I know its a large varied hobby with a wide variety of hobbiests and opinions, but I was just curious about some averages. Obviously not much of a scentific poll, and you may not want to give out information, but I would like to ask a few questions if anybody would like to answer any or all of them to kinda get an idea of the current diversity of the hobby.
1)What scale do you model
2)How large in sq ft is your layout?3)How long in feet is your mainline?
4)Do you run a single track main or more?
5)Roughly what era do you model?
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos?
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running?
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run?
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc.
1) Scale is HO. I have some N in a box and try to include N scale modeling in my weathering clinics. I also have a bit of O but again just equipment not layout.
2) Not done yet but I use 2x4' domino segments so 8 sq. ft x 20 = 160 sq ft.
3) About 80 feet of mainline but there is more to come and the distinction between where mainline stops and staging yards begin is open to judgment
4) Double track mainline, 2" centers uniformly from tangent to curve.
5) Era is 1967 to 1969 but I am flexible by a year either direction. The more I know about the prototype the more compromises I want to make to run favorite trains and equipment. Then the compromises make me angry. Ask me again in a couple of years.
6) Not sure I want to know how big my rolling stock and loco collection is. Certainly hundreds of freight cars in running condition, many dozens unbuilt kits. Passenger cars maybe two dozen with another dozen junkers. Less than 20 locos appropriate to railroad and era, but perhaps 50 beyond that and another two dozen in bits and pieces that will never turn a wheel again.
I need to hold a rummage sale ....
7) Scale speed. Not sure I'm a good judge. On the slower side is my preference. My prototype ran 80+ mph passenger trains into the 1960s but that would zip through my 80 foot main too quickly.
8) Mainline minimum radius is 38" although I wanted 40." So double track cuves are 38" and 40" or 40" and 42". So the "average" is probably somewhere around 41" although there is no 41" curve on the layout I suspet. For some sidings I go all the way down to about 20". Longest cars are some 89' flats and auto racks and 80+ ft passenger cars.
9) The layout is around two walls as a J shape then into the room as a long straight line. So I'd say around the walls but much of it is not against any wall ...
Dave Nelson
1. I model in HO since the early 60s. I'm 72. Before that, I modeled Lionel O guage.
2. I have about a hundred square feet.
3. My main line is about 60 or so feet long. It has a pair of long passing sidings.
4. I run single track on my main line.
5. Mostly I model late Transition Era, but sometimes I go back to the thirties.
6. I have about 20 engines and about 150 cars.
7. I run slow to medium, seldom fast.
8. I run 18 inch curves most, for space reasons.
9. I have a couple of big islands.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
1)What scale do you model: HO scale
2)How large in sq ft is your layout: Zero, but I have a 250 square foot room being built for one.3)How long in feet is your mainline: Planned for 60 foot loop.
4)Do you run a single track main or more: Double track visible, only one track actually operational as a layout element.
5)Roughly what era do you model: Roughly Tuesday, August 3rd, 1954 at 2:00 in the afternoon.
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos: 40 locomotives, 175 freight cars, 20 passenger cars.
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running: Slow.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? Visible mainline: 36 inches. Hidden and Branch Line: 24 inches. Full length passenger cars.
9)What type of layout do you have? Two continuous running loops with a switching branch. DEsigned for solo operation.
.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I just realized I didn't add my own info to the poll.
1)What scale do you model: HO scale. Restarted the hobby after a 25 year absence about 3 years ago and moved to HO from N.
2)How large in sq ft is your layout: Approximately 130sqft of layout in a roughly 14x14 room with two staging yards outside the main layout room3)How long in feet is your mainline: Approx 65ft
4)Do you run a single track main or more: Single track with two passing sidings on either side of the room
5)Roughly what era do you model: Roughly 1971 give or take 3 years. I am trying to narrow that down, but its really hard to decide which items I prefer more....
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos: About 25 locomotives, 150 cars
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running: freights most often about 20-35 and passenger about 45. Layout max speed limits 35 freight and 45 passenger.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? All are 24 radius except one single 22 lead into an industry and one large curve at 26. I run 89' passengers, tofc, 86' boxcars, and autoracks, although I keep them to a minimum in the fleet and they require tweaking to run smoothly and successfully on the 24" curves.
9)What type of layout do you have? Around the walls with a center island. Point to Point with staging yards on opposite ends. Primary activity is switching but with the ability to run a continous loops if desired.
