Daylight, I agree there are some nice layouts here all in small spaces... COOL!
My first layout was around 4x9 or a little bigger with 027 track. I had two mainlines where I could run separate trains and another overhead track where I could run yet another train. In the end I decided it was toooo much. It was hard to watch one train with three running in such a small space. But the noise rumble was pretty loud. One train wasn't so bad... three was another story.
My current layout is smaller (still with 027 track) built on sytrofoam insulation board with a pine frame. It's lightweight and I can move it myself.
I agree with what someone said above... I think LIRR fan, that it's just as much fun to add lots of details to see and watch. I personally think you can have as much fun with one train running so long as there's some switching and accessory action - which is what makes the 3-rail trains so much fun in my opinion.
I'm a big fan of the Looney Toons cartoons. I got to thinking how the Coyote was always falling off cliffs and mountains that just conveniently seemed to automatically end. And I got to thinking, what if I took that concept to make a mountain or tunnel on a small layout where space is at a premium. So that's what I did: The mountains are one-sided that go over the track and then conveniently just end. It's like taking one of those pre-fab styrofoam tunnels you see on holiday floor layouts and cutting it in half, and then put one half on the back side of the layout with the scenery side of the mountain facing you. Saves a lot of space on a small layout and still gives you some scenic variety.
Also consider having a river or lake on a corner of the layout where there's a curve. I built a simple bridge on the curve using pine (with a large brick patter carved into it) and then some basswood bracing under the track between the "brick" piers. There's not much room for accesories in the space on a corner outside an 027 curve where the track is close to the edge of the layout board, so this was another space saving idea that still allowed me some scenic variety.
I also keep things simple. When I had a larger layout, I had this scratch built dumping accessory that puts scrap loads into gondolas and dump cars. It was part of a larger factory. When I went to the smaller layout, I kept the dumping loader but had to ditch the companion factory.
I also have uncoupling tracks on the outside of the layout close to the layout edge, with dump bins mounted on the outside bracing of the layout frame. When activated, the dump cars over the U/C track, unload into these bins... another space saving idea.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
dsmith wrote: Here is my Postwar 027 tubular track 5' x 9' layout. 2 mainlines and a bumper trolley line. There is an autostop feature so that I can run 2 trains on each mainline. The inside main has an up and under section so I have 2 girder bridges. Also, using connected 1122 remote switches, I can select the operation of the layout to allow a single train to travel around the outer main 1 1/2 times, then travel around the inner main 1 1/2 times and then automatically repeat. The two sidings on the outside mainline use cutdown1022 switches so that the sidings will fit in a tight space. There are also 4 sidings for switching operations(9 uncoupler tracks) and for operating accessories (milk car, barrel loader, log/barrel dump, and gantry crane). There are 3 crossing gates, 4 flashing signals, 3 automatic semaphores, automatic gateman, flagman and switch tower. All this in a 5' x 9' layout. Sorry, no mountains or tunnels.I didn't use any layout software for my track design. On the internet I found a graphic of a layout, I copied the layout and then using Microsoft Picture It(any graphic software will do), I cropped individual photos of straight and curved sections and the 027 switches. Then I pasted the sections onto a blank page, moved, rotated and duplicated the sections as needed. I added the red dots for uncoupler sections, yellow for track bumpers, and rectangles to approximate some of my buildingsDavid SmithDearborn, Michigan
Here is my Postwar 027 tubular track 5' x 9' layout. 2 mainlines and a bumper trolley line. There is an autostop feature so that I can run 2 trains on each mainline. The inside main has an up and under section so I have 2 girder bridges. Also, using connected 1122 remote switches, I can select the operation of the layout to allow a single train to travel around the outer main 1 1/2 times, then travel around the inner main 1 1/2 times and then automatically repeat. The two sidings on the outside mainline use cutdown1022 switches so that the sidings will fit in a tight space. There are also 4 sidings for switching operations(9 uncoupler tracks) and for operating accessories (milk car, barrel loader, log/barrel dump, and gantry crane). There are 3 crossing gates, 4 flashing signals, 3 automatic semaphores, automatic gateman, flagman and switch tower. All this in a 5' x 9' layout. Sorry, no mountains or tunnels.
I didn't use any layout software for my track design. On the internet I found a graphic of a layout, I copied the layout and then using Microsoft Picture It(any graphic software will do), I cropped individual photos of straight and curved sections and the 027 switches. Then I pasted the sections onto a blank page, moved, rotated and duplicated the sections as needed. I added the red dots for uncoupler sections, yellow for track bumpers, and rectangles to approximate some of my buildings
David Smith
Dearborn, Michigan
David, you're an insipiration! Love the layout and the ambition. Makes me wanna go right out into my 90 degree garage and start putting track together!!
Roland
Here is the same layout, minus a siding and added a O-42 elevated loop(in red).
The layout is actually only 7' x 4'. Basically one big yard. I enjoy switching the most, and wanted an underground passenger station. The trains disappear behind the station, for about 5-seconds, but disappear nonetheless. Plans for buildings above.
Controls:
Overview:
Kurt
6 1/2 X 9 1/2 all post war american flyer
34" X 51" American Flyer All Aboard 600
Jim
My photos won't upload to this site but you can see my layout at. It is 10 X 12.
community.webshots.com/user/otftch
Ed
Here are a few pictures of my 4x8 layout. Due to the small area to work, I went with a much more detailed layout to keep visitors interested and looking for smaller details and scenes.
031 curves, all MTH Scaletrax. Proves you pack alot into a 4x8 with a simple loop.
Michael
This is what runs the large layout.
This is a 5x9 layout. If you like it, or want to modify it, let me know.
Uses O gauge tubular track. Outside curves O-54
Daylight....It sounds like you have a plan. I went with 042 on the outside loop and 031 on the inside. Then, in the center, off of the inner 031 loop, is where I put my sidings. If you have engines or cars that reguire 054, then I would go with a 5 foot wide table. Just a suggestion.
Chuck
I have three main lines and one trolley line. The two bottom lines are on seperate transformers and there are four blocks so that the inside train can sit while the outside train can use part of the inside loop. In addition there are two sidings again each is blocked. The lower tracks use 0-36 curves while the elevated track is 0-42.
The layout will be a farm scene once the inside fields are done.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month