G scale Train layout plans, Table Top

[MikeMcC]

 Hello all... New to this (kind of).  My  father in law purchased an LGB about 18 yrs ago for my daughter.  We have used it every Christamas to set  initially around the tree,  We have expanded every year and now we have grown to a 8 X 13 table top in the garage in NC. (We are a USMC family and move allot so setting in the yard has been off limits).    Our layout currently has 2 train tracks, a full  town, a farm layout, and a tunnels etc.  This year we purchased an old  (in mint condition) Christmas train (makes engine noise and plays Christmas song...includes Engine,  Coal train, singing box car, 3 passenger cars, and caboose) ...T

To the point Marine!!...I am looking for G scale Table topTrack layout designs...does anyone know off a web site I can go too?  Next year we look to expand to 12 X 16 with a second level, and upper and lower tunnels etc. 

Appreciate any help. 

Mike in Brandon FL 

[ttrigg]

Mike:

Try "model train layouts plans"

[Neiler]

Mike : There hasn't been much published for G scale table top layouts. Try some of the books for the smaller scales for inspiration. 101 track plans or "A train layout you can build" (or similar). Many are on ebay, at hobby shops, or a library. You'll find that your 12 x 16 pretty small when translated from HO or N scale plans. Consider building a modular or sectional layout that runs around the walls of the garage. It will be easier to move as well. N

[dougdagrump]

This site doesn't have any large scale table top plans but they do have some that you could possibly use as a starting point and modify to suit your needs and ideas.

http://www.thortrains.net/ 

[vsmith]

Been indoors all my time in large scale, heres some past and present plans developed for my indoor space, and some for others, hope they help:

Where I started:

4'6" x 6'6" tabletop layout:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/4x6%20firstlayout%20Model.pdf

Got morphed into the back corner of the garage and expanded:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Borracho%20RR%208x20%20orig%20layout.jpg

Then got cut down in half to allow car parking inside:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Borracho%20RR%208x10%20new%20layout.JPG

Later extended and replanned into this, which was what I had to dismantle when we rebuilt the garage:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/GarageStudyDOWNSIZEnew%20studyD_3-24-05%20Model2.pdf

Current layout: Where I'm at today. Over and under, llonger mainline, still lot of operation potential:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/GarageContest%20Model%201.JPG

Other Studies:

Point to point varient of the major downsize:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/GarageStudy%20point2point%208x10.pdf

Point to point variation of the last pre-demolition plan, this was my initial restarting point but went with the current plan:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/GarageStudyDOWNSIZEcurrent_Point2Point_01-07-07.pdf

Studies for others:

8' x 8' study for a fellow forum member:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Busby_Study_Model_track_plan.pdf

Plan for a 10' x 12' room for an online planning competition, came in 3rd overall against several others layouts in all scales:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/study%20Model.pdf

Just wanted you to see that there are several possibilities for large scale indoors.

[RV camp ground LGB layout]

Hi this is my first post, my layout is close to what you want. I started my LGB small back yard in 1995 I had my first LGB 4 years early. Today my layout is in front of my RV in a camp ground in Ca. it is 8x8 and I have three trains running on there own  track with three transformer, two steam and one diesel I am hoping to expand if the camp ground manager will let me. I started with Christmass layout the first of Dec. I have a Christmass train and three cars with 7 lighted Christmass houses and snow and a 3 ft Christmass tree all on 8x8.   It can be done.

Larry in Ca.

 

[vsmith]

Also try here, its all scales but alot of the basic tenants carry across to large scale, this is THE small layout one-stop center: I learned tons of good things studying the layout design gallery and reading thru the scrapbook pages. 

www.carendt.com

 this site helped me build this portable layout:

 

good luck and ask questions.

 

[ttrigg]

Leave it to you to toss in "The Pizza". Now tell him the track diameter and the restrictions as to which equipment will and will not run on it. Second thought, you better not, just might scare him away from the hobby. (Yep, that's just me being my obnoxious self.)  I'm surprised you've not tried to do a "suitcase" large scale layout.

[vsmith]

I do haz a N gauge in a little carrying case I never finished, that ol'devil man's been tempting me to build it up to HOn30