Might I offer my own layout as a possible start for you at http://xdford.digitalzones.com/modelrr7.htm as well as the operating schemes I use at http://xdford.digitalzones.com/modelrr20.htm. And it certainly can be grown so you do not have to build it all at once,
Cheers from Australia
Trevor
you can also either google or bing image search "track plans"
Welcome to the forums!
As shown in Alex's first layout sketch, there is a view block down the middle of the layout. I recommend one, as it makes your trains go somewhere out of sight. You can have an industry on one side served by one on the other side. Other cars in the train can be through traffic. One thing I would doing in to not have the view block parallel to the sides nor necessarily centered. Since 30" is considered about maximum reach on a 5' wide layout you should keep it close to center. Mine is close to center, but at a slight angle, which makes it look less structured. It also gives a little more space for a larger switching area on one side and yet leaves room to have some switching on the other. There are many ways to disguise the ends where the trains disappear around the ends. I used a deep rock cut on one end and a grove of tall trees at the other. Going behind buildings, under an overpass and tunnel enterances are other ways.
Have fun,
Richard
have you seen -- HO 4x8 alternatives or considered something more open -- San Jacinto
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Hi, and welcome to the Forum!
While everyone wants a huge layout, most of us got our start on small ones. That being said, 5 x 8 is really a nice starter size for an HO layout (beats the heck out of 4x8.
Previous posters directed you to various track plan books, and I agree with their suggestions.
Given the size of your available space, I would use the 22 radius track as the sections are readily available, and easier for a "newbie" to work with than flex track.
However, using that "small" radius means that you would be much better off in avoiding large locos and cars.
Oh, take your time with each step, test at every opportunity, and make your "good enough" threshold as high as you can!
ENJOY!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I found two track plans in 4x8 that match the despription very closly. You can also find a larger pic of the track plans in the trackplan database. To make it feel more like Minnesota, you can easlier subsitute the names and industries to suit your needs. And to use 22'' radius curves you would use a 5x8 like you were going to. I love the idea to build a layout in MN, I was born in the suburbs on Minneapolis. Contact me if you need more help.
My Layout Photos- http://s1293.photobucket.com/user/ajwarshal/library/
And check out the Track Plan Database on the "Home" page, labelled MR Extra, which I guess means you have to be a MR subscriber for access. I also liked to peruse a booklet like 101 Track Plans (but there may be a preferred one, I can't compare). I also like playing with my own ideas and then detailing them with (free) track planning software (such as XTrackCAD). I played with a larger garage sized layout, a new (major construction project) attic room I knew better than to tackle, then settled on a 5-1/2 x 10-1/2 HO layout in the upstairs office / gameroom (which required management approval).
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
This will help get you started...
Check out Special Issues at the MR Bookstore where you'll see no less than 3 track plan(s) issues with more article(s) info than only track plans, and; Information Station has PDF-downloads via collections of past MR Magazine articles.
Also, don't overlook a fairly extensive How To near the top of this webpage. I've also found Track Design at RMC to be helpful -- Note the 5 track planning diagrams. It is hard to beat DIY research in model railroading.
For what its worth, my plans for (N Scale) CR&T uses an apx. footprint with 5'x9' -- Layout design is "a wide" U-Shape with two layout levels. Thus, CR&T is not planned as "a sheet of plywood."
I'm sure others will chip in with more insight.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Hello, this is my first post on a forum so bear with me here. I have been trying to figure out a track plan that suits me but nothing has seemed to work out, I plan for the layout to be set in the upper midwest/central minnesota, and I would like a spur for a grain elevator, possibly a paper mill, a warehouse of some sort, and a sand/rock company. I hope to use 22 or 24 radius curves. Suggestions? Ideas? A very cleverly designed track plan?