Trains.com

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!

How big (or small) is your layout?

5487 views
31 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: El Dorado Springs, MO
  • 1,519 posts
How big (or small) is your layout?
Posted by n2mopac on Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:07 PM
My first layout was definately small--N scale 4' X 4' to learn and gain experience. My new layout under construction falls in the large category--17' X 16' basement layout with a peninsula (100' main). What is yours?

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:29 PM
Mine will be a 46' x 38' double deck monster.



  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Elgin, IL
  • 3,677 posts
Posted by orsonroy on Thursday, September 30, 2004 12:46 PM
I consider my layout to be medium sized: 12x25 chunk of the basement filled with three levels of layout, featuring a 225' mainline. Basically everyone else in my NMRA division says I have a large layout.

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Whitby, ON
  • 2,594 posts
Posted by CP5415 on Thursday, September 30, 2004 1:06 PM
Still working on my 9X12 layout here with about 42' of mainline on a double loop similar to the Wisconsin Central in Kalmbachs 101 Plans book.. I do have room for a small expansion though, after I sweet talk the wife [:)] .

Hey Elliot, it's not big enough! [;)]

Gordon

Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!

 K1a - all the way

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 642 posts
Posted by RMax1 on Thursday, September 30, 2004 2:15 PM
Mine's 6 x 17.6 and maybe growing. I have a dogbone inside an oval with sidings and a small yard.

RMax
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Mexico
  • 2,629 posts
Posted by egmurphy on Thursday, September 30, 2004 2:29 PM
I'm working on one 3'x 6"-8" on a hollow core wood door (could you guess?). I'm spatially challenged. I'm also modeling ability challenged, but maybe I'll learn while working on this one!


Hey Ron, I'm surprised to see you posting a poll after your last thread. [:D] [%-)]


Am I the only one who thinks that Big_Boy_4005's basement looks a lot like Rex's garage?


Regards

Ed

The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Vermont
  • 540 posts
Posted by ondrek on Thursday, September 30, 2004 2:40 PM
money and space restrict my layout. 4'x6' HO to be built in the enclosed porch.
http://www.vermontel.net/~kevin_ondre/HO%20Train/SVT&CMRR.jpg

I have a decent size back yard, but the Gscale will be limited in size as well., 7'x16'

I dont have my scale drawing of the Gscale layout on the web yet, its designed, but not pubed. you guys probably dont care anyhow being MR forum not the GR.

Kevin
  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: California
  • 3,722 posts
Posted by AggroJones on Friday, October 1, 2004 5:17 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by orsonroy

I consider my layout to be medium sized: 12x25 chunk of the basement filled with three levels of layout, featuring a 225' mainline. Basically everyone else in my NMRA division says I have a large layout.


That sounds pretty darn large! Mine is overall 11 x 11 with 13 square feet of it in my closet.

"Being misunderstood is the fate of all true geniuses"

EXPERIMENTATION TO BRING INNOVATION

http://community.webshots.com/album/288541251nntnEK?start=588

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Southeast U.S.A.
  • 851 posts
Posted by rexhea on Friday, October 1, 2004 5:45 PM
My layout is 18x 22 with a through the wall extention of 18x 2.5 in adjoining garage. I may expand this later, but this is more than a hand full. I have a total available space of 24x40 in one shop and 18x40 in adjoining garage. Of course some has to be for work space, storing boat, junk, junk, and more junk.[:D]
Rex "Blue Creek & Warrior Railways" http://www.railimages.com/gallery/rexheacock
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Friday, October 1, 2004 6:08 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

Still working on my 9X12 layout here with about 42' of mainline on a double loop similar to the Wisconsin Central in Kalmbachs 101 Plans book.. I do have room for a small expansion though, after I sweet talk the wife [:)] .

Hey Elliot, it's not big enough! [;)]

Gordon


Gordon, I think my problem is that I need a small army to help build it. It would make a great club layout. There's enough construction and potential operation for 8 - 10 people. The only catch is that it's 3 rail O. Any takers?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 1, 2004 6:30 PM
Mine is along the garage walls single deck. Its 200 square feet has 2.8 scale miles of mainline. Takes a steam engine at 35-40 mph to cover the entire mainline about 15 minutes. Its the biggest one I have built so far. Working out the kinks on the mainline now.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Friday, October 1, 2004 7:37 PM
Mine is currently small (two six-foot long shelf layouts) but the eventual plan is to spread out layout shelves along three walls of a small garage--8x18 feet. Which would make it about "medium" by this poll's criteria, with about 30-40 feet of actual layout surface area--not much bigger than a 4x8, but with a lot more operating potential.
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, October 1, 2004 7:43 PM
Currently I am constructing an 8x12' HO layout. This one is mainly to test construction techniques and practice for the 'big one'.
I have an aproximately 26x50 ' L-shaped space in the basement (each leg is 12' wide) for which I am planning an around the walls double-decked layout composed of the Reading East Penn Branch and other generic Northeast elements like CNJ/PRR/NewHaven.

