Thoughts on a 12x24 HO layout

[cowman]

There are a number of possibilities in the Track Plan Database under 100-300 sq ft layouts (I just left it at "all types")

I had a similar space to yours available, until a son moved home and was looking at Oakland, Antioch & Eastern Ry, which is an around the room with a peninsula.  Though that particular plan has a through track at the base of the peninsula, you could modify the plan to eliminate it and be able to follow all trains without having to run around to catch up with it.

My entrance gate was to be a tip up along one side.  My entrance would have been more centered than yours, but I don't see that as much of a problem.My basoc benchwork was to be 2' wide 2" foam, narrowed slightly around where the blob was, if necessary.

Have fun,

Richard

[RR_Mel]

I’m old and prefer sitting in my comfortable roll around chair to operate and work on my layout so the more roll around room the better for me.

 

I have a sack full of grand and great grand kids and I wouldn’t be afraid of using a hinge up section or bridge at the doorway, just make it sturdy enough to accept something from easily dinging it (like clumsy Mel walking in to it).

 

I had a hinge up section (single track 8” wide) also with the door opening out several layouts back and never had a single problem with it.  If you do go with a bridge or lift out make sure you interlock the lead tracks to the drop point, it’s easy to think I’ll put it in place later then forget and the 3’ or so drop to the floor isn’t easy on your locomotives.

 

You could easily go with a wider lift up with more tracks too.  Just sitting here thinking about it a 3’ wide lift up with a dozen tracks sounds like a neat project to me.

 

With only the shelf layout and deep shelving you can easily go with 30” or larger radius.

 

 

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[riogrande5761]

No question, option 2 with the pennisula.  A five foot blob at the end of the penninsula would allow a minimum radius of 28 inches, which should be totally fine for 4 axle diesels and mostly 50 and 60' cars.  You could hanld longer rolling stock with that 28 inch minimum radius too.

I would recommend using bigger turnouts, even if #5 minimum in most place.  If you are mostly lone wolf, the narrow aisle would be ok.

[IDRick]

I have a potential future option for a HO layout in a room that is 12 ft by 24 ft.  It has an entry door (opens out) 12 feet from the end (on long side of rectangle) and no other obstructions along the walls or floor.  I’m interested in a switching layout (primarily lone wolf operation) that has the option of continuous running and visible staging.  I also want to follow my trains around the layout with no hidden tracks or distracting walks around a peninsula to regain view of the train.  The layout time frame would 1980’s or 90’s with four axle diesels and 50 to 60-foot rail cars.  I have twenty number 4 atlas turnouts and plan to use those in the new layout. 

 

To meet my needs, there are two viable options.  The first is a simple around the walls layout with a lift-out bridge at the entry door.   This approach gives me the option of varying layout width and ability to put a work desk under the layout.  The second approach is the same as option 1 plus adding an 18 ft peninsula with a 5 ft blob at the end to allow continuous running along both sides of the peninsula.  This option gives more running distance, more room for scenery, and more options for locating industry for switching.  It does have the disadvantage of limited width benchwork (1 to 2 feet) and narrow aisles (max of 3 feet). 

 

Given these options, would you prefer layout option 1 or 2?  Would you install a lift-out or a swing bridge at the entry door?  I don’t like the option of a lift up or drop-down bridge with young grandkids in the area.