Layout in small small space

[Melchoir]

Hi there
I am attempting to build a walkaround layout in HO scale in a room that has 3 walls available to me. The walls are 8' x 8' x 15' . I plan to make the ends 42" wide in order to have a continous mainline with the rst of the benchwork being 24' in width.I would also like to have a two level operation in some areas. Any great designers out ther who have been here before or know of a book where I might find some designs for this operation.
Thanks
Canadian Pacific

[Anonymous]

Sounds similar to what my new layout will be, though my working space is 7'x9.5'x7'. I'm also curious if anyone has any suggestions for a starting point.

[Melchoir]

To jsalemi
Have you put any plans to paper or tried any track plans
Canadian Pacific

[Anonymous]

I've been looking through track plans in various books and old MRs I have. A few look like what I'm trying to accomplish, but they're of course usually for much bigger spaces than I have. <sigh> I plan on getting 3rd PlanIt next payday (downloaded the demo, and I'm pretty impressed with it), so my current idea is to pick a plan or three I like from the books, then modify it as I go to fit the space I have.

---joe

[Anonymous]

What do you want out of this layout? Rural, urban, hilly, or mountainous? Coal operations, industrial areas, big yards, grain operations, intermodal terminal, or port? Not that you have to be exact, but a basic idea of what you want to do.

---jps

[Jetrock]

Sounds fairly similar to my space--8'x18' with a 7' high ceiling. I'm putting a shelf layout which will be mostly 12-24" deep, with a point-to-point configuration because I don't care much about continuous-loop operation. I'm modeling a primarily urban switching/industrial belt line.

One thing to keep in mind on a shelf layout is making much use of the backdrop as a scenic element--industrial and building flats, backgrounds rather than modeled scenery, etcetera--to enhance the sense of depth and space.

[Melchoir]

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it. My existing layout is in the same space but I made the mistake of making it 36" wide at a height of 32". Not a great idea. My industries include a coal mine, a grain elevator, a sugar refinery, a pulp and paper mill,an intermodal depot, a coal bunker on a harbor portion of the layout, a brewery and a potato house. I also have three stations and some reidential areas.Part of this is on a second level which goes nowhere in particular. I am going to use some flats as part of the backdrop.I also have a two stall enginehouse(Heljan) big enough to hold a RDC and a Doodlebug gas electric which provide passenger service to my empire and a two track yard. I am going to leave one section at 36" x 48" in order to accomodate my yard, the engine house and the pulp and paper mill.The problem is arranging the rest. Any track plans out there to do this.Canadian Pacific