Thats a great idea Steve :) I think you are right about having one large industry or a engine service terminal for the mini layout. In terms of creating a lead of maybe 1 or 2 tracks, could that be stored standing vertically? I have a small opening in the corner where my desk is where i could stand a lead section of track. I'm wonderign about the wiring and if it can be sotred vertical (I have absolutly NO IDEA about wiring at all hence why I ask this question).
And if I create this lead track and have it as a removable section, im going to make it as thing as possible so between 4-6". How could I have this lead section supprted? Yo ucan't really have legs on it becasue it is so narrow. Any ideas on how to keep this lead decently strudy once I connect it to the "larger" layout section?
36" is kind of short for an operating switching layout in HO scale. If you put the turnouts in the middle you'd basically have room for one engine and one car on each side of the points. What I would do is, rather than an industrial layout, consider an engine terminal. You can fit one into that kind of space without having to compress too much. A turntable, a small roundhouse, some outdoor locomotive storage tracks, and depending on your era either coal/water/sand towers and an ash pit with conveyor and clean-out track, or diesel fueling rack/sand tower, inspection pit, and wash rack. You can enjoy building a fascinating superdetailed scene, and still have some fun operating it. And when the time comes you can attach it to your future layout instead of discarding something that's too cramped to be useful.
Similarly, rather than building an entire cramped switching area, model a single large multi-track industry in your space, like a mill complex, ethanol plant, meat-packing plant, or refinery. You might not be able to switch it without the space for a lead track, but maybe you could set up a switch lead/two- or three-track staging yard on a temporary, removable section just a few inches wide. And again, when the time comes to build your permanent layout, you've got a revenue-generating industry ready to go.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
arvanlaa First I would like to say I did think of switching to N or Z scale, however I am choosing not to for two reasons: 1) I will be doing a bigger HO layout once I am able to save up a bit off the $$$
First I would like to say I did think of switching to N or Z scale, however I am choosing not to for two reasons: 1) I will be doing a bigger HO layout once I am able to save up a bit off the $$$
Sorry... That didn't make sense. What I meant to say was "once I am able to save up a bit of the $$$ to move out." I am not keeping it small due to modelling costs. It's purely space restrictions.
First I would like to say I did think of switching to N or Z scale, however I am choosing not to for two reasons: 1) I will be doing a bigger HO layout once I am able to save up a bit off the $$$ 2) I enjoy doing highly detailed scenes and I've found N and Z are much harder to work with in that regard.
I can't unfortunatly put anything under my bed since it has solid boarding all the way down to the floor. I can go maybe a bit more then the original 18"x36" but we are talking only a few inches at most. I unfortunatly cannot do a shelf layout due to the extremely poor condition of the walls in my room (I had a solid maple shelf and about 15 textbooks crash onto my pillow 3 seconds after I sat up from sleeping one morning lol).
It is true that I will not be able to get much of a runnign session with this layout but my long term plan is to incorporate it into a much longer layout once I move out. For know I want to practice my skills and hone (sp?) them on this small one. I am modelling the modern area at the moment unfortunatly. I have given thought to switching to say the 50's or 60's because I like the buildings and some of the small town scenes I can build from that era, but I havn't decided that yet.
As long as I am able to move a small engine (thinking a GP9) and one or two cars to test the track and show to a few people, I will be happy with that for now.
I saw in an issue of MR that I jsut borrowed from the library, that there is a guy who has a test track that he lays up verticle agaisnt the wall when he is not using it. Can this be done with a fully detailed layout? If there are any other crazy storage idea any of your have, please let me know! If I can store a longer section or say a lead that will allow for some switchign fun, then I can store my layout on my dresser, move it to the living room or basement, install the leads then perhaps have a bit of operating fun.
To those of you who sent pictures or links, unfortunatly I have been unable to look at them yet... I am at work and for whatever reason I cannot see pictures on this site on my computer here. I should give IT a holler...
You have got my creative wheels turning though with your industry and track ideas! Please keep them coming!
Dave Husman designed two neat HO track plans for this situation in Model Railroad Planning 2003 as part of the magazine's 11"X36" dorm room bookcase design challenge. They were even based on a real spot along the UP. One was actually 11"X36", the other an overhang for a total length of 48".
