Idea for size of layout

[Anonymous]

I am new at this. I am planning to use the HO scale. To start out i was thinking a 4X8 layout. Could go bigger, will that be a good idea since i am new? Is there a webpage that one could go to to get information on layouts? Like what radius is needed to make a turn (complete circle)?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Being a Newbi like you..... Thats what I "started" with is 4x8, and one of Woodland Scenics Scencery Kits to begin with. Also have done a couple of their learning kits too. Best thing would spending alot time reading through the different forums first. From there you will get a lot better idea of what you would like to accomplish. However, I had already collected a sizeable amount along time ago. Now I am in the begining of trying to do something with it all.

Really can't answer your radius Q tho...

[egmurphy]

Brian

Just a few ideas and points of info. Hopefully you'll get more reponses or you can always post again with specific questions.

There's no best size and there are always trade offs between size / work required to complete / cost / minimum radius allowed, etc.

1. minimum radius - standard answer always is 'the wider the better', but recognizing that you probably have space limitations let's start here. The minimum available radius for sectional track in HO is (I believe) 15" and 18" radius. Since radius is measured to the centerline of the track, those two radius curves would equate to circles of roughly 32" and 38" diameter. A majority of HO equipment will probably work on these curves although the equipment may look funny going around curves that sharp, and the tighter your curves the better your trackwork better be. Engines, especially steam, get very picky when they are forced through tight curves. You may want to see if you can work in curves of at least 22" radius, which would give you a circle of 46" diameter, which would just fit in your 4' width table.

2. layout size - You can do an adequate starter layout in 4x8. Once you want to go a bit larger you are probably going to need to look at an 'around the wall' type design (think of a layout in the form of a big C or U'). That's because you don't want to go any wider than 4'. You shouldn't design anything where you need to reach more than 2' to either build the layout (trackwork, wiring, scenery) or access trains during operation (rerailing a car, etc). You can probably get away with 2-1/2', depending on how high you make your layout, but beyond that it's going to be too difficult to reach. So many wind up with a C shaped layout where one end has maybe a 4-5' square area where you can have a curve, then narrowing down to a 2'wide shelf that runs in an L or C shape around the walls to another 4-5' square area for the return curve. If you wind up with a lot of space you start going to peninsulas sticking out into the room (think of an E shaped layout).

3. When starting out it's better (in my opinion) to plan something that won't stretch you too far economically or time wise. Nothing worse than building the benchwork for an empire then finding you don't have the time or funds to get it running in a reasonable amount of time. You can always plan the layout so that it can be expanded and the first layout incorporated in something larger in the future if you like.

Just my opinions, others will have different ideas.

Hope that helps a bit,

Regards

Ed

[RedLeader]

Don't trust in the manufacturers "minimum radius". Most models require a wider curve radius for optimal running. The "minimum radius" is just that, the minimum radius the car will turn, but it doesn't mean it will work well, by itself or coupled with other similar or longer cars. My advise would be 24"+ for mainlines. With this radius you can run most of the comercial stuff. More tighter radii, like 18" will limit you a big deal, but if you're only starting with a small layout is ok to get you familiarized.

I strongly recomend you to pay a visit to www.NMRA.com . In there you'll find all the standards and recomended practices to build any model railroad in any scale. Other pages like www.layoutdepot.com may be usefull. In here you'll find a wide selection of layout plans you may download in RTS format. The modelrailroder page (just follow the link at the top of this screen) is very usefull too, with lots of advises, "clinics", FAQs and "how-to"s.

You may also want to buy any of the books printed for newbies, like Kalmbach's "Basic Model Railroading:Getting Started in the Hobby".

Welcome to this wonderful hobby. I've found out that the best source of information is this forum, with a lot of good people and model railroaders willing to give you a hand any time.

[tstage]

Brian,

I'm somewhat a newbie myself. I only started building my layout in May. My suggestion would be to start with a 4 x 8' layout first. Use that as your "learning curve" and tryout as many ideas that come to mind. There are a lot of referance good books (track planning, how tos, ins and outs, facilities, etic.) that are very helpful, as well as websites that you can visit that will give you some good ideas. One in particular has a bunch of small, simple layouts that use sectional track

I will suggest, since you have a computer, that you go to Atlas's webpage (http://www.atlasrr.com) and download their RTS program. RTS (Right Tracks Software) is a software program for designing layouts. Just play around with it. It will help you figure out how the sectional pieces can fit together. It uses their sectional track, crossings, and turnouts on a blank template. It is limited in what it can do but...It's FREE! - and worth looking at. From what I have heard, it doesn't work with XP yet.

