I had started an 8 ft x 12' U shaped layout a couple of years ago, due to health concerns it more or less has the main tracks in place, a yard area with turntable and a future yard. A few years ago I bought a couple of the Rapido HO Canadian passenger sets. I still can not get over the amount of detail that was put into that model. In addition the quality of the sound effects is in my opionion excellent. I decided I should check to make sure the set was in fact in running condition so I carefully cleaned the main track which had not been used for years, I was surprised at how dirty it had become, but with some effort it was carefully cleaned and ready to run the train. I first ran one of the A units which at first ran a bit hesitant but after a few runs it was running great, added the other A unit and the unpowered B unit a few laps and started to add the passenger cars one by one. There are 10 cars and then the 3 engines in the set. It ran great, sounds great but it looks ridiculous. It over powers the layout, just way too much train for the size of the layout. I do not know what I was thinking when I decided to buy it.
I carefully repacked the train back into its display box, put it away in my closet where it will likely remain. I do have a smaller CPR Canadian passenger set, it is the Intermountain CPR version, plus a few (four) Walthers streamlined coaches, that set is a reasonable size for my layout, the Rapido is just overkill and not practical.
Hi don7,
I wish I had your problem!
Seriously, I don't know what to suggest other than building a much bigger layout, but somehow I don't think that is in your plans. I could suggest lowering your standards a bit but I doubt that you are willing to do that either.
Do you have any clubs in your area with large enough layouts to allow your trains to look realistic? That has been my solution. I had great plans for an HO empire in my garage, but unfortunately my back decided that just wasn't about to happen. I joined the Barrie Allandale Railway Modellers a little over three years ago and now I have access to a 20' x 25' layout (still under construction but almost all of the track is up and running) where I can run whatever I want. The layout has minimum 32" curves so the trains look good. In fact, I have enjoyed the club so much that I am now the President, just entering my second term.
Our club is very easy going. Not all clubs are that way. Perhaps you can find a club that suits you.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
don7 I had started an 8 ft x 12' U shaped layout a couple of years ago, due to health concerns it more or less has the main tracks in place, a yard area with turntable and a future yard. A few years ago I bought a couple of the Rapido HO Canadian passenger sets. There are 10 cars and then the 3 engines in the set. It ran great, sounds great but it looks ridiculous. It over powers the layout, just way too much train for the size of the layout. I do not know what I was thinking when I decided to buy it. I carefully repacked the train back into its display box, put it away in my closet where it will likely remain.
I had started an 8 ft x 12' U shaped layout a couple of years ago, due to health concerns it more or less has the main tracks in place, a yard area with turntable and a future yard.
A few years ago I bought a couple of the Rapido HO Canadian passenger sets. There are 10 cars and then the 3 engines in the set. It ran great, sounds great but it looks ridiculous. It over powers the layout, just way too much train for the size of the layout.
I do not know what I was thinking when I decided to buy it. I carefully repacked the train back into its display box, put it away in my closet where it will likely remain.
You told us that you bought a prize passenger train, only too discover that the layout is too small to display the train without it looking ridiculous.
What you haven't told us is whether your health concerns will prevent you from building a larger layout and whether you have the space to build a larger layout.
If you are healthy enough today to build a larger layout and if you have the space to build a larger layout, then do it.
Rich
Alton Junction
I tend to believe your situation is shared by others - me included.
My love of trains centers around two classic "streamliners" - Warbonnet led Santa Fes, and the orange/brown E unit led trains of the Illinois Central. I have a 7-8 car consist of each.
The layout is HO - 11x15 - and really too small to appreciate these trains. I knew this going into the build, and my solution was lower level staging. It is 6 track, with two of the "spurs" long enough for the streamliners.
So what I can do is select one of the two, run it up the long wraparound 2 percent grade until it hits the upper level. There I'll run it around each main (basically a large oval), maybe stop at the station, and then go back to the storage spur.
This is certainly not an ideal solution, but it does allow me to have the two trains ready to "show off" - even if its only for a run around the layout.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
One option is to switch to N scale. If you build the layout near eye level (either standing or sitting) it will look good and you can run long trains in the space you have.
Paul
This is a common problem! Let´s face it - most of the layouts are too small to run trains of prototypical length, other than the daily local, which may consits of a handful or two of cars. When it comes to passenger trains of transcontinental fame, well, unless you do have a large basment way beyond your 8 by 12 room ´, then they will look ridiculous in any case. There are only two answers to that problem - either build a much larger layout, or join a club with a layout of the size your train deserves.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
The last layout I built was 10x18' with 32-inch minimum curves and could handle 25 car freight trains. But when I ran trains that long, it felt small for running long trains on. Mainly sufficient rooms to stretch it's legs.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I've had locos "chasing cabooses" several times when I test out the pulling power of locos.......42 car freights on an 11x15 in HO is a sight!
RR_Mel I run my Daylight more then any other consist and really enjoy my hobby even though it’s not prototypical.
Rather than put your prized passenger train away, not to be seen.I would down size the consist and have it on the layout for you to enjoy. Maybe an A unit and 3-4 cars, or an A-B or A-A unit with the number of cars that looks appropriate for the layout size. Would be a shame not to run a train that you enjoy so much. Maybe put the unused cars in a yard to be visable on the layout.
I saw a layout design that was simply a U shape with 40 feet or so of single track and scenery. Behind the backdrop were several staging tracks. The whole point of the layout was to run beautiful passenger trains through gorgeous scenery. Would that interest you?
Disclaimer: This post may contain humor, sarcasm, and/or flatulence.
Michael Mornard
Bringing the North Woods to South Dakota!
Yep, 10 passenger cars and 3 locos is quite alot for a small layout. When I run my RI Rocket with 8 cars and ABA F units (not accurate, I know...) on my 5x9 it looks ridiculous to me but my kid loves it. I've only bought 4-5 cars for each of my Amtrak consists because any more just looks silly.
As for your Rapido wouldn't box it all up, I'd just run one loco and 5 cars or so. I think that would likely be fine on your layout. If you have a sufficient yard, having a few extra cars could also give you an excuse to do some switching as you modify your consists for different routes.
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