Most of the other bookcase plans in that issue were N scale and/or required folding to fit in the 11"X36" space described. Dave's HO plans were clever in making use of wye turnouts to save space in creating the runaround that formed the center of each of the layouts.
Similar plans are found on the Carl Arendt Micro Layout site that was posted above.
Byron
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
I would put a 18 by 48 inch 3/4 inch plywood board on top of the dresser and use that as my layout space. 3/4 inch ply s/b strong enough to have a six inch hang over (or hangover, since you're in college ) on either side provided that you don't load it up with a lot of weight. Trimming it out with 1x2's would give it added rigidity.
More can be done with the extra foot of layout space.
- Douglas
arvanlaa the only space you had to create your layout was a 18"x36" space on top of your dresser
I'm guessing you will have more of a "scene" rather than a layout. Ever condsider Z or N scale?
First, I would very seriously consider choosing N scale instead of H0 scale for this layout.
Going from H0 scale to N scale is the functional equivalent of multiplying your layout length (and depth) by 1.8 (1:87 / 1:160) - it makes it appear as if your 18" x 36" base area really is 32" x 64" - i.e. five feet long instead of 3 feet long.
I would also consider era modeled and the theme. Backdating a layout to the early diesel era means that most freight cars are half the length (or less) of the larger modern freight cars.
It makes a significant different in a small switching layout whether you want to have room for a small 4 axle switcher with 40' (or smaller) cars, or whether you want an engine that is twice as long with cars that are twice as long.
You can have continuous running in little space, but you cannot go in a circle. You could however set up a layout that can be run in continuous run back-and-forth (pendulum) modus - e.g. a trolley or a subway or an elevated that goes from one end of the layout to the other, stop for a while and then return. Either as the main attraction or as a side attracktion, if you have room in the background for something like that.
I would also consider whether I have to stay within the confines of the dresser , or whether it can stick out a little at both the ends of the dresser. Adding a little bit of length helps - it is length we run out of first.
Take for instance this simple plan - which in H0 scale is 16" deep abd 8 feet long:
In N scale the same plan would fit in 10" deep and 4 1/2 feet long - i.e it would stick out 9" on both sides if a 36" wide dresser.
Another option would be to make a H0 scale switching layout that goes on a shelf on the wall instead of on top of the dresser.
You could make a micro layout - the late Carl Arendt was the king of the micros - his web site is still maintained by volunteers (and a new installment - the first since his death - has just been published) .- http://www.carendt.com
You could make a layout where you have a detachable cassette or section to extend the length of the layout temporarily while you are running, but where the fixed part is 3 feet long. Or you can use traverses (drawers that slide forward and back) or sector plates (sections of track that swivels) to make your layout functionally longer.
Have a look e.g. at German modeler Alexander Lösch's X street gang layout - he uses a sector plate to create a runaround and a way to move between the two front tracks and the two rear tracks: http://www.frankenmodell.de/xstreet.html / http://www.frankenmodell.de/xstreetrodgau11.html
A couple of simple variants in H0 scale, using 40' cars and short diesel switcher,illustrating sector plate, fixed extension and cassette/traverser:
Lots of options :-)
grin, Stein
First question, could you build something that would fit under your bed? There have been a number of folks that do this. It can be on rollers or just slide under. A shortened hollow core door would make a good base. Putting a layer of 2" foam on it would allow you to have below track level scenery. If you could find a loco that could run on 15" radius and use only short cars you could have a loop.
Would you consider N scale for your college years? Could do more with a small space like this.
If neither of the above work, I'd suggest having some low relief industries.on your backdrop Something like an oil dealer, team track or lumber yard come to mind for foreground. Your problem will be leads long enough for a loco and car beyond the switch to move cars from place to place.
Good luck,
Richard
I confess I misread your thread title. I really thought you were complaining about the size of your 18 FOOT by 36 FOOT layout... sheesh.
Search the track plan database (on the MR home page) for small switching layouts. MR has published several in the past couple of years.
The Walthers Cornerstone transfer table could be used to select a couple of different industry tracks,(although it is a space hog) or you could create a hidden cassette to move your trains. A couple of Y's and / or