I have three main lines and one trolley line. The two bottom lines are on seperate transformers and there are four blocks so that the inside train can sit while the outside train can use part of the inside loop. In addition there are two sidings again each is blocked. The lower tracks use 0-36 curves while the elevated track is 0-42.
The layout will be a farm scene once the inside fields are done.
Daylight....It sounds like you have a plan. I went with 042 on the outside loop and 031 on the inside. Then, in the center, off of the inner 031 loop, is where I put my sidings. If you have engines or cars that reguire 054, then I would go with a 5 foot wide table. Just a suggestion.
Chuck
This is a 5x9 layout. If you like it, or want to modify it, let me know.
Uses O gauge tubular track. Outside curves O-54
This is what runs the large layout.
Here are a few pictures of my 4x8 layout. Due to the small area to work, I went with a much more detailed layout to keep visitors interested and looking for smaller details and scenes.
031 curves, all MTH Scaletrax. Proves you pack alot into a 4x8 with a simple loop.
Michael
My photos won't upload to this site but you can see my layout at. It is 10 X 12.
community.webshots.com/user/otftch
Ed
6 1/2 X 9 1/2 all post war american flyer
34" X 51" American Flyer All Aboard 600
Jim
The layout is actually only 7' x 4'. Basically one big yard. I enjoy switching the most, and wanted an underground passenger station. The trains disappear behind the station, for about 5-seconds, but disappear nonetheless. Plans for buildings above.
Controls:
Overview:
Kurt
Here is my Postwar 027 tubular track 5' x 9' layout. 2 mainlines and a bumper trolley line. There is an autostop feature so that I can run 2 trains on each mainline. The inside main has an up and under section so I have 2 girder bridges. Also, using connected 1122 remote switches, I can select the operation of the layout to allow a single train to travel around the outer main 1 1/2 times, then travel around the inner main 1 1/2 times and then automatically repeat. The two sidings on the outside mainline use cutdown1022 switches so that the sidings will fit in a tight space. There are also 4 sidings for switching operations(9 uncoupler tracks) and for operating accessories (milk car, barrel loader, log/barrel dump, and gantry crane). There are 3 crossing gates, 4 flashing signals, 3 automatic semaphores, automatic gateman, flagman and switch tower. All this in a 5' x 9' layout. Sorry, no mountains or tunnels.
David Smith
Dearborn, Michigan
Here is the same layout, minus a siding and added a O-42 elevated loop(in red).
dsmith wrote: Here is my Postwar 027 tubular track 5' x 9' layout. 2 mainlines and a bumper trolley line. There is an autostop feature so that I can run 2 trains on each mainline. The inside main has an up and under section so I have 2 girder bridges. Also, using connected 1122 remote switches, I can select the operation of the layout to allow a single train to travel around the outer main 1 1/2 times, then travel around the inner main 1 1/2 times and then automatically repeat. The two sidings on the outside mainline use cutdown1022 switches so that the sidings will fit in a tight space. There are also 4 sidings for switching operations(9 uncoupler tracks) and for operating accessories (milk car, barrel loader, log/barrel dump, and gantry crane). There are 3 crossing gates, 4 flashing signals, 3 automatic semaphores, automatic gateman, flagman and switch tower. All this in a 5' x 9' layout. Sorry, no mountains or tunnels.I didn't use any layout software for my track design. On the internet I found a graphic of a layout, I copied the layout and then using Microsoft Picture It(any graphic software will do), I cropped individual photos of straight and curved sections and the 027 switches. Then I pasted the sections onto a blank page, moved, rotated and duplicated the sections as needed. I added the red dots for uncoupler sections, yellow for track bumpers, and rectangles to approximate some of my buildingsDavid SmithDearborn, Michigan
I didn't use any layout software for my track design. On the internet I found a graphic of a layout, I copied the layout and then using Microsoft Picture It(any graphic software will do), I cropped individual photos of straight and curved sections and the 027 switches. Then I pasted the sections onto a blank page, moved, rotated and duplicated the sections as needed. I added the red dots for uncoupler sections, yellow for track bumpers, and rectangles to approximate some of my buildings
David, you're an insipiration! Love the layout and the ambition. Makes me wanna go right out into my 90 degree garage and start putting track together!!
Roland
Daylight, I agree there are some nice layouts here all in small spaces... COOL!
