That’s a very good point. A 4x8 can be a good starting point for a larger layout, where the 4x8 may be a peninsula in the final plan. That’s why I think a 4x8 could be built as one large industry or one town, with that town being the destination/origin point for the around the peninsula shelves. What doesn’t work so well is trying to simulate distance in that small of a space
There are definite instances where a 4 x 8 footprint can be effectively utilized to build a model railroad. My situation is an excellent example.
I have an area in my basement 10 feet by 21 feet in which to develop my layout. This space comes with a series of complications such as access requirements to windows, closets and an electrical panel. I’ve drawn up numerous track plans for the space, none of which seemed to be suitable in the long run.
Instead of attempting to fill the entire 200 square foot space with layout all at once, I’ve decided to build a 4 x 8 foot section and treat it as two 2 x 8 foot “layout design elements” with a view block running down the center. I have an old layout plan book by John Armstrong in which he has a design for a layout he dubbed the “Happy Acorn.” The acorn being the nucleus for a railroad designed for future expansion.
With my 32 square feet of “acorn” aligned lengthwise I can lengthen it at my leisure by adding additional sections over time. For now I’ll be able to run trains and get something going without worrying about how I’m going to fill my whole space in one fell swoop. And as an added bonus, I can keep everything I’ve built in case I ever have to move, as a 4 x 8 frame is fairly portable.
For me, a 4 x 8 works very well as I have room to expand it. Those with less space to devote to a model railroad may find that 32 square feet put to better use in some other configuration.
While it might not be the best use of space, I dont dislike them and infact have a layout that is 5’8" by 8’. Its land locked on 3 sides and I have to pull it out from the wall to deal with issues on the back side. But my room is small, around the room shelf layout was not an option for us. And we got this layout given to us. I like it and I dont mind dealing with the limitations of the curve radius and getting to the back side of the layout. I stay with 4 and small 6 axle diesels due to the 18" curves. I run predominantly Alco diesels with RSD5’s and RS11’s depending on which prototype I am running at that time(C&O branch line or early BN in the Oregon/Washington state area) Although I might make a modlers choice and update my C&O to more modern times but still with Alco’s and use the BN RS11’s for the shortline that connects to the main railroad. As long as we enjoy what we have, then who is to say different? In the future my wife and I plan to move to a larger house with more room for a layout. Then I will move to an around the walls type layout. The layout is track plan #23 from the Atlas track plan book, folded dog bone with reverse loop if you use the crossovers of which there are 2. I did modify the rear side small yard to just a connection track for interchange since you cannot see or switch it. Cheers Mike P.S. We had to cut the layout in 2 to get it out of the previous owners basement, so that is the line you see thru the scenery. I havent had time to blend it back together yet. I would have never made it into my room thru the hall door intact either. So I will keep the joint, like a modular layout, so I can remove the layout when we move again. I also hate building layouts, and this one is right were I like to take over, final details, signals ect. I use NCE DCC to operate it.
[IMG]http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j285/cadetpwr/layoutpics008
This is simliar to what I was going to say; but, I would say it is more that the person has had an epiphany. They now have a mission to force that epiphany on everyone else instead of letting others go through the natural evolution to come to that same conclusion. This is also despite differing situations of others (discussed by most of the other posts on the thread).
I see the same thing in other area’s as well. In the DCC arena I see many Johnny-come-lately people being the most anti-DC people out there. I just have to laugh being one who had the control the train not the layout epiphany in 1979. Almost the same with “staging” those who have just learned of the concept seem to be the most admimant that everyone has to have it.
This is one reason I really liked the philosopy Friday question this week. It addresses what some people have gone through to get where they are today.
I disagree here. Having read many of these over the past 4-5 years. I think people might mean to be offering helpful suggestions, l but they come off in a very self righteous better-than-thou attitude fashion. Just reading these as a third party I get the impression the “helpful” person is telling the original question person that they are “just stupid for not doing it this other way”. I would take it as a personal affront had I been the original poster. I know it is hard to convey tone of voice, inflections, sarcasm, or joking comments over the text of the internet, but even in that light I still interpret many of these as personal and hostile.
The topic seems to have exhausted itself. Time to call it baked. [:)]
Crandell
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