I took down my HO 11'x6' loop type layout a couple months ago, and time to build a new switching layout (winter is upon us....lol). I don't have my track plan 100% done yet but here we go.
Welcome to the forums.
Don't be afraid to ask questions, no question is stupid if you don't know the answer. Keep us posted on progress.
Good luck,
Richard
Here is an overall view of my switching layout, it consists of a 96”x16” industry section(top left) and a 76”x16” yard section(bottom right). I believe the bench work is about 44” in height, so I can do switching from a chair and have a realistic view(IMO).
Here is a view of the industry section.
Here is a view down to the scrap yard. I am using a Bachman car repair shop as a scrap building, I am pondering making it only two doors to give more room for ground cover or etc. (#15124).
The two BN box cars on the left will were the loading docks are, two reefers will be on that track as well.
View of the grain elevator(>>LINK<<)
That really looks pretty cool, like you can fit a lot into a small space.
Why not put a 16" shelf on the wall opposite the yard as far along that wall as you care/can go? It appears that you would have plenty of isle space to still use a swivel chair. This would give you more industries to switch.You would have to use a small radius to bring the track around and perhaps use a triangle piece of benchwork in the corner.
Bob D
B
Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.
jmbjmb That really looks pretty cool, like you can fit a lot into a small space.
I opened this thread to see just how someone could possibly make an 8X8 shelf layout! I see you have an 8X8 space and do indeed have a shelf layout of 16" arranged around a wall within your space. I, too have a shelf layout of 2 feet arranged in my ceiling area.
I have come to love the flexibility, easy work and simple modification possibilities of the shelf type layout. All they require is un-used wall space leaving the bulk of any room usable for human activities other than trains. Build the shelf a little higher and you can have low furniture, cabinets and storage areas beneath. A trifle bit higher, still, and you can put sofas, beds, under the layout and still enjoy human use of the room to the walls.
The idea of a giant empire on a single large table is pretty much dead today and large, full room sized empires are now done up ala shelf style but with snaking, contoured corridors all about the layout and room, with all points on such layouts fully accessible.
You have done well and there is room for expansion in your situation, yet! All the best.
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
Thanks for the kind words. I really like the smaller shelf type layout vs a bigger sheet.....less buildings(cheaper...lol) but takes more track planning.
Justin,
View of the yard.
View of all my DCC sound locos.
I know, too much power for a switching layout but I hope to do ops involving one 6 axle loco, 2 rolling stock and one caboose to the industry section.
I forgot to mention but a lot of the cork that is down right now will have to come up. Decided not to use the big 3 stall car repair building but a Pikestuff building...hopefully this allow me to get more area for grass, scarp and a fence. Put the grain elevator at the end of the section. This should allow for me to put a road with a small parking lot in. More room for road and grass, definitely put in a crossing gate. Not sure about the track the BN loco is on, just a track for the loco and the caboose to sit on during switching.
Got some cork down tonight, I just use tacks and some fancy $1 store glue.
Getting excited to run some trains.
Two sections down.
The $1 store glue had a cool flat spot to aid in applying on a flat surface.
Here is my newest loco, it's a Athearn Genesis GP38-2(DCC&Sound)....the sound is amazing and rolls really smooth. Here are some better pictures, need to get better lights in the layout room...this is from my photo booth.
The beacon is too cool, works well.
Got some track down.
Engine tracks will not be raised on cork, not a fan of not using cork because it not as easy to get up later if I change things but oh well.
The radius will have a yard tower and a road crossing.
Main line has cork, got a 2% ramp in...just need to lay the track, I need to get a small drill bit for track nail to nail down the track.
Picked up new excavator at a train show this weekend, I am pretty excited...it's hard to find a scrap type excavator.
Close up shot.
View of the grain elevator section, I decided to keep the loco lead.
For the 2% grade into the lower sections I glued a 2% Woodland Scenics grade on to a piece of paper and then cut in half.
Got the run around track in, it's a 18" radius...only switchers will be using it. The inside curve is about 26" radius, it should be ok for my SD70ACE and long reefers.
Scrap yard tracks are in, this was the first time laying track without cork. I also isolated the track right before the switch in case I want to park switchers on it.
2% grade ftw!..lol.
This is what I use to drill my holes for track nails.
Here are some of my supplies.
And....one funny pic.
Bottom left in the picture will be a road crossing, the left of the section will be a road. Got all the cork down for the yard, just need to put down a little more track.
Got all the engine facility tracks down, even put in a yard light, just need to put the rest of the building together.
Run around track is in too, and new spot for the fueling station.
Weather the scrap yard track with Krylon Camo Brown and will use some weathering pens I have later. I used fine ballast(bigger ballast will be used on the main line) on these tracks so trucks could drive around on. Not sure why I put the building were it is but the inside will have a concrete slab for covered loading.
Got most of the tracks down, the track by the backdrop will have loading docks.
Here is a close up pic of the scrap yard with the Krylon Camo brown and fine ballast...still need to chip away loose rock and use the weathering pen.
Did some testing on a test track, this ballast will be for my main line. The brown material shown next to the track is some dirt from my backyard that I cooked and sifted. This is my first time with scenery, so I am doing a lot of testing.
I got a temporary bridge put in so I could make it a loop.
Bridge is 4" wide.
The radius by the grain elevator is 24" and the one close to the camera is about 26".
Made a little more bench work to allow for more of a radius.
Here is the new location of the Grain Elevator.
Where the four covered hoppers are, there will be a Walthers HO 933-3026 Red Wing Flour Mill Kit
This section will be a BNSF maintenance facility, holding gondolas, heavy equipment and extra stock.
Few shots of me figuring out the road to the flour mill....the grain trucks will have their own dirt road that comes off this paved road.
I am going with a 2.8" wide road.
Few more views of the bridge.
Got started on the road, and did some testing on the scenery.
I wanted to do something different for the access road to the Grain Elevator. Thoughts on the colored rock for the dirt road? Look ok?
Here is what I used for the dirt road, on the side of the road I just used dirt from the back yard.
Few more shots of the dirt road.
Doing some testing on the mainline.
Got the gravel parking lot at bit done in the scrap yard.
This will be a small mechanic shop.