There has been a fair amount of discussion about industrial switching type layouts here lately. I have been thinking about building one. Right now I have a 3x6.5 foot door with an oval type layout on it, and to switch to a switching layout I would have to get rid of it. The switching layout will be 2x10 (oh, by the way, I model in HO).
So those of you that have the smaller switching layouts, do you enjoy running them? Would you give up the small continuous run for better operations and a more “real” layout?
An HO layout with continuous running would have 18" or less as a ruling radius. This is the absolute minimum I 2ould use for switch engines. Road engines need much larger radii to look and operate well. (especially steam)Therefore, I would remove the existing track and make a yard out of the door.
I know what you mean about the minimum radius. I have a Walthers GP-9, a 2-6-0, a 0-8-0 and a SW-9, and although they all run flawlessly over the 15" radius curves (and even through number 4 turnouts), they do not look real. I like seeing continuous running, but I am leaning toward a switching layout. So, would you build the switching layout on the 3x6.5 instead of using the 2x10 foot space?
I am building a small switching layout 18" x 16’. Small yard at one side and industrial area at the other. Yes i enjoy running the layout. Small space requires big thinking to make it work.
Im building a 2’x7’ shelf switching layout. I get a lot of enjoyment from operating it, but I do miss sitting back and watching long trains run. I’m planning on building a simple oval that can be put in storage when not in use for running longer trains when im finished the shelf one.t
shelf layouts arent for everyone, so if you can I would suggest buying some sectional track in the basic configuration the actual layout will be and running that for a few weeks to see if its for you or if you need to make adjustments.
From experience the looping layout may get boring unless you mix in some switching. Your right, some big thinking is needed to fit things in. I am going for shelf layouts with serious switching in mind. But also trying to fit in some good running time for nominal trains 20 carsish. I have one spot planned that has a small loop worked in, I need a testing spot for locomotive work and run in time. But the rest of the layout, its point to point style. But yeh, from time to time I will want to sit back and run that train. I will be modeling multiple railroads in a small space so I am going to make “cheat” connections to make a continuous run. I have more space than 2x10 however.
I think for a small switching layout you want your lokies geared down or do a shay or geared loco line. Makes the short distances go longer with the slow speed. Also working out a multi-level design will make it interesting also.
If your still serious about getting some kind of continuous run, maybe you can work in a dog bone loop that goes underneath or over the layout.
If it were me, I’d split the difference…screw a 2x2 to each long edge of the door, giving roughly 39" total width on the door…then expand your curves to around 18" radii. Follow that up with some switching opportunities inside the door oval, and 3’ or so shelf extension off one end with some more switching destinations.
For some reason I just can not wrap my mind around a dead ended shelf layout. I’ve got the HO track, locomotives, rolling stock kits, structures, and two stretches where I could do two 8’x16" shelves…I’ve even got a funky idea for a long single track bridge across double windows to connect the two…but I can’t ge excited about doing it. I know this kind of layout works great for many, but from what I’m reading, it sounds like you have serious doubts about how one would work for you.
I’m building a switching layout right now. I will only be running small switchers, so my main expense will be rolling stock.
I finished the benchwork today and have laid about 3/4 of the track although it is not glued down yet. I expect to get that done tomorrow. I’ll post a picture.
To be fair, this layout is being put up to have something to be run while I get the benchwork and trackwork done on my 11 x 10 layout. I expect I will not have that ready for continuous run for about a year. Still I expect the switching layout to be very entertaining.
Also, I had to eliminate the sliding staging so I just have the extension as a fiddle track.
