Looking for small layout suggestions...

[GG1 guy]

I'm looking at options for building a small layout in an extra bedroom.  I will be limited to a 4' X 8' size initially.  I have been toying with the idea of a multi-level layout with a subway on the lowest level.  Anyone have any suggestions, ideas, or sources on track plans and multi-level constriction?  I would like to make it relatively easy to disassemble by levels if possible, and I'm not looking to make the lower level interface with the upper-(two completely separate track systems).  I'm an aircraft electrician by trade & know what to do in that regard-its the structure & track plan portion of the layout I'm trying to figure out. Any help is very much appreciated.

[rayw46]

Try this site.

www.thortrains.net/marx/drlaydex.html

Ray

[rtraincollector]

Personally I always prefered just playing with it till I get something I like. I did one one time just a litle bigger than your saying I think I was 5x10 but it was neat I had 2 trains running where one would go and come to a siding and start the other till it came back to its siding and it would start the other and so on back and forth using a few isolation pins and 2 153C contactors. had basiclly a loop with a figure 8 in the middle that the train would travel befor returning to its siding.

[dougdagrump]

rayw46

Try this site.

www.thortrains.net/marx/drlaydex.html

Ray

Ditto to Ray's suggestion. They have a very wide assortment of small layouts with several different track brands. Even if you don't use an exact copy you might find one that you can modify to fit your needs/wants. 

[dwiemer]

Call that an extra Ditto on Ray's suggestion of Thor's web site.  Also, as RT mentioned, if you go with a slightly larger plan, you can bring along some very nice plans.  Also, many modern locomotives require a 036 track, so by going with a slightly larger plan will bring along a lot of advantages.

Dennis

[Brady]

Dealer displays may provide some ideas

Lionel Dealer Displays

Flyer Dealer Displays

 

Brady

[nickaix]

A loop with a figure 8 in it is an ideal starting point. The genius is that it allows you to pretend your train is actually going somewhere and coming back, because after however-many loops, you can run through half the figure 8 to reverse your direction, and make however-many loops until you "get back" to your "starting point".  Then you can load / unload, reverse direction through the other half of the figure 8, and start a new "run".

[overall]

 

GG1 Guy, 

In addition to Thor's excellent site, there is a book published by Carten's called "Layout Plans". It has some really good track plans in it using Lionel brand track. Also, try to find a book by Linn Westcott called "TRack Plans for Sectional Track. It has all scales in it. Also, an old Lionel book from the fifties called "Model Railroading" has track plans in it.

The Lionel traveling layout has an elevated train running through a city scene. Why don't you consider that? It looks really neat, I think.

George

[phillyreading]

I have a two level layout that don't connect the top & bottom. I have used 2 by 4's(tried one by ones, but it collapsed, need 2 by 4's) to support the upper level to the bottom, make sure you use at least two screws in each upright 2 by 4 and use screws both top & bottom or it may collapse.  For the trolley line extending out over the first level I used one by ones screwed to the lower level plywood from the bottom side to hide the screws, must have one screw through the track to the post. My lower level is supported by three 2 by 4's on sawhorse brackets under 5/8 inch plywood.

I have green Life Like grass mats and I cut some green mat to hide the 2 by 4's that support the upper level.

Lee F.

[balidas]

Have you considered a shelf layout around the walls of your room, similar to what Timboy is building?

[lionelsoni]

I'll second that suggestion.  You'll get much longer and more realistic runs that way for the same amount of table area.  You may find that you can locate some furniture partly (bed, desk) or completely (bookcase, chest of drawers) under the layout.  You can complete a loop with a bridge, liftout, or duck-under across the door, or use a dogbone with a loop on each side of the door.  If attaching the layout to the walls is impractical, you can support it completely from the floor, perhaps with something resilient between the table and the wall to protect the wall.