Street Rail Way

[Anonymous]

Hello every one. I am trying to burst out of my 4X8 lay out I have now in HO, and all I really have room for in my parents basement is a shelf type area not more than say 18 to 24 inches wide. For maximum room I am thinking of building a street car line on that shelf. Any one else hear ever build a street car line, and can any one give any advice as to a track plan etc, or am I off my rocker and should dedicate the room to a switching area.

[Anonymous]

Hello every one. I am trying to burst out of my 4X8 lay out I have now in HO, and all I really have room for in my parents basement is a shelf type area not more than say 18 to 24 inches wide. For maximum room I am thinking of building a street car line on that shelf. Any one else hear ever build a street car line, and can any one give any advice as to a track plan etc, or am I off my rocker and should dedicate the room to a switching area.

[IRONROOSTER]

An HO streetcar or interurban line is certainly feasible in 18 - 24" of depth. You don't say how long the shelf will be or whether it goes around the room - along one wall, etc, but even a short shelf of 4 feet will allow something. For track plans check out some of Kalmbach's books. If it is still in print they have one on traction modeling. Back issues occasionally have traction articles.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

An HO streetcar or interurban line is certainly feasible in 18 - 24" of depth. You don't say how long the shelf will be or whether it goes around the room - along one wall, etc, but even a short shelf of 4 feet will allow something. For track plans check out some of Kalmbach's books. If it is still in print they have one on traction modeling. Back issues occasionally have traction articles.
Enjoy
Paul

[leighant]

Here's an offbeat idea....a steam dummy line. One used to run right by the house where I grew up- only it was 50 years before I was born. A steam dummy looks like a trolley car but it is powered by a small steam engine hidden under the carbody. The steam dummy line would have a sharp curves, etc of a trolley line, but NO TROLLEY WIRE or CATENARY to string.

[leighant]

Here's an offbeat idea....a steam dummy line. One used to run right by the house where I grew up- only it was 50 years before I was born. A steam dummy looks like a trolley car but it is powered by a small steam engine hidden under the carbody. The steam dummy line would have a sharp curves, etc of a trolley line, but NO TROLLEY WIRE or CATENARY to string.

[Wdlgln005]

Check out the TTrak idea that Ntrak has started. The modules are 12" square and based on sections of Kato Unitrak. The plastic rail clips hold the modules & the track together without using clamps or requiring separate electrical connections under the layout to bring juice up to the rail. Fill the street with lots of commercial structures and an industry or two that gets a boxcar or two. HO scale should have a better selection of PCC and trolley cars up to subway carsets.

[Wdlgln005]

Check out the TTrak idea that Ntrak has started. The modules are 12" square and based on sections of Kato Unitrak. The plastic rail clips hold the modules & the track together without using clamps or requiring separate electrical connections under the layout to bring juice up to the rail. Fill the street with lots of commercial structures and an industry or two that gets a boxcar or two. HO scale should have a better selection of PCC and trolley cars up to subway carsets.