I am keeping a log of my plannign and progress at http://www.readingeastpenn.com


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: US
  • 665 posts
Posted by darth9x9 on Friday, October 1, 2004 8:12 PM
SUPERSIZE ME! The wife and I finished building a lid for my basement last fall. 3000 sq ft and no poles. It will be multi-decked. We have plans for two more additions........

Bill Carl (modeling Chessie and predecessors from 1973-1983)
Member of Four County Society of Model Engineers
NCE DCC Master
Visit the FCSME at www.FCSME.org
Modular railroading at its best!
If it has an X in it, it sucks! And yes, I just had my modeler's license renewed last week!

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, October 1, 2004 8:56 PM
Mine is 11 x 18. I don't consider this large. But then I guess most of us feel that if we just had a "leetle bit more room..."[;)][;)]
Enjoy
Paul
If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 1, 2004 10:06 PM
16' x 16' with a small "L"
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Carmichael, CA
  • 8,055 posts
Posted by twhite on Friday, October 1, 2004 10:24 PM
I said 'large' because it's a 24x24 garage layout with 3 levels (no helixes) and only one operator. I've still got to expand it, because I desperately need a holding yard for all of my freight equipment. As soon as the main layout's finished (HAH!), that's my next project.
  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: Edmonton, Canada
  • 100 posts
Posted by gpharo on Friday, October 1, 2004 10:34 PM
Medium size, a 11' by 9' U shape layout.
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Holly, MI
  • 1,269 posts
Posted by ClinchValleySD40 on Monday, October 4, 2004 1:04 PM
It's 60' x 30'. Two, three and four decks. Hopefully starting operations around Thanksgiving time.
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Corpus Christi, Texas
  • 2,377 posts
Posted by leighant on Monday, October 4, 2004 2:33 PM
One of my layouts is 2 x 3 feet.

With a background to make it slightly bigger.

My big layout takes up no space at all except in my dreams.




  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Portland, OR
  • 3,119 posts
Posted by jfugate on Monday, October 4, 2004 3:56 PM
My HO Siskiyou Line is in a 20 x 50 foot basement that narrows down in the middle, leaving me about 810 sq ft for layout.. In the space I have built a multi-deck mushroomed design, giving me an 1100 sq ft equivalent design.

Not what I would call supersize, but still a large layout.

Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 4, 2004 4:20 PM
Mine will start as a shelf , but will wrap around my bedroon on some small, connected dioramas.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Out on the Briny Ocean Tossed
  • 4,240 posts
Posted by Fergmiester on Monday, October 4, 2004 4:34 PM
24' x 10' and getting bigger (If only the Basement wasn't so small!)

Hey Elliot! Are you going to fini***hat Puppy? Or are you going to need a hand? or two, or three......

That's huge!!!

OBTW I saw a 3 rail CP 4-6-4 the other day, Looked interesting

Regards
Fergie

http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5959

If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007  

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 4, 2004 4:41 PM
8x16, mainline over fifty foot and about to be under construction
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 4, 2004 10:23 PM
The size of a small bedroom.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Thursday, November 4, 2004 10:49 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

24' x 10' and getting bigger (If only the Basement wasn't so small!)

Hey Elliot! Are you going to fini***hat Puppy? Or are you going to need a hand? or two, or three......

That's huge!!!

OBTW I saw a 3 rail CP 4-6-4 the other day, Looked interesting

Regards
Fergie


I think I'm going to need a number of hands along with a swift kick in the butt.[swg]
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Christchurch New Zealand
  • 1,525 posts
Posted by NZRMac on Thursday, November 4, 2004 11:25 PM
This is mine, HO 16' x 8' in a M shape (or E or W !!) the middle section is just being redone, removing the reverse loop, no room for yards, yards are more important I think.



It's 46" off the floor the highest part at the top of drawing is 54" off the floor.

Ken
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 5, 2004 2:20 AM
Mine is 6' x 11' with an area in the center for the operator aprox 2' wide by 4' then an extension into the closet of 3'x3'. total of about 24 sq ft. Its all i can squeeze in the room. In the future I hope to go double deck. My prior layout was in an attic 10'x20' now that was fun.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 5, 2004 3:35 PM
My CP Rail prairie division is 8' x 12' and i have access to the other side of the 12' long wall, but the mainline is around 60' long!!! not bad for a bedroom!!
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: SE Nebraska
  • 249 posts
Posted by camarokid on Saturday, November 6, 2004 9:37 PM
24' x 16' and getting out of hand.
Ain't it great!!!

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!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!