1. Primarily S (scale not hirail). I still have HO and O from when I was in those scales, but S has been it for the last 26 years.
2. Size us 468 sq ft. That does not count exterior aisles on 2 sides. Benchwork is about 40% complete.
3. Mainline will be about 200 ft.
4. Single track with passing sidings.
5. Era is early 50's.
6. In S scale I have about 225 cars of which about 100 are kits. I have 9 rtr locomotives and 6 kits.
7. I generally operate at slow speeds, but don't actually measure how fast.
8. Minimum radius will be 27" for 2 180 degree curves, otherwise 30". Longest car will be 56' open platform passenger car.
9. Layout is located in a 17'x44' room with 8' open at one end and 4' open on one side. The other long side is against the wall. The other short side is partially open. The layout is an in/out spiral walkaround. It is a shortline based on the Maryland and Pennsylvania RR. It includes the terminals at both ends and 4 towns in between. It will have both passenger and freight trains. As a shortline it will switch along the line - no through freights.
At 72, I expect this to be my last layout. But then I said that about the one before. I have been in this house about a year and a half, but only working on the new layout off and on for 6 months. I hope to start laying track in the next couple of months as well as finish the benchwork.
Paul
1) I Model in HO and N. N is what I currently have with HO being in storage for now.
2) My layout is sectional track in folding tables for now, each table is 3’ by 3’, So with two tables that’s 18 square feet. I have a 4‘ by 8’ board with some more wood that will become a more permanent 32 square foot layout soon (whatever that means...)
3) About 6’ or 7’ at the moment, will likely add more eventually...
4) Single track! I would never do a double track “racetrack”!
5) I model late 60s, just before the BN merger.
6) HO; 2 locomotives and about 5 or 6 cars, N; 1 loco with 4 cars.
7) No idea, but slow! Usually under 50% on DC and below 25ish% on DCC.
8) 15” for N scale. Longest cars are 50 scale feet but my U28C is a longer locomotive.
9) Island running for now in N scale, but next layout will be a HO switching layout on the walls.
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
1) HO
2) layout size 45 square ft
3) mainline run 21 feet
4) Single mainline
5) Early 90's era
6) I have about 35 freight cars and seven locomotives. I switch between running big green BN and big blue CR to change things up a bit.
7) Slow speed
8) Minimum curve radius is 24 inches and the largest is 27 inches. The longest freight car is 60 feet.
9) A 5x9 island. We're moving in two years and I plan to build a new around-the-walls layout at that time.
1)What scale do you model?
N Scale. I have one layout operational and one under construction.
2)How large in sq ft is your layout?
Operational layout is 32 sq. ft. (4 x 8).Under construction will be around 120 sq. ft.
3)How long in feet is your mainline?24'The under construction mainline will be around 68'.
4)Do you run a single track main or more?Operational railroad is single track with passing sidings.Under construction will be double track with a separate single track branch.
5)Roughly what era do you model?1950s-60s Eastern Pennsylvania
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos?Around 15 locomotives, 10 passenger cars, 50 freight cars, 10 cabeese.
Medium speed running.
On the operational 9" radius, Mostly 40' boxcars, reefers, coal hoppers, tankers, and 50' trailer on flat cars and 65' shorty passenger cars.Under construction main line is 19" and mine spur will be 9". Mostly 50' freight cars and 80' passenger cars.
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc. Operational railroad is a 4 x 8 against one wall. Under construction is around two walls. Both are primarily intended for running.(Plus, as a bonus, my grandson has his Lionel Polar Express set up on a separate 4 x 8 table in the train room.)
restorator I know its a large varied hobby with a wide variety of hobbiests and opinions, but I was just curious about some averages. Obviously not much of a scentific poll, and you may not want to give out information, but I would like to ask a few questions if anybody would like to answer any or all of them to kinda get an idea of the current diversity of the hobby. 1)What scale do you model 2)How large in sq ft is your layout?3)How long in feet is your mainline? 4)Do you run a single track main or more? 5)Roughly what era do you model? 6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? 7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? 8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? 9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc.
1. I started with 027 Lionel long time ago. Converted HO in high school. Still with HO. N had not been invented back then. And building HO rolling stock is more fun than building N rolling stock.