My first layout was around 4x9 or a little bigger with 027 track. I had two mainlines where I could run separate trains and another overhead track where I could run yet another train. In the end I decided it was toooo much. It was hard to watch one train with three running in such a small space. But the noise rumble was pretty loud. One train wasn't so bad... three was another story.
My current layout is smaller (still with 027 track) built on sytrofoam insulation board with a pine frame. It's lightweight and I can move it myself.
I agree with what someone said above... I think LIRR fan, that it's just as much fun to add lots of details to see and watch. I personally think you can have as much fun with one train running so long as there's some switching and accessory action - which is what makes the 3-rail trains so much fun in my opinion.
I'm a big fan of the Looney Toons cartoons. I got to thinking how the Coyote was always falling off cliffs and mountains that just conveniently seemed to automatically end. And I got to thinking, what if I took that concept to make a mountain or tunnel on a small layout where space is at a premium. So that's what I did: The mountains are one-sided that go over the track and then conveniently just end. It's like taking one of those pre-fab styrofoam tunnels you see on holiday floor layouts and cutting it in half, and then put one half on the back side of the layout with the scenery side of the mountain facing you. Saves a lot of space on a small layout and still gives you some scenic variety.
Also consider having a river or lake on a corner of the layout where there's a curve. I built a simple bridge on the curve using pine (with a large brick patter carved into it) and then some basswood bracing under the track between the "brick" piers. There's not much room for accesories in the space on a corner outside an 027 curve where the track is close to the edge of the layout board, so this was another space saving idea that still allowed me some scenic variety.
I also keep things simple. When I had a larger layout, I had this scratch built dumping accessory that puts scrap loads into gondolas and dump cars. It was part of a larger factory. When I went to the smaller layout, I kept the dumping loader but had to ditch the companion factory.
I also have uncoupling tracks on the outside of the layout close to the layout edge, with dump bins mounted on the outside bracing of the layout frame. When activated, the dump cars over the U/C track, unload into these bins... another space saving idea.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
This is my Circus layout. It is 5' x 8'.
I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com
Spankybird, I always love your pics from the layouts - nice track plan! Great stuff guys, lots of different ideas shown.
Here is a pic of my soon to be former layout:
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Jim Fortner wrote:Here is a pic of my soon to be former layout:
Let me guess Jim, you're having to grow in size in order to get that train to go through the reversing loops?
Actually, what you see there was my $40 goof. I was seeing how many cars that 4-4-2 would pull. It pulled all you see for about 1/2 hour at a nice slow speed. Then, it started smoking from the wrong end!!! I had to replace the circuit board and the motor (twice - I accidently drove a screw into the first replacement, which was not threaded). It's all good, 'cause I learned an important lesson - don't do that!
Here's the original plan, which I have modified little by little:
My layout is 6' x 8' and takes up almost half of my living room. I put the layout up from October to February. The bottom has an oval with a passing siding. (used to be a spur) It has O48 curves. The top level is a smaller oval with a trestle and O36 curves.
It's really fun to see how much variation there is on such small layouts! My layout is 5x9, but along the walls instead of an island. Building along walls has some oppurtunities:
1 you can reach about anywhere without having to climb up the benchwork.
2 you can use different landscapes and it doesn't look funny (you can't oversee the layout)
3 Because of you not being able to oversee the layout, the trains look to go somewhere instead of running in circles.
4 No legs, since the layout is fixed to the walls.
Also some disadvantages, the biggest one is that you need to build a duck-under(?) or a lift out bridge to get to your controls and you need a lot more wiring, since you can't just go directly from your controls to the object which needs to be powered..
Photo's are on my website, also look for another 5x9 layout under "mijn oude banen" where my old layouts are.. (salt river canyon railroad..)
Sorry to post so late....This layout is @6' x 7'. At the time the photo was taken, it was a work in progress...many changes since. 4 separate lines, 1 elevated. (Blue bar is part of frame that holds a clear plastic dust cover. Just to give you an idea.....Best of luck!
kpolak wrote:
I love this layout diagram, this is pretty much what I'm looking to build. My idea is to have an outter main that runs the perimeter of the layout that can access an inner loop, but also allows for the ability to change direction. It seems that your layout does all of this nicely.
Thor and All Gauge gets ALL the credit. I made a few modifications, but he did the base layout. Here's the link: http://www.thortrains.net/
Here's last year's Christmas layout: Also by Thor. I was able to run 2-trains at the same time, on the inner and outer loops. Careful with the larger overhangs...
Went head-on with the 2338, and 1666 going opposite directions.
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