I have a 3X7 O31 guage layout on hollowcore door in my basement. Its a toy train style layout. Recently I thought of making it bigger but due to money and most importantly space I've decided to keep what I have and run what I have. Does anyone out there have small layouts like this and are not considering expanding them? Do they get boring after awhile? Are Bigger layouts the only or best way to enjoy the O guage hobby? I'd like to hear other peoples opinions please. Thanks in advance.
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
I have had large and small layouts over the years. While added space and tracks add to a layout, it is you being happy with what you have that counts. Both my son and I agree that the permanent layout we had 2 layouts ago was the best we had. It ran nice and offered a lot. That layout was 8x12. We more than doubled the size of the layout before packing things away, and with double the size we were not happy the way the layout ran. It didn't flow. Right now we have a 5x8 for Christmas. It looks good, and I can run 2 trains. It was built for a holiday village and has no accessories. We will take it down in about a month. Someimes the best layout is the one in my head, and i just enjoy the trains.
Best of the New Year to you..
It is always difficult to see the large layouts and not yearn to have one. My permanent layout is 6'x8'. I also have a small loop of track (est 3'x5') that I bring out and throw on the floor when my grandkids come over. That floor layout is the most fun to operate. The permanent layout has TMCC, DCS, and Legacy. The floor layout is conventional only and runs mostly postwar.
My permanent layout is in a bedroom that my children used to occupy before they moved out. It is very comfortable in there to run trains. It has been turned into a den-like room with trains covering the walls with the layout in the middle. There is a futon for running the trains and naps. I think a key to enjoying your trains is to have your layout in a comfortable location and keeping the room neat.
Good luck with your layout.
Earl
Bruce,
I had a Toy Train layout when I was a kid - 4' x 8'. It's 027, so you can get a little more than 031. I recently set it up the same way for my grandson, and he has a lot of fun with it. I'm making it a little bigger (8 x 6) and going more to the HighRail (I hope). Maybe down the road it'll get even bigger if I can find the room and money to do it.
Enjoy what you have and if things get boring you can add on a little at a time. I look at some of the layouts on this site and they blow me away. Some make layouts like ours look pretty simple in comparision, but I bet none of them went up overnight.
Charlie
Search of the forum reveals "Thor CNJ" is a micro layout god of sorts...
http://www.thortrains.net/marx/micromtho1.html
See his site at link above.
Roland
I have two permanent layouts. One is 6 ½ x 9 ½ and the other is 4 x 6. My smallest layout is 34” x 41”.
I would like to have bigger to have more room for accessories, but the advantage of small is easy to maintain, and your building results come fairly quick. One of the layouts, the test track is on a bed that rolls under the “big” layout.
The smallest is an All Aboard from 1965.
Jim
Thanks everyone for the replies and ideas. I think now you have given me ideas to work with on small layouts and I may even have two or three with different themes. Maybe the 3X7 will be my "main" layout with my plasticville items and with some of my extra track, I could make another under the bed layout with whatever I decide in the future. Thanks Guys
Im a big fan of small layouts. I don't have the skills in scenicking to do a huge layout, and I don't want to be working on the same layout for 10 years. I like many of the layouts on Thors page, and I have a bunch that I have copied from other layouts, and some that i have built myself. I needed something smaller that my son could control, and even hacked my own layout down to 7.5 x 6.5. It's enough to keep my attention.
Wes
I have a moderate sized layout (12x18) that is on three levels, with more to come. I am still working on it to get more than just the outer loop running. I have been challenged with learning new skills to build this, but have missed running trains. That said, nothing wrong with a smaller layout. You can have fun and make it interesting. Create some mountains, hidden tracks, etc. The suggestion for Thor's trains layout site is a good one. He has created some nice ideas. Another way to make things interesting is to have some switching capabilities. Serve an industry or something. If you want, you can have a few different schemes like 1940s steam era with older buildings, etc., and then you can switch out the buildings for more modern era items and act like it is current day, and keep the same track plan. Your biggest limitation is not the size of the layout...it is your imagination! You can have a few different levels. Try using elevated sections, etc.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
My first phase of my layout was 4'x16'. After we got it up and running, the planned expansion started.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
If you are going to have a layout on the bed under the layout table like I have, measure the height of the bed made with blankets on it. Add the height of the thickness of the layout board ( 1/2") then the height of track and switches. This will be the minimum height from the floor to the bottom of any framing members. You will also need to run wires through the framing members instead of along the bottom cords. I have some wiring to repair now where something got caught and broke a wire.
I have a 4x8 in my second bedroom that is way overdue for a makeover. After checking out the Fastrack layouts at thortrains.net that is. Keep the length of your trains small, you need to create the illusion of distance. Stick with O-27 motive power and rolling stock, the standard O can be overpowering. Also, avoid any accessories that have a large footprint. The milk platform(have), diesel coal loader, and icing station do not take up a lot of real estate. Use the small size to your advantage. The only person who needs to be happy and impressed is you.
I think you would see a big difference jumping up to a 4x8, but if you don't have the space I'm sure you will get alot of enjoyment in your current size. Try making 2 levels where the bottom level is all hid except a front stretch of track. On top of that you could put another train and a village or what ever scenic things you might have. Adding switches could give more operating fun. I have a 4x8 and enjoy it alot. Concentrate on making your layout the best small layout it can be. Also look for dead space where you don't really have either track or something you like and try to re-arrange or move track so you don't have any boring "nothing" areas. Small layouts are nice if you aren't happy with it, just tear up the track and re-do. Best wishes.
