another staging question

[Anonymous]

I have a 4x8 track plan and 4x6 track plan in consideration for my layout and I am wondering which one I should do.Here is the 4x8 www.gatewaynmra.org/mhslayout/mhs-aerial.jpg here is the 4x6 www.gatewaynmra.org/layouts/gc10/gc10previes.jpg
The 4x8 would offer more in the way of detail, sencery, train running room, and switching ,however the only staging opertunity would be a drop-leaf fiddle yard that would acctuly be a bit aof a hinderance as it would limmit train length. the 4x6 would be smaller but if placed aginst the wall , could have a small staging shelf coming of the upper right corner by the station. ( the 4x8's staging would come off the lower righ-hand corner ) the problem with putting the 4x6 next to the wall would be that it would be harder to view one side of it. could the 4x8 do without staging ? the 4x8 is my first joice but if operation would suffer to much I will do the 4x6. any input is appreciated !

[Anonymous]

Your second link does not work properly. If you are going for Gateway Central X, this is the link: http://www.gatewaynmra.org/layouts/gc10/gc10preview.jpg

Anyway, I think they are about the same in terms of switching, although I do prefer the 4x8 for the same reasons you list. Regardless of which one you choose though - 4 feet is too far to reach to the back. If at all possible, avoid putting the long edge of either one against a wall.

I have a suggestion for the 4x8, but it would also work with the 4x6 with some adaptation.

Put the right side (as you see it in the aerial photo) against the wall, with the length sticking out into the room. Attache a staging area to both tracks that come off the layout on the bottom right corner. Run the staging along the wall. That way a) you can get around three sides of the layout, and your maximum reach is 2 feet, and b) you can run trains in either direction if you put a cross-over or turnout just before the staging meets the layout (I.e. connect your "yard" to both tracks at the lower right corner).

I hope that makes sense, and is somewhat helpful.

Andrew

[Anonymous]

Hmm...what's the room look like? you could expand that 4x8 into an around the room system, thus allowing you to have a staging yard on one wall, and operations on the other 3 walls. the center then could be used, if there's room to put either another staging yard or an engine repair facility.

when all else fails think outside the limits of a sheet of plywood.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Well the room is 10x14 but it must share space with my bed (3x6) my desk (1.5x3 ) an have enough room to walk ! I will see how I can work an aragngement with the 4x8

[Anonymous]

If you like the switching aspect of the layouts, why not make a shelf layout along one wall? 2x14 gives you almost as much real estate as 4x8, but it can go on the wall, above your bed, desk or whatever. You might find that if you put it at 60" (5 feet) above the floor, it does not interfere with other things, and it looks better at eye level too!

Andrew

[Eriediamond]

Why a staging yard at all? Just my personal opinion here, but the train length limitation on a 4x8 layout would lead me toward running short trains with the maximum number of industries for switching. Wouldn't be that much of a job to hand place the rolling stock on the layout vs the space you would loose for a staging yard. Just an opinion, to each his own.

[Anonymous]

I think I will build the St. louis Central without staging. If this will hurt operaton to much, now is the time to stop me because i have another 4.5x5 plan with staging lined up if staging is a must ! Thanks for your input !