Small Layout ideas

[Anonymous]

Any one know of any layouts (I have HO equipment now but am ammenable to a switch to N scale)that will fit in a 4 feet by 2 feet area and will have some interesting operation? -Alex

[Anonymous]

I was in HO for years, but now have a smaller house and got tired of putting it up for a few days and taking it down. I switched to N scale after reading an article in the Sept. 2001 issue of Model RailRoader ( N Scale in a coffee Table ) a 2' x 4' layout that inspired me. I modified the track plan and expanded it to 4' 3" because I wanted to run 2 sets of trains at the same time, and I changed the theme,I have a small town, a cattle and horse ranch a pinto size little league ball field and since I run steam and diesel I time framed it late 1940's early 1950's when both ran. I've been to several train shows and seen many nice layouts in this size range. I have a small woodworking shop in my garage so build the coffee table was no problem It came out very good and it's allowed in the den if you know what I mean. Good luck with your project and I hope you find a layout that you like
You can pack the same amount in a 2x4 N as you can a 4x8 HO.
Beeline

[Anonymous]

It is true that most HO layouts will fit on a 2' X 4' space when scaled down to 'N'. However if you can go out to 30" X 53" you be a lot happier. That way you can copy an HO plan and normally keep a 10" or 11" minimum radii. If you downsize an HO to N using 1/2 size or 50% an 18" radius then becomes 9" radius in N scale. That's pretty tight unless you plan not to run anything bigger than small Diesels and Steam Switchers along with 36' or 40' cars. Another thing to watch out for is that a lot of HO track plans use "Snap Switches" which are even sharper than a No. 4 switch. Most N scale switches/turnouts are a N0. 6 or 5 which will change the geometry of the HO plan you are down sizing. Using an HO plan for a 30" X 53" N scale is a very doable thing and there are hundreds of HO plans that you can choose from and get some nice scenery combined with some interesting operation. That's my opinion....let's see what others have to say.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered John Allen's "Timesaver" module? It's a neat little HO switching "layout," designed for operations. I've seen a couple of very nice modules, complete with scenery, structures, and lots of details ("clutter") based on the Timesaver.

[Anonymous]

Alexander I came across this site today several 2x4 N scale layout plans and smaller. www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm reply if you access it.
Beeline

[Anonymous]

An example of one such "operating module" can be found at

www.bcsj.org/rr/timesaver

[Anonymous]

There are several N scale layouts in the HO & N section at www.thortrains.net that will fit an area 40 inches by 32 inches - many can be narrowed. Also lots of free downloadable scenery stuff