2. Layout is in a 11 by 14 foot downstairs guest room. Room is still usable for grand children.
3. Main line is a loop. Fifty real feet around. Which is 0.82 HO miles.
4. I have a single track mainline with two long passing sidings.
5. Lets call it the 1950's for era. I like steam locomotives and they only lasted until 1957.
6. I have far more rolling stock than I need. I like building models and so my fleet has grown to better than 200 cars and 30 locomotives. Far more than I need. Each one was enjoyable to build. I still run models I built back in the 1960s.
7. I still run DC. A speed that appears reasonable to me is about 3/4 throttle. I haven't bothered to time the trains and compute scale miles per hour.
8. Minimum radius (also the average radius) is 22 inches. Everything works except my 85' IHC streamliner passenger cars.
9. Layout is around the walls, no peninsulas. I had to keep the room usable as a guest room, hence no penisulas. Primarily running. On a couple of walls the layout is only 6 inches wide. There are liftout sections across the room entrance door and the door to the bathroom. I lift the liftouts out when I have guests staying in the downstairs guest room.
mobilman44 Have to ask.........why does the OP care about this, and what will the information lead him to do - or not do? Whatever.......seems some very respected folks have replied to this request, so I guess its ok. But I would add a few questions to get a more comprehensive overview.... - How old is the owner? - Who designed the layout? - Who built the layout? - How many layouts has the owner had/built? - If you did it over, would you change scales or anything else of significance? - Do you consider yourself a layout builder or operator?
Have to ask.........why does the OP care about this, and what will the information lead him to do - or not do?
Whatever.......seems some very respected folks have replied to this request, so I guess its ok.
But I would add a few questions to get a more comprehensive overview....
- How old is the owner?
- Who designed the layout?
- Who built the layout?
- How many layouts has the owner had/built?
- If you did it over, would you change scales or anything else of significance?
- Do you consider yourself a layout builder or operator?
I am old enough to be retired. My health has held up well enough to do model railroading.
I designed my layout. Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong was invaluable help.
I also built the whole thing my self , benchwork trackwork, electrics, rolling stock, scenery.
This is the third layout I have built in my own house. I have worked on three different club layouts over the years.
If I was to do it over again I would go for broader mainline curves, 24 or even 30 inches so passenger cars would have less trouble. As it is, I went with 22 inch mainline curves. The Athearn cars have no trouble but the longer cars, IHC in particular still derail from time to time despite a good deal of work on them.
I am neither much of an operator nor an enthusiastic layout builder. I like building models, rolling stock and structures. I build the layout to give me somewhere to run the completed models.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
list is as follows-
1- HO and S scale, (mostly HO)
2- i don't know but the layout takes up half my basement
3- main line is 4.5 or 5 ft long
4- 2 main lines
5- working on a mid-1940's to early 1950's era PRR horseshoe curve scene
6- 22 steam engines, 7 diesels, almost all BLI
7- around 50-75 MPH scale speeds, 50 for freight and about 75 for mainlines
8- some around the wall things at the moment
Ok, here goes:
1) HO scale, at present I don't even own one piece of equipment in a different scale.......
2) Just moved, planning a new layout similar to the previous one. The new layout will fill about 1500 square feet in my basement.
3) The visable part of the mainline will be about 300 feet or about 5 scale miles. Then there will be about 150 of hidden mainline to reach hidden staging for about 30 trains.
4) Double track, plus several single track branch and belt line extensions.
5) September 1954
6) Well the layout is designed for freight trains in the 35 to 50 car range, and passenger trains in the 12 to 15 car range. And again it will stage about 30 trains. Most freight trains are powered by double headed steam or 3-4 unit diesel lashups.
So, at present I have about 140 powered units which counts B units separately, and counts self propelled passenger equipment like RDC's and doodlebugs.
I have about 900 freight cars, about 300 of them still need to be built or refitted to be layout ready.
I have about 200 passenger cars.
7) Mainline freight speeds, between 20 and 50 mph, passenger speeds, 40 to 80 smph.
8) Minimum mainline radius 38", most mainline curves more like 42", some even larger for cosmetic effect. Easements on all curves.
9) Around the room with peninsulas, deep scenes, typically 3-4 feet deep, with most all visible trackage in the front 2 feet. Mainline operations and separate belt lines and branch lines for industrial/switching operations. Like two separate layouts in one, bigtime mainline/display running and an ISL tucked inside it.
Some other facts of potential interest.
