Why A 4' x 8' Sheet Of Plywood For A Layout?

[tstage]

Brent,

I don't know about Canada but here in the States 4 x 8 is VERY common and a standard for plywood sheeting.  I'm going to wager to guess that anything larger than 4 x 8 is more difficult to find other than at a lumber yard and might even be a special order item.  Since MR is based here in the States (WI) and 4 x 8 is the common standard, that's the reason they choose that size.  With that said, the recent MR layout is slightly larger (5') in width because the plan is more triangular in shape.

I would love a larger length and width for my layout.  However, a 4 x 8 is just the right size to fit at one end of my basement (perpendicular to the long wall) in order for me to have access on 3 sides.  That's why I've been toying with the idea of a partial around-the-wall redesign so that my curved radii can increase from R22" to R30-36".  That would give me the ability run not only my freight cars but also my passenger cars, as well.

Tom

[NittanyLion]

Pretty straightforward really: walk into anywhere that sells lumber in America, walk out with a 4x8 sheet of plywood and a few 2x4s that happen to be about eight feet long for a frame and some legs.

[BATMAN]

Out in my garage/workshop I have some sheets plywood. They measure 5' x 9' and 5' x 10' and my father in law has a couple of 6' x 12' sheets.  Ten years ago when my then 5 year old son made me haul the trains of my youth out of the farthest reaches of no-mans land known as the crawl space I set it up on the 5'x 10' sheet. It was "Treble O" scale  about the size of "N scale"  The 5' x 10' offered lots of breathing room for all I had.

Going forward to getting model railroader mags. and joining the forum I saw a 4'x 8' sheet was the prefered way to go for so many newbies.  Though I chose to jump to a room sized layout upon my return to the hobby, I couldn't help but wonder why those that choose a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood don't jump up to a larger sheet? Also has MR magazine ever done "Beginner layouts on a 5' x 10' or 6' x 12' sheet of plywood?  This would help with the issue's of small radius curves and not having quite enough room for that hill climb at a reasonable grade.

I bet all those that opted for the 4' x 8' sheet could have fit in a little larger size sheet of plywood. I have just not ever seen it suggested to someone going with a 4' x 8'.