I am working in HO scale w/ code 83 atlas flextrack
Recently just moved out of my old house and lost my old layout as a result. The new apartment space I have has limited me to an 18’’ radius. In trying to move on from my former around the room setup I have been limited to a 3’x8’ sheet of plywood and an aditional 3’x4’ sheet of plywood for a total length of 12’ feet. I cannot modify this set up, as it is an existing workbench that cannot be moved. The former tennant was into woodworking so… The landlord has permitted use for trains on the bench, but I cannot mount anything on the walls of my apartment and really dont want to set up a 4x8 table. I have though about switching but would like continuous running for when my 5 year old nephew comes to visit. Which leads me to the question:
Does anybody know of any good motive power that can handle tight 18’’ turns? Any Steam equipment? At this point a road doesnt matter. Im starting from the ground up so let me know what you think.
With a 3 foot width table, it seems to me that 18" curves will be haniging right on the edge. You may have to end up with 15", but a continous run would be possible. The 12’ length, however, it pretty inviting.
You will probably have to limit your consists to 40’ cars. Early diesels - GP7s or 9s, RS-2s, would be okay. Early steam, obvioulsy switchers, or some older 2-8-0s could work.
If you can live with the tight radius, there is no reason you can’t do whatever you want.
With a 12ft run, could you possibly take a 41" width at the ends to give you 18" radius turnback curves (with easements)? That would give you a nice start on a dogbone arrangement, and allow you to use narrower in the midde, if you wanted.
That said, the current benchwork will support 15" radius with easments with a reasonable space between board edge and the track. With sharp radii, easements really help with both looks and tracking, and are easily made with flex track.
As far as steam power goes, 0-4-0, 0-6-0, 4-4-0, 4-4-2, 2-6-0, most 4-6-0, and smaller 2-8-0 should be able to do 15" radius. Geared steam should work also. Some motive power may need some “tweaking” (line shafts on Shays come to mind) to handle the swiveling and telescoping of the shafts required for the sharper curves. 40ft cars and shorter will work well. Getting a train to reliably back on the curves will be the real test of your rolling stock, couplers, and track work. It can be done, but there is less room for sloppy work.
with a 3’ width you are going to have less than 18" curves. more like 15"-16". think about putting the ho away and getting some n scale equipment. 16"-17" curves are great for n. you’ll be able to pack a lot of operation and scenery in that space and when your residential situation improves you can sell the layout and go back to ho. you may get to like n and sell your ho equipment.
Like Fred W asked, is there enough space to add to the ends, just enough to support a larger radius? You won’t need to alter the workbench, just cleat the room needed.
Another question, since you’re utilizing the existing bench top, are all your switch machines surface mounted. I don’t think the owner wants all kinds of holes for undermount.
You may have to get creative for the feeders as well.
How about building a new plywood top using 1x3s and laying it on the existing workbench. This way you can incorporate the extensions for the radius needed. Just some thoughts.
Not a bad idea. I only mentioned an additional frame to allow undermounts and the entire layout could be lifted or moved on to horses to do any under track repair or changes. Plus being a rental, the layout could be moved easily.
I was thinking along those same lines. The bench itself cannot support a full 18’’ radius unless I come out at least 2’’ in depth. The foam is good in that it is lightweight as is the frame built from 1x3’s. Thanks for all the ideas so far. I’ll let you know what I end up doing.
As far as steam equipment goes, I have several that handle 18" radius well. A Bachmann 0-6-0 (Duh!), An Athearn 4-6-2 (when it feels like running) and a Mehano (IHC) 2-10-2 (it takes 18" turns like nobody’s business).
Cool. I may get broiled, but I might reccomend the Atlas track plan, with included link. It’s a design program, lacking bells and whistles. But for basics, and being free, it’s pretty good.
Unless you already have a big investment in HO scale, don’t count out Z scale. I have a friend who is into that scale. It has come a long way in the past few years. I agree that it is SO-O-O-O small, but you can do a lot in Z with a 36" wide space.
Do not - REPEAT: DO NOT - go out and buy any Big Boys!
Nick, I find your post just a little on the puzzling side.
Where exactly is this “workbench” you talk about? Is it in a space for which you are being charged rent? And if I were paying rent on that space and I didn’t want that “workbench” I’d doggone sure remove it! The landlord may well be entitled to a condition in your lease/rental agreement prohibiting modifications to the structure itself but I question whether a “workbench” is part of the structure and any provision in your lease/rent agreement prohibiting that would probably be interpreted in a court of law as “an unconscionable provision!”
You state that you
I infer from this comment that you would like an around the room layout; you don’t have to mount a shelf to the wall to have a shelf layout! Build your shelf AGAINST the wall mounted on some sort of a pedestal; you could even use modified standard benchwork for this purpose!
Well, I feel stupid now. Why didn’t we think of around the room tables. Makes a slightly larger turn. UNLESS it’s more a 1 to 2 room apartment, or wallspace is otherwise taken up. when this might not work. And one could acomdate the preexisting workbench in. Plus it can all be made modular on Bob’s 1 by 3 table plan. Iut’ll work better when we can get a room plan and not all have a different Sawhorse Southern plan in our heads trying to help.
with regards to the “work bench”. It is really some very crude cabinentry with a plywood countertop. It seems semi permanent. The tenant before me used it for woodworking.
Have you considered micro layouts? Check out the various switching layouts at: http://carendt.us
On that site look for variations on John Allen’s classic “Timesaver”, and on the “Gum Stump and Snowshoe” (Chuck Yungkurth, Model Railroader, April 1966) The GS&S is much improved by the run-arounds suggestions.
If you can break away from the oval, then you are not limited by turn radius. My entire layout is 12x80 inches, Atlas code 83 super flex track, and I can add it into a larger design. It can fit 6 40 ft boxcars, a 60 ft pasenger car, and a Bachmann 44 tonner or other switcher.
It is OK to insist on a loop. HO scale offers short road switchers in steam, diesel, and electric. On2.5 works just fine on 18 to 15 inch radius.
Go for detail instead of sweeping vistas and you will be in great shape!