Type of control system - DC advanced cab control with CTC, detection, signaling, radio wireless throttles, and ATC.
No onboard sound, considering some layout based sound ideas.
Maximum grade - 2%
Railroad/region modeled - Mid Atlantic Piedmont platue, fictional ATLANTIC CENTRAL, B&O, C&O, WESTERN MARYLAND.
Planning to begin construction before fall.
Sheldon
1)What scale do you model. HO. Always have since age 12
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? Under construction. 2 foot deep shelves in a U shape about 18 x 25 x 12, whatever that is in square feet.3)How long in feet is your mainline? See above. Looks like about 55 feet.
4)Do you run a single track main or more? Single
5)Roughly what era do you model? Depending upon equipment, either 1994 or 2014. Might run a few trains circa 1961 as time allows.
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? About 50 locos and 100 cars. 20 DCC/Sound locos, 30 DC. All modern era. I'll need more equipment if the 1961 urge gets strong enough.
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? Always less than 25mph.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? The two big curves of the U are 34 inch and 44 inch radius. A few cars are 85 feet long, but the vast majority are 60 feet long or less.
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc. Around the walls switching with some main line running in the 55 linear feet. Shelves are 2 feet deep.
- Douglas
restorator1)What scale do you model
HO scale, started in 1956.
restorator2)How large in sq ft is your layout?
The layout room is about 560 sq. ft., while the area of the layout is about 500 sq. ft. While those figures appear to belie the fact, aisle area is about 195 sq. ft., since the layout is partially doubledecked. Aisles are mostly generous, with only one narrow-ish spot, which I can readily navigate without any contortions
restorator3)How long in feet is your mainline?
About 275', not counting the staging yards.
restorator4)Do you run a single track main or more?
Single track with passing sidings in most towns.
restorator5)Roughly what era do you model?
Late '30s
restorator6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos?
15 steam locomotives in-service, with 9 more awaiting major cosmetic surgery, and one to be mostly scratchbuilt, all of the latter to match specific prototypes.
Freight cars, about 400-or-so, along with a couple dozen pieces of MoW equipment.
There are about 50 passenger cars, but that includes baggage and express cars, too.
Operation is strictly DC, using a Stapleton walk-around pwm throttle, powered by an MRC ControlMaster 20. Only one train is in operation at any time, but it may have multiple locomotives. I am the sole operator.
restorator7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running?
About 40mph or less. The are a lot of severe grades (up to 2.8%) which tend to limit uphill speeds, even with doubleheaded locomotives, and/or pushers. Lower speeds tend to make the track layout appear longer, and most trains are required to "work" the towns through which they pass.A train moving from one staging yard, along the main line, to another, might take hours, but could also take days if I have other stuff to do.
restorator8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run?
Minimum radius is 30", but most are 34", with a couple in the 48" range. The longest cars are 80' passenger cars
restorator9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc.
Wayne
Scale: HO
Sq ft: Approx 74.25 sq ft
Mainline run: no where near finised but if you count the totals of the lengths of both my future mainline trackage, at least 36 ft for the basic run.
Era: modern
Collection size: 6 dcc or dcc sound locos and at least 50 cars of varying eras.
Scale speed: Slow and realistic. Faster for mainline running than for yard ops.
Minimum mainline radius: 28" (there will be some smaller radii for hiddin trackage, yards, sidings, etc).
Layout type: a couple of different kinds, but mostly around the wall continious run.
I have an idea. There is a lot of clear, simple information here that could be compiled into graphs, just for funsies. If that is of interest, I'll compile everyone's information into graphs and post them here.
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
I don't currently have a layout, but 5 years ago I did:1). HO2). ~1000sq.ft.3). 200'4). Double Track5). 1900-19686). 150 locos, 350 freight cars, 100 passenger cars7). Passenger trains: 80mph. Freight trains: 45mph. Switchers: 10mph.8). 30" min. radius (#6 min. switch). 85' TOFC and passenger cars.9). It was around the walls with a pennisula; point-to-point design; turn-based operations with car cards and waybills. The layout would run with 5 people or more: two local freights, two yard jobs, and 1 passenger operator/switcher (and maybe a dispatcher).
