Who of us does not dream of building a large layout?
Since my childhood days, I have been dreaming of that, but it always remained and always will be a dream only. Even if I had the space (and the funds) to build one of these empires, I would not do it. I don´t want to engage into a project I am certainly not finishing. These days, I even consider a 4 by 8 "large". I like small layouts with unusual, creative designs and concepts, nicely detailed. Actually, more "working" dioramas than layouts.
I have learned a lot from being in a modular club (HOn3, NSNG in the Denver area).
I used to think that my ultimate HO/HOn3 layout would fit in a 24ft x 24ft space. After my modular experiences, I'm not sure I would still want to try building a layout of that size as a one man thing. Or even with a few friends.
One of the dichotomies the modular club has experienced is the difference in operations preferences. Back in the '50s, John Armstrong wrote an MR article that divided operations preferences into 3 categories - spectator, engineer, and dispatcher. Admittedly, we don't have too many dispatcher types in HOn3, but we do have those who like to watch a train run through scenery (Armstrong's spectator), and those who like to do switching (Armstrong's engineer).
Since we usually have more modules available than room to setup at most venues where we have a layout (typical 30ft x 50ft space), the planner has to decide whether to put space between towns using single track scenery modules or lots of switching opportunities by reducing the number of scenery modules.
And that's when the differences arise. "I can't do any switching because too many guys are just running trains through scenery." "I want to enjoy watching my locomotive and cars running through the great scenery club members build." "Can't run enough trains simultaneously because it's too far between passing sidings, and some of the sidings are too short." "We don't have enough scenery, the towns are too close together."
There is also the construction. To some, building a single track scenic module is boring, and they don't really want to complete or store such a module at home. To others, scenery is their thing. One member developed a method to build very narrow - 8 to 12 inch wide single track scenic modules - to reduce the need to scenic so much area. Add short flaired sections to match up to the normal 24" width, and the result looks very good.
Observing all this has significantly changed not what I want from a home layout, but rather changed how I would go about achieving the result. My ideal home layout would be mostly modules, with a few home-only sections that did/do not meet the modular specs to help the resulting layout fit in the available space.
As many have discussed, the result would actually be less complex than my original plan, but spread out over more area. I would keep the scenery requriements increase to a minimum by usually using very narrow shelves or sections for the single track runs. I believe Joe Fugate uses a very similar philosophy on his layout. And personally preferring switching and building track to building scenery, I would keep the distance between towns to about 2X my longest train.
Towns would be 3 each for standard and narrow gauge, with one being a combined transfer terminal between the 2 gauges - a total of 5 small towns.
just my thoughts and experiences
Fred W
....modeling foggy coastal Oregon, where it's always 1900....
Kinda hard for me to answer since my recently started 4x8 seems like an incredibly large amount of space to devote to a train layout. But, assuming I enjoy the layout as much as I think I will, I can imagine a few things. Around the wall/shelf layouts use space well but I don't like them as much. You are limited by how far you can reach and, with an island, you can reach from both sides. I prefer 4' wide. Otherwise, it would be like my current plan - lots of mountains, bridges, rivers, and different natural habitat/ecosystems - wetlands, forest, rolling hills, craggy peaks. Come to think about it, I would probably have several smaller size layouts. One in the Canadian Rockies, one in Pennsylvania, and another in Florida. Heck, maybe a red-rock southwest one too. Plenty of room for ops and switching, and plenty of long runs to just watch trains pass through some beautiful scenery.
Hi all
Well at 21'6" square avalable for a layout I am still wrestling with the monster space planning.
I don't need more layout space so if I had more room I would add a dividing barrier.
Then some comfy chairs, coffee table and very long book case with sliding mini book cases atatched and long 8' high storage cupboard for trains unbuilt kits etc.
if more layout space was avalable rather than resort to valium I would just increase distance between stations.
I am having enough problems planning a new double track mainline and branches layout to fit the space that is now avalable for me to use.
Even at that size things still have to carefully planned to avoid over crowding
I have got as far as "Yippie I can have 8 coach passanger trains".
Oh! for less space to play with.
regards John
not sure it's the amount of space but it's shape. A 15' x 15' bedroom is 225 sq ft and difficult because of all the corners.
A 6' x 37.5' is also 225 sq ft, but would allow a 2+' x 35' run and sufficient aisle space. It would avoid curves, allow several sidings and industries, a small yard, ... Of course it's pt-to-pt.
What makes an outstanding layout? Just think of unwinding various layout plans you see in books.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
My dream train room would go along with my dream house: a total of 4 40' hi-cube shipping containers. Two (LH side) would be the house. The other two (RH side) would be my monster railroad room. That particular plan would give me the opportunity to build my dream expansion for my layout. It would give me a "home" for my tourist railroad and those tracks also would have a small transfer-type railroad. (The track plan and the transfer railroad is influenced by the CMR [Central Montana Railroad] here in Montana, which for those of you who don't know, operates on ex-GN and CMStP&P rails. [Moccasin to Geraladine])
The issue is not space, the limiting issue is dollars. I have all of the space I could want (well, you know what I mean), but the dollars are the limiting factor.
But then, and fortunately, I am pretty satisfied with what I did build. So LION is happy. And it is good to keep your LION happy.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Have fun with your trains
I'd switch to 7 1/2" gauge. Sit on a comfortable flatcar behind a battery powered locomotive (with sound) and enjoy the scenery as I pass through it. Occasionally I'd stop to stretch my legs and switch some industries, but mostly kick back and enjoy the clickity-clack. :)
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
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