I discovered the FORUM.
Now I can get info in a somewhat organised method, when I need it and with the ability to save some info for future reference.
The process has begun and GLOETOWN is slowly becoming a reality. I decided on the Atlanta Central design on a 4X8 table 2" blue insolation board on the table frame built of 1X3’s.
Thanks a bunch to all for your ideas and comments,
Some of those early 4x8 designs were great but given the confines of the room have you considered a shelf layout around the room. A 4x8 takes up a good size portion of even a mid sized bedroom and then you’ll need space around the outside for access. Even if you allow yourself 2 feet around the layout for acess, that 4x8 becomes an 8x12. Take that 4x8 sheet of foam you are planning to use and cut it into 2’ wide shelves and put them up against the wall. Now you only need access to one side plus you’ll have a longer run. Take a trip to the hobby shop or look on line and buy some layout design books before settling on this one design.
If you are settled on the 4x8 format (seems you have invested already), consider putting it on castors so you can keep it against the wall and roll it out to get access just when in use.
Also consider making this first layout a learning one. ie start with the assumption you’ll re-do it in a few years. If you stick your track down with something reversable (white glue can be soaked off, silicin caulking can be peeled up with a flat tool), then the only thing you will be throwing away is some wood and foam and cork and plaster, and lots of time. This way you can make your mistakes, learn the techniques then do a really good layout later.
That is my approach, though I am weakening on tossing away the track-laying work and now I’m considering cutting out the key areas to form part of the second layout that is to come.
right now my layout is kinda an against-the-wall 4x12. the second layout will certainly be an around-the-walls shelf design.
a 4x8 is a great size to start. I was given a 4x8 layout by a friend and it has been expanded into a “L” shape 10x24. As said above start small,learn and then grow (if you want). It helps when the CFO is supportive!
Always nice to see another Bluenoser on the Forum, You make 4
I started with 4X8 and that basic beginning served me very well. Things have changed over time, but the skills I started developing on putting that together served me very well.
I’m in Highfield. I bobbed on the seas for many years, gave it up for stable ground. I visit George every so often though not been there in a couple of months.
Off the topic a bit but I spent 2 years living and working in Halifax (Lower Sackville to be exact). Met some great people and good model railroaders (Metro N-Scalers). Nice people, great country.
Please don’t let anyone on this or other Forums discourage you from starting your railroad empire! I like the editorial in the Jan MR. Start small, get the project finished, then go on & add extensions later. Take a good look at the Turtle Creek Central layout. Sure, you can make some adjustments, most modelers do to make it fit your interests. I like the idea of the 1x4 extension from one corner of the layout.
We’d all like to see pictures of GLOETOWN. Maybe you can persuade Gloria to do a kit or two. The most fun you can have is to turn off the computer and the TV and just run trains.