I had to take down the layout because I lost my space.However, I am a member of a large club, where we currently have:1). HO and HOn3 (plus HO trolley).2). We're about halfway done in a 6300+sq. ft. room.3). 660' of mainline (so far...more is planned)4). 270' of double track; the rest single with sidings.5). The layout is Transition Era, but all equipment can be run.6). We register all member's locos and cars: 2000 locos, 1000 cars.7). Pass. 80mph, commuter 60mph, freight 45mph, drag freights 25mph, switching 10mph.8). 40" min. radius mainline curves (#8 min. mainline switch). 89' flats and autoracks.9). It's an island layout with 3 existing penisulas (like a giant capital "E") with another 4 more penisulas to go. Operations are timed with a fast clock. We use car cards and waybills for freight operation for 8 local freights. The schedule runs 30 trains in two hours at a 6:1 fast clock ratio. The number of operators can be as many as 25 or as few as 8.http://ssmrc.org/photos.htm
1)Scale? - HO
2)How large? Basically 23' x 18', about 400 sq ft.
3&4)Mainline? Single track, 160' with 6 passing sidings/towns.
5)Era? Early 1900's in the anthracite region of NE PA.
6)Collection? 11 locos (worth noting), 160 freight cars, 16 passenger.
7)Scale speeds? Slow, 25mph.
8)Radius curves? 26”main with easments, 36' freight cars, 60' passenger.
9)Type of layout? Folded dogbone, walk-in, around-the-walls with a central penninsula-which has lower level staging and reversing loops. Balanced switching and running (all towns have industries).
Jim
HO (currently)
263)How long in feet is your mainline?
40 (approx.)
Single
70’s-90’s
6 locos and about 60 cars
25 mph
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, andlongest cars you run?
All curves are 18” radius; 50’ cars (nominal)
Island
I model the Western Maryland Ry on a coal branch running from a small yard/terminal out to a couple coal mines with 2 towns with switching along the way. Max grade is 3.5%. Here goes:
1. HO scale
2. 224 sq ft in a dedicated new building
3. 60' mainline approx
4. single track code 83 Walthers track #4 & #5 & #7.5 curved turnouts
5.1953-54
6. 841 cars and 158 locos (mostly brass locos)
7. 30-45 mph
8. 22"r
9. around the walls with a center peninsula-no hidden track
oldline1
1)What scale do you model: HO, HOn3, HOn30 and O. You might want to ask gauge.
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? About 60, plus a portable 483)How long in feet is your mainline? 25, and 22 and 10 on the other
4)Do you run a single track main or more? One single, 2 on the other
5)Roughly what era do you model? 1890 to 1970s. I also run trains at a club, which expands my reach in terms of era.
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? Locos: 42. Rolling stock: 135
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? 25
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? 18, 22 on mainline and 80
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc. Around the wall and portable
snjroy 1)What scale do you model: HO 2)How large in sq ft is your layout? 31' by 203)How long in feet is your mainline? 160 ft 4)Do you run a single track main or more? Single track with passing sidings. 5)Roughly what era do you model? Transition era 6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? maybe 100 peices of rolling stock, not sure how many locos. 7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? 25 8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? Mainline 24" 9)What type of layout do you have? Around the walls.
1)What scale do you model: HO
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? 31' by 203)How long in feet is your mainline? 160 ft
4)Do you run a single track main or more? Single track with passing sidings.
5)Roughly what era do you model? Transition era
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? maybe 100 peices of rolling stock, not sure how many locos.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? Mainline 24"
9)What type of layout do you have? Around the walls.
Uhhh, Mr CGW121, you may want to go back and edit your post so it doesn’t look like snjroy said the answers for your railroad. Just go and delete the “[ quote user="snjroy"]” and “[ /quote]” from your post.
SPSOT fan Uhhh, Mr CGW121, you may want to go back and edit your post so it doesn’t look like snjroy said the answers for your railroad. Just go and delete the “[ quote user="snjroy"]” and “[ /quote]” from your post.
1) I model in HO. The current BRVRR layout originated in 2004.
2) 4 ft. by 10 ft. 40 sq. ft.
3) Outer main is 24 ft. Inner main is just over 22 ft. Combined mainline is 46 ft.
4) Double track. With a reverse loop in the inner main.
5) Mainly the transition era, 1940s to 1960s. But I have some modern locomotives and rolling stock.
6) I have approximately 200 cars. About 1/4 are passenger cars and the rest freight cars. 51 locos at last count. 12 steam and the rest diesel. 95% of all locos are equipped with sound.
7) Approximately 35-50scale mph. Passenger trains at the high end.
