Compact HO layout plan?

[Anonymous]

I have just completed the benchwork for a small HO layout which will run "around the walls" of the room. The benchwork consists of L girders every 16" supporting 2" foam. The benchwork plan consists of two 8' walls parallel to each other and two 12' walls also parallel. One of the 12' walls is planned to be 18" wide constructed with a "duck under" all other walls are 24" wide. The bench work is 42" to the top of the foam. The L girders support it very solidly. My problem? I'm stymied. I don't have much of an idea how to go about planning the track for this layout. Can anyone recommend where I can find track plan ideas for this type of bench layout. This is really my first layout other than a small nscale layout I built (2 X 4')
Thanks for any help

[dehusman]

What type of operation do you want? Mainline? Branchline? Rural? Urban? 1920's? 1940's? 1950's? 1980's?

Those answers determine a lot. Go to a library that has Railroader and look through back issues. Buy some planning books from Kalmbach.

There are lots of ideas, and lots of ways to go, but you have to narrow it down somewhat.

Dave H.

[SP4449]

It would be worth you time and effort to figure a way to do the layout without the duck under. If you asked around, you would find that there a lot of disadvantages namely, your back and possibly head. Unless you are near 20, the duck under will get old very rapidly.

[Anonymous]

The most realistic track plans that have been scrunched up into a small space are logging railroads. Speeds rarely ecceed 10 miles an hour so a trip from point 'A' to point 'B' would take several minutes instead of seconds. Being that I'm still in high school and can't afford all those really nice shays that make everyone drule, I try to stick with class 3 railroads that only have a couple freight trains a day and a passenger train everyother day. I have a room that is 11x14 that I am planning a shelf railroad for. I was thinking instead of a duck-under, I would just have a point to point operation with a possibility for a wye. I plan to have mostely 22" radius track because it fits in small spaces and looks realistic in branchline operation. If you have a logging line in mind, they can go down to about 15" radius (this depends on locomotive used; some must have a larger radius than others)

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SP4449
Unless you are near 20, the duck under will get old very rapidly.

Hah! (Excuse the scoff. I couldn't control myself.)

I've designed a removable duck-under in my new layout and I'm far past 20.

If a duck-under helps fulfill your requirements, build it. You might make it removable for those visitors who are physically unable to negotiate it or if you wi***o humor those visitors who simply find it "old." [;)]

Wayne

[Anonymous]

I would like to see some photos of your 2'x4' layout - I am building a 2'x4 1/2' coffee table layout, and like you am looking for a good track plan idea yet. Try a site called "mike's small trackplans" - I think you can get some ideas from there. Thanks!