Somewhere in my reading was a 4 X 8 layout that was split into two 2 X 8 sheets that can be in a 4 X 8 or an "L" shape. I'm building a small layout for my Grandkids and want to be able to move it from my shop to their house and two 2 X 8 sheets works best. I can't find it in my last three years of MR and would appreciate any help locating the article. Thanks.
Capt. Brigg FranklinUSCG Licensed Marine OfficerCertified crazy train chaserCEO: Pacific Cascade Railway
Hi Brigg:
What scale are you planning on using? How old are your grandkids?
There are a couple of reasons for asking.
First, if your grandkids are younger they would likely be more interested in a layout that allows trains to circle around the layout, and older kids might get into switching eventually, but their first impulse will be to want to see how fast the train can go around the track. If you are planning on an 'L' configuration HO will not allow for return loops whereas N scale will. However, younger kids might have trouble re-railing N scale rolling stock. Even HO might be a challenge for the under 8 crowd if the engines have complicated wheel arrangements.
That brings up the question of durability. Finely detailed complex engines and kids don't mix too well. If the kids are into Thomas that solves a lot of initial issues. Simple wheel arrangements and four wheel freight cars are easy to re-rail. As the kids get older you can always introduce more prototypical engines and rolling stock.
I did a search for the style of layout that you want but I couldn't find anything that could be set up in both configurations. I seem to recall that one of the MR project layouts did have a split down the middle of a 4x8 sheet.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good questions. I work in HO gauge and the Grandkids are 12 and 9 and now run trains on my PCRy HO layout. The split layout has an oval with sidings when in 4X8 configuration and later can be reconfigured to the "L" shape for operations. The top right corner of the oval has a turnout running to the top edge that matches the top of the left side of the oval. I will be supplying engines, rolling stock and DCC electronics from my equipment. I'll look at my 2011 MR issue.
Capt. Brigg
I think I found the articles that you are looking for, or at least they cover a similar topic.
I'm having trouble with my internet service so I can't provide a link right now, but if you click on the 'How To' topic in the black line close to the top of this page you will see 'Project Railroads' on the right side of the page. Scroll down to the Milwaukee Road Beer Line project videos (they are quite a way down). The layout is sectional and can be set up in different configurations.
Could that have been MR´s 2013/2014 project layout "Rice Harbor"? That´s a 5 by 8 layout in two segments that can be assembled either as a loop or as an L-shaped switching layout.
Look for the November 2013 issue of MR!
Thanks Dave and Ulrich, but neither layout is quite what I remember. The Beer Line is way too big with four sections, and Rice Harbor, which may be as close as I get, is too wide and very involved with the harbor. This layout was only one 4'X8' sheet cut into two 2'X8' sections. I'm pretty sure I didn't dream it, but I don't seem to be finding it. I can cobble together something from the construction ideas in the two projects listed above, if nothing else. Again thanks for looking.
Capt. Brigg:
You might consider contacting Steven Otte directly to ask if he recalls the layout in question. He is really good at responding to messages.
In case you don't know how to get a message to him, go to the General Discussion page and click on his picture. You will see an option that allows you to start a conversation with him.
If you're talking two 2x8 sections, it sure looks like there's not room for continuous running. Which is OK, if that's what you like.
I do remember a layout a long time ago where a 4x8 sheet was cut to a 4x6 and a 2x4. Communipaw & Tidewater?????
Ed
That sure sounds like "The Beer Line" which is reconfigurable into many shapes.
Most kids love it when the train goes round and round. Just be aware you don't be able to do that with a 2x8.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
7j43k If you're talking two 2x8 sections, it sure looks like there's not room for continuous running. Which is OK, if that's what you like. I do remember a layout a long time ago where a 4x8 sheet was cut to a 4x6 and a 2x4. Communipaw & Tidewater????? Ed
Portage Hill & Communipaw
It was a nice long construction series starting in the December 1961 issue of "Model Trains". The apparently final part was part 9, in the July 1963 of "Model Railroader". It was a model of a turn-of-the-(last)-century small railroad.
And the basic layout idea was to cut a piece of the end of a 4x8 sheet and use it as an extension. I thought it was to make a 4x6 + 2x4, but now I think it might have been 4x7 + 1x4.
A very sweet little railroad!!!
But likely not the one being sought after.
Since the beginnings of that one are hard to find, it was fully presented in a book, Popular Model Railroads You Can Build, which is probably out of print, but it included the Ma & Pa (loved the use of PA Dutch dialect in that series), PH&C, which I always liked, NY & Quebec which was an interesting layout with 2 different expansion options built in both HO and N, and one of my all time favorite project layouts, the Kinnickinnic Railway & Dock Co.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If my math is correct, when you split a 4x8 sheet of plywood lengthwise and put the pieces is an L configuration you would have an 8x10 layout, probably around the wall. So if you're searching in 4x8 track plans you're not going to find the layout you want.
Ray