8) There is one (1) 18" radius curve in the reverse loop. Otherwise the minimum radius is the 20" radius on the inner main line. The outer main line is 22-1/2" radius. The mains are spaced at 2-1/2". My longest cars are 84' passenger cars.
9) The layout is essentially a a table top. It is on rollers and moves back and forth on wall mounted tracks.
NOTE: The link below will lead to my website that documents most of the above with photos and more extensive descriptions.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
2) 32(4x8) + 12(1x12) = 44 square ft.
3) about 40 ft I think?
4) single track main with two passing sidings.
5) 1978, give or take 10 years
6) 38 cars, 6 cabooses, 5 locomotives, plus some borrowed equitment.
7) 10-40 MPH(main line) 10-20 MPH(city limits).
8) 18" radius. The longest cars I run are 75' passenger cars.
9) Table with shelf extention, mostly switching and tranfers with some mainline traffic.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
2) Unknown sq ft3) 81 feet
4) single track
5) We model "today": the engines and rolling stock we can see today. Roster is being purged of older items.
6) 11 diesels and currently 49 freight cars
7) 30 to 70 scale mph
8) Minimum Kato 26.375" radius with 28.75" radius easement sections. Do have 32" and 34" radius curves. Can run any diesel or freight car we want even in curved tunnels (custom size). DDA40X and longest, tallest freight cars are no problem.
9) Along the wall folded dogbone.
John Mock
PRR8259 Minimum Kato 26.375" radius with 28.75" radius easement sections.
One of the greatest advantages I have found to using HO Kato Unitrack is how simple it is to do these easements.
I don't remember the exact measurements for radius, but I know for my hidden track I can use an approximately. 22" minimum radius with two easement sections on each end of 30 inches and 26 inches, and everything runs silky smooth.
1: HO Scale
2: Will be a 12X10 L shaped layout, plus a 8X3 staging yard. (Currently the room is being remodeled. So currently, I have a 4X10 loop for test running.)
3: Would be roughly 58' if I'm doing my math right...
4: Single ttrack main with passing sidings.
5: 2002 - Forward, with some artistic license...
6: Rolling stock is not big enough to rotate. (But don't ask my family that question! They will answer "too big.") Loco roster has 41, but not all are operational at this time. (And some are only special occasion runners.)
7: 35-40 SMPH Max is the plan.
8: Plan is 24" minimum, with most 28". 89' longest.
9: Around two walls, mixed running and switching. Staging yard will double as a working switching yard, and main line will run between industries out and back. There will be a "cut-off" for continuous loop style operation, but most will be out and back.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I'm still in the planning stages of my layout, so take these answers as not written in stone.
1) HO scale
2) About 47 sq ft in a 2 foot wide C-shape
3) The mainline will be about 22 feet long. I'm probably using code 83 for everything and mostly #5 or #6 turnouts.
4) Definitely a single track mainline with lots of sidings, a runaround, and a yard
5) I had picked 1947, but I think I might go as far as 1951-ish. I'm not sure. I'm more interested in early diesels for this layout than late steam and I still want to use only 40' cars.
6) My fleet is still very small right now. My two locos are a Walthers Mainline SW-1 PRR 9137 (DCC-ready) and an unlettered Bachmann GE 44-ton switcher (DCC On Board). I'm currently using an MRC Railpower 1300 but am planning to upgrade to an NCE Powercab and install a decoder into (and maybe a speaker) and relettering the SW-1. My rolling stock currently consists of 4 boxcars. There's a Model Power 40' Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo that I've been using for weathering practice. The other three are all Accurail 40' boxcars: a Milwaukee Road plug door, an undecorated 6 panel wood, and an undecorated outside braced with wood ends. I added weight to them and upgraded the wheels and couplers. That's it for now. I'm hoping to expand that to at least 30 cars with a mix of boxcars, reefers, tank cars, flat cars, gondolas and open hoppers.
7) My speeds will be low. Switching speeds. That's like 20-25 mph max?
8) My minimum radius will probably be 18" as I only plan to run local switching trains with maybe six or seven 40' cars at most. If I can do what I want to in the space I have with larger radius curves, I will.
9) It will be a 2-foot wide around the walls switching layout in an 11' x 11' room. I want to be able to have a guest bed (probably a full) and still be able to access the deep closet, so I'm a little bit limited on what I can do.