My layout is 4'x7', that's all the room I have, but it has 10 switches, and a lot of action. I like running the O27 cars and smaller scale switcher engines, because of the size limitations. The smaller cars allow you to run more cars, and provide more options.
To keep things interesting, I started on scenery, and some scratch building projects. I plan to start scratch building cars in the future, when I run out of building space.
Kurt
I love small layouts. Mine is 4.5' x 8.5'. All done with tubular 027 track. Although it doesn't change the track plan, my way of changing the layout over time was by making the center village removable. I cut out a quarter inch particle board and made my current village on an oval that fits within my lower level loop. I will make my second village scene this summer on a separate board so I can interchange the two over time. The pictures below are of the village being made outside, then how it looks when I placed it on the layout. Another thing about layouts not getting old is to simply buy a new engine occassionaly or cars or people. For me, it becomes a new layout with each new item.
My motto is "Build small, but build many". I have a 5x8 "O", 6x4 "S", 2x4 "N", 2 "under the Christmas tree" "O", and a battery powered "G" outdoors in a flower bed. I have NO desire to go larger with any of them. Because I love doing scenics, they all have a minimum of track taking up space.
I also belong to a "O" modular group, so "big" is taken care of. We usually do 4 shows a year.
With my "O" 5x8 layout, I have had visiters totally entertained by the scenics and animations for 15 minutes before I even turn on the trains.
I like the ideas about adding a second level. Can anyone direct me to magazine articles and/or websites that give examples of what might work? Thanks
The February 2009 issue of CTT has an article on page 46. The title is, "Layout With An Entertaining Secret". It is an interesting way of having two levels without making it look obvious. Worth a look.
my layout is 5.5' X 8' .Someday I hope to build a much larger layout, but this one is serving me well as my technology demostrator. Its not hard to work out things on a small layout, knowing they will scale up just fine later. Ive developed my interlocked automated switches that allow the train to travel all of the different routes in both directions without intervention. Now im working up my catenary system that also ties into the autmated swich scheme, so no electrc engine can be routed to a track with no catenary.
I haven't met a modeler yet (including myself) who didn't lust after more engines, more equipment, more track or a bigger layout. My opinion is that every train enthusiast should try and be content with what they have at this point in time. I have tried to design an 027 layout in a 5' x 9' space with enough action to keep me interested. Recently I added a 2' x 5' addition. Sure, I 'd like a bigger layout someday but I'm certainly happy with what I have right now. It's OK to dream big but it's also important to live happily in the present.
dsmithI haven't met a modeler yet (including myself) who didn't lust after more engines, more equipment, more track or a bigger layout. My opinion is that every train enthusiast should try and be content with what they have at this point in time. I have tried to design an 027 layout in a 5' x 9' space with enough action to keep me interested. Recently I added a 2' x 5' addition. Sure, I 'd like a bigger layout someday but I'm certainly happy with what I have right now. It's OK to dream big but it's also important to live happily in the present.
Dave,
Always a pleasure to see pictures of your layout. I think this is the first bird's eye view of it I've seen. Very sharp, and shows what can be done with a relatively small space. Keep up the good work!
J White
I had a small 3 x 7 door slab layout with a figure 8 of O27 track and a spur. It got boring rather quickly because the train really did nothing more than chase its tail. In my opinion, and it's just an opinion, is an interesting layout should have at least two mainlines, at least one passing siding, and a few spurs. You can cram this on a 4 x 8 table using tubular track or a 5 x 9 using Fastrack.
This is the small layout I built form Lionels Model Railroader pocket books from the 50's. CTT did an article some time back on it also.
It is easy to see I still do not do well at posting photo's.
In my Chillicothe VAMC office. " align=bottom mce_src="">
I think a 3 x 7 foot layout would be more of a "challenge" than a 4 x 8. Got to be a little more cerebral in the planning phase, and carefull with which equipment and structures would compliment the theme. If done right, you'll leave others thinking man, why didn't I think of that...
BTW ---> envfocus - Congrats on your photo on pg 18!!!
alcofanschdy I like the ideas about adding a second level. Can anyone direct me to magazine articles and/or websites that give examples of what might work? ThanksBruce
Have you seen Tony Koester's book "Designing & Building Multi-Deck Model Railroads" put out by Model Railroader? It is mostly larger layouts and mostly HO, but does have some ideas on heights, lighting, test grades, Etc.
Patrick L
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
For the ultimate link to layouts ... bash/kit building and making and expanding fabulous layouts go here http://www.all-model-railroading.co.uk/forum/ you'll see how small layouts never get boring !
If you are thin on accessories and want more track, Place an elevated oval with the A trestle. It doubles as a test track or photo stage.
I use a double circle connected by a 45 degree crossing in a corner. The oval fits on that.Simple but the train has to do two loops around the table to make a lap. The Track is about 7' by 7' with the rest as a work area.
I've decided to add another 3X7 door as an expansion and have an L shaped layout. At this point I'm going to keep things simple by expanding the run and maybe adding another spur or two. Got a great deal on a leftover Christmas house at Kohls last weekend ( with the 80% off and coupons it cost me nothing) I'm going to consentrate on putting my Dept 56, Lemax and other bldgs up on the layout permanent. The pictures on this thread and ideas expressed by all have my juices flowing and when I get done here I going to the local home depot and look for a cheap damaged door I can use. Thanks
Talking about small layouts, check out the two coffee table layouts, O and HO, on Joe Rampolla's web site at www.josephrampolla.com. Even more interesting is his many animations with construction details.
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