Layout for Hobby shop

[Anonymous]

I own a hobby shop, and I upgrading to a larger store. I was thinking about putting a line or two around the top of the shop walls in one area. Approx a 16' x 50' area and I am looking for ideas and suggestions on this neat project I hope.

[Big_Boy_4005]

[#welcome]to the forum. Generally speaking the larger the scale of train that you use on a ceiling or high wall type layout, the more impact you will have. G or 3rail O work well, depending on what types of trains you carry.

[rrinker]

The nearest shop to me that carries any model railroad stuff has a 2-track G gauge line runnign around his store with hangers that sus[pend the track bed fromt he ceiling. It doesn't go just around the outside walls, at one point it runs down en fo the aisles. Hanging from it somewhere is a mention of who makes the hangers and how much it costs, but I don't recall either from the last time I was there. The shop is Trains and Lanes Hobbies in Easton, PA, you can probably find it in a directory and give them a call.

--Randy

[cwclark]

yeah..i agree with the above..a G gauge around the wall is going to be a real eye catcher...I've been to two places that had nice G gauge layouts on the upper wall and it brought in the crouds...one was in Heber City, Utah at a local ice cream shop and another was in a restuarant in East Texas...

[Anonymous]

i would agree with the the others big is better. if it was in ho you wouldnt see it right ?
plus your dementions would require exstensive detail and time. go big. I would recommend an engine and 3 pasenger cars, one postal car, and another pasenger car with the sky windows. these are very apealing espesially when luminated. incorperate a small town with a senic route with bridges tunnels and trees and lots of trees. trees are cheap. espesialy in larger scale, a lot of supplies can be accumulated with realistic value kinda like chrissmass themes, but it is how you incorperate you your theme. do it low buck but yet apealing to to the naked eye. it doesnt have to cost a whole lot of moneies but just something that makes sence?with a quick assembily. I have to commend you on your marketing approach and I would like to see this more thewout atlanic canada. best of luck .

[Anonymous]

I would agree that since it is farther away from the viewer, and a little difficult to see, that a larger scale would be preferable.

At the same time, I would also suggest doing something with HO, if it is what a good portion of your customers are interested in. I wouldn't suggest doing it on a high-line where it would be hard to see, but even some little diorama.

---jps

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jschuknecht

I would agree that since it is farther away from the viewer, and a little difficult to see, that a larger scale would be preferable.

At the same time, I would also suggest doing something with HO, if it is what a good portion of your customers are interested in. I wouldn't suggest doing it on a high-line where it would be hard to see, but even some little diorama.

---jps

An HO layout is a good idea if you have room for a 4x8. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it will give you a chance to demonstrate the use of a wide variety of products, which should help sales. If you want to get fancy, do up a nice layout all the while giving demos and using it as a sales tool. When complete, sell it, and start another one.

You could use one of the Kalmbach books for a plan, and step by step instructions.