Thinking about abandoning 5x8 layout for an around-the-room setup

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I posted a few weeks ago and got some great advice from forum-goers about my 5x8 layout plans for my first "real" foray into model railroading. Since then, I've got the train running on a basic oval with flex and sectional track and revelled in the success of getting it "working". However, I've been reading a lot online about those who decry the "sacred sheet" method of Model RRing and favour around-the-room layouts as allowing more interesting scenery and operation.

I was planning on doing a foam-based, open-grid-style, bench that could be moved to allow my tabletop wargaming surface below to be accessed. A long look at the basement, however, has revealed a new possibility

Benchwork of 4' x 9' and then 10'x 3' in an L shape around a different part of the room like so: 

l-----------------l
l                        l
l                        l
l-------------      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l----l

 

This would not interfere with my wargaming and would allow the benchwork to be permanent (using L-girders/cookie cutter style). Now I unfortunately have zero idea what I would do in that space, would anyone have any recommendations as the the kind of layout that could fit in that area? 

[BNENGR]

Hello Excalibur,

What scale are you modeling in? If it's N scale, you have room for a really nice layout. If it's HO scale, you can still build a fairly nice railroad but you'll have to be careful with the curves. You could use 22" radius curves on the 4x9 part but you'd have to go with 18" rad. curves on the narrower 3 foot wide section. It depends alot on what kind of locos and rolling stock you have. A 6 axel road diesel or even larger steam locos would have a hard time cornering on the 18" rad. curves. The 22's would be okay. Also any long cars would'nt make the tight turns well either.

As far as a layout, I'll leave that to the more experienced guys in the group to answer that. But a nice yard of some sort could probably be incorporated into that space.

Paul

[dknelson]

There are plenty of layouts on sheets of plywood that provide plenty of fun so I wouldn't change to something different unless you really sense you want the advantages that come with the around the room set up. 

Point to point layouts with no curved ends and track going through each scene only once is the preference of many --- including me by the way -- but some people just like to run trains and also point to point can be limiting when you start to get a smaller layout space -- basically local switching is what you do.      

What you might try is this.  Make a drawing on paper of your current layout "to scale" such as 1" equal 1 foot, cut it in half, and place it on a similar 1" = 1' scale drawing of your room.  Graph paper is good for this.   Then see what can fit in between the halves.  If your board was cut in half and made the two distant ends of the layout, but what came in between as much narrower, say 18 inches or so, or even 12" you could have an around the room set up, with room for curves at the ends, but with more tangent track in between for industries or just running.  Sort of a big, bent dogbone.  You might even be able to salvage some of the track already in place at the curved ends.  What you would be doing is giving yourself more layout in between the curved ends, without taking up much more floor space in the room.  Remember that you need access to every inch of track.

Dave Nelson

[bogp40]

It's a good choice for the more around the wall design. If you could, try adding just enough width to that 3' section just to hold the track for a 22" radius. The entire length need not be wider, just an arc to allow the larger radius. Be carefull of that corner reach. A curved backdrop/ and maybe some corner access may help.

[fwright]

Hi all,

I posted a few weeks ago and got some great advice from forum-goers about my 5x8 layout plans for my first "real" foray into model railroading. Since then, I've got the train running on a basic oval with flex and sectional track and revelled in the success of getting it "working". However, I've been reading a lot online about those who decry the "sacred sheet" method of Model RRing and favour around-the-room layouts as allowing more interesting scenery and operation.

I was planning on doing a foam-based, open-grid-style, bench that could be moved to allow my tabletop wargaming surface below to be accessed. A long look at the basement, however, has revealed a new possibility

Benchwork of 4' x 9' and then 10'x 3' in an L shape around a different part of the room like so: 

l-----------------l
l                        l
l                        l
l-------------      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l      l
                  l----l

 

This would not interfere with my wargaming and would allow the benchwork to be permanent (using L-girders/cookie cutter style). Now I unfortunately have zero idea what I would do in that space, would anyone have any recommendations as the the kind of layout that could fit in that area? 

I am assuming you have access to both 9ft sides of the 4x9 area.  Otherwise, access issues are going to doom this arrangement.  I'm also assuming HO.  If either assumption is wrong, ignore the rest of my post.

I look at the space as ideal for a modified 4x8 with extension.  Something like the Jerome and Southwestern comes to mind.  If you can live with the short trains and 18" radius curves in HO, an extension added to a good 4x8 plan really improves the operation and fun.  The extension usually adds a branch, switching area and/or another terminal so that real point-to-point operations are possible when you want them.

Such an arrangement also lends itself very well to phased construction.  You aren't faced with doing all benchwork, then all trackwork, then wiring, then scenery and structures.  Instead, you start with a simple loop on the 4x9 section, adding to it as desires and resources permit.  Lay some track, wire it up, add some scenery, operate for a while.  Then start on the next phase.  You add the extension when you are ready, because it's not critical for initial operations.

just my thoughts, your choices

Fred W 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input everyone. I forgot to mention that this is indeed HO scale, sorry. And since it's around the walls, I would only have access to one side of the 9' section of the 4x9. I hadn't really considered the reach issue for the back of the 4'... I'll have to think on that.

I have space that I could easily build up the 3' section so that 22" curves would be possible for a loop around - and a loop would be essential as I really just want to model and then watch the train go around but have some operating potential to play around with.

As for abandoning the plywood sheet in the middle of the room, the more I look at the setup I have now the more I realize that a "dream" of having the train and gaming table use the same floor space was quite ill advised. I either have to put away the rolling stock and move the table every time I game AND pack up all my wargaming so I can move the train table, or I can take advantage of future expansion as has been pointed out.

Is there any way to make a 4' reach doable? Something like a cutout or such in the corner perhaps?

[fwright]

Thanks for the input everyone. I forgot to mention that this is indeed HO scale, sorry. And since it's around the walls, I would only have access to one side of the 9' section of the 4x9. I hadn't really considered the reach issue for the back of the 4'... I'll have to think on that.

I have space that I could easily build up the 3' section so that 22" curves would be possible for a loop around - and a loop would be essential as I really just want to model and then watch the train go around but have some operating potential to play around with.

As for abandoning the plywood sheet in the middle of the room, the more I look at the setup I have now the more I realize that a "dream" of having the train and gaming table use the same floor space was quite ill advised. I either have to put away the rolling stock and move the table every time I game AND pack up all my wargaming so I can move the train table, or I can take advantage of future expansion as has been pointed out.

Is there any way to make a 4' reach doable? Something like a cutout or such in the corner perhaps?

You, your layout, and your back will not be happy with cutting popup access holes to keep a 4ft depth for the entire 9ft.  When you bump the table trying to use the access holes, you create magnitude 9 earthquakes for your railroad and little people to deal with.  This is in addition to the pain inflicted on your body, and the joy of crawling underneath everytime a train derails in the back.  Don't ask me how I know this.

Given the additional information I would change my recommendation to a bent dogbone or water wings style, where only the outer turnback loops are 4 feet deep, and the rest is cut back to 30 inches or less deep.  This assumes you will then have access on 3 sides to those turnback curve areas.

just my thoughts

Fred W 

[superbe]

 

I am builing a similar shaped layout with about the same dimensions. Unfortunately I don't have the space to make it wider on the ends to accomodate access against the wall so I moved it out 18". This not only gives me access all around but I am able to work on my backdrop. In fact I did most of it before placing the layout.

Also you might want to check on your overhead lighting before making the layout permanent.

Good luck and keep the pictures coming.

Bob

[jamnest]

I would suggest you consider high (48" - 60") modular (dominoes) benchwork around the walls of the room.  Your modules can be 12"-24" wide.  The modules are free standing on 2X2 legs which insert into pockets on each module.  You can have large radius on this type of layout.  You can still use the room for other things.  I have done several of these type of layouts in small apartments.  One ran around my living/dining room.  When I was not using the layout I had a removable section across the door which I removed.  If you later move to larger quarters you can just add on to your existing layout.  Moving the layout is easy too.

JIM