Anyhow, hope that helps.

Tom

[egmurphy]

Good suggestion on the RTS software. I used it in designing my layout.

But one small correction, I have Windows XP and have no trouble with RTS, other than the problems due to my limited computer abilities.

Here's a link to a site with a lot of simple, small trackplans. These are in N scale. HO scale is 1:87, while N scale is 1:160. It's a little less than half HO size. So the plans here that show as 2x4 in N scale could be built in a 4x8 in HO scale (HO scales up at 1.83 times N scale dimensions). You'd be dealing with tight curves, but by selecting small diesels (4 axle as opposed to 6 axle) and 40' and 50' cars instead of the modern long cars you could get away with it. In any case it will give you something more to look at.
http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm


Regards

Ed

[tstage]

Thanks, Ed. I was corrected about the XP issue on the other post that I was referring to.

Brian,

Ed's web link is a good one. Lotsa' good ideas and interesting operation - even though they are in N scale. That's the one that came to my mind but I didn't know the name or URL for it. Basically, just double the size of the layout to get your HO dimensions.

Tom

[Anonymous]

4X8 is a good starter size. Depends on what kind of trains you will run how happy you will be with it in the long run. For modern trains with 60' and up lengths, 18" radius will not look good. If you are modelling passenger operations from any ear, you won't be happy with the tight curves and neither will your locomotives. All of that said, 4x8 is where most of us started and it's just a sheet of plywood that could find other uses when you build the next layout. Hardly anyone I know has only built one and stayed with it.

[2021]

4x8 is a good starting point, but be sure to experiment with different materials and grades. Think of it as a learning layout to gain experience and if possible build it with room around it. I started this way and soon added 3x5 wings on either side so I could add a coal mine and a lumber yard facility. This 2 year learning curve has know led to a larger plan (15x20 room). The great thing about this hobby is you never get tired of it because there are so many areas to work in (benchwork, track plans, scenery, backgrounds, etc.) not to mention locomotives and rolling stock.
Good luck, Ron

[pbjwilson]

Checkout this website. It has some really nice do-able layouts.

www.gatewaynmra.org/project.htm

[DSchmitt]

Model Railroader (Kalmbach) publishes a lot of very good books. Many are orientated to the beginner although still useful for more advanced modelers. I have most of their books in my library.

http://store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading.html

101 Track Plans For Model Railroaders is a classic. It should be in the library of anyone interested in track plans. Its an idea book, not a how to book. Sizes range from smaller than 4 x8 (HO) to huge club layouts. While layout design concepts has evolved somewhat since it was first published, it has many good designs in the 4 x 8 range.

Track Planning For Realistic Operation is a must have. It gives a lot of info on the prototype and how on it can be fit a model railroad. Also good layout design standards.

Small Smart and Practical Track Plans is a recent book by a top British layout designer and has excellent American prototype layouts using many of the techniques developed by British modelers for realistic looking layouts that fit in small spaces.

[IRONROOSTER]

Welcome to this, the most fascinating of hobbies.

Most of us started with a 4x8 sheet of plywood because it's easy to get set up. Since you indicate that you can go bigger I would suggest that you go to 5x10 (or 5x12), but use a 4x8 track plan enlarged a little. This will give you a broader radius (try for 24" minimum) and let you use #6 turnouts. This will will operate better and longer locos and cars will do better.

Do checkout the books that DSchmitt mentioned above. "Track Planning For Realistic Operation" is the must have book.

Enjoy
Paul

[RMax1]

On the Atlas site there are several layouts to look at. My first layout I picked one of those and since I had a very long room stretched the plan by adding 3 nine inch sections and a 6 in to make it wider. Worked great to learn on but I out grew it in a year or so. The layout I am working on now is a modified John Armstrong layout from one of his books. I took sections that i liked and mixed them into a layout. His book has a lot of information about the way a railroad functions. This helped to make decisions as to what goes where.

RMax