May be moving, what is an ideal train room size and shape?

[Doughless]

For what I want to do...30 x 10

[John Busby]

Hi all

Just a thought the larger a layout gets the more thought that needs to go into keeping things as simple as possible but still within the builders requirements.

So the project remains do-able and trains can be got running in a reasonable time frame.

After all runing trains is in the end what its all about even though I personaly like having the whole box and dice.

regards John

 

[Onewolf]

28'4" x 32'4"   

[wgc53217]

The snappy answer to "how large" is: There is no such thing as too much space.

However, few of us can afford a vacant department store or similar building, so we

have to work with what is possible.  Time is also an important factor.  You don't want your wife and kids to think of you as the mysterios stranger who sleeps here. 

So, some balance and compromise of size will likely be necessary.  I think it really

comes down to what each person is able and comfortable doing, with no really

right or wrong answer, just whatever fits you.

Carl W

[CRIP 4376]

I have found over the years that the size of the room is an inverse proportion to your age.  The older you get, the less you can handle, at least if you work by yourself.  My basement HO layout room is 14x20.  There are no duckunders.  Aisle width is 30 in. which allowed a minimum radius of 28 in.  It is one long, folded loop with six passing sidings which aren't very long, but that is no problem with short trains.  It still takes 15 minutes for a train to make it all the way around.  Even with an eight track staging yard under the layout, I still have more cars than the layout can handle.  I also opted for a 130 ft turntable and a 12 stall roundhouse, so that eats major space.  Right now, I wouldn't want a larger space as I don't know if I will even live long enough to finish what I have.  I keep telling my wife that I am content with what I have.

 

Ken Vandevoort

[mobilman44]

I've given this a lot of thought, for I've never had the opportunity of choosing the size of a layout space.  Heretofore it was a given - this room or that part of the basement or the like.

What I have come down to is perhaps one should design his RR first, and then determine what size room would accomodate it.   Of course I've always done it the other way around........... something to think about.