Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
This is a fascinating topic to me, because I'm planning my first layout since I was a kid. As a kid, my Dad and I started 3 4 x 8 HO layouts, and I started one N scale 2 x 4 layout. What they lack in interest, they make up for in simplicity. Not just simplicity of construction (which isn't a big deal to me - I love going hog-wild with the table saw), but also in simplicity of handling. I think shelf and non-4x8 style layouts require more dedication to the hobby. For example, with a 4 x 8, your garage "workspace" could be turned into your "model railroad space". If you have to build a bookshelf that your wife asks you to build, you say, "no problem - it will take me 5 minutes to shove this 4 x 8 layout outside...", etc. Or, say you need to lube up your mountain bike - no problem, give the 4 x 8 a shove out the garage door, and you're all over the bike. 4 x 8's, being one solid "unit", are very easily movable. Although the solid piece may be more "bulky" than a modular shelf layout, shoving it from here to there in the garage is much easier. I'm sort of prejudiced in that I look at 4 x 8 layouts and think "unsophisticated", etc. But I wish I didn't think that way. Because they are practical as heck. Maybe I've just read one too many Tony Koester articles, so I have a bias against them. I will most likely build a 2 x 8 foot shelf layout, with anunscenicked return loop, because then I'll have the "look" and ease of reach, etc. that a shelf layout has, but then my unscecking return loop (one oval that goes around my back as I operate) will have the "shove it around-ability" that a 4 x 8 has. As for cuyama's pics above - I think it's obvious which is more fun to operate. But I'll ask you this: which is more practical if your mother in law needs to stay at your house for 6 months? (with all due respect, I love Cuyama's website, his designs, etc.). I really think the difference between a 4 x 8 and a non-4x8 is in the amount of dedication you must have to the hobby, in terms of your living space, and carpentry. (I love the carpentry aspect, it's the living space aspect I wrestle with). For some background, I get 1/2 of the garage to use "as I please". My wife gets the other half, which she uses to park the "family car" i.e., the nicer vehicle (my pickup gets the driveway). So I have about a 10 x 20ft space in the garage. My drums are often set up in there, and I always want to have the space to do that. I also don't want to duck under a train track to get to the drums, or to set them up / tear them down, etc. So this leaves me with about 10 x 12 for model railroad space, as well as workbench, table saw, shop vac, yadda yadda yadda.... I'm contemplating a 4 x 8 in the "shop" area. It could nicely divide the "shop" area from the "non-shop" area. (keep in mind I've been anti- 4 x 8 since about high school - the last time I had a layout). But man, they're practical in so many ways! (EDIT: If I ever were to build a 4 x 8, I would definately have a "backdrop divider" down the center of the layout, or more towards one side, with the other side used for staging, or a scenicked yard). And another thing, does anyone remember pictures of Aggrojones old layout? I think it was a 4 x 8, or something similar, and it was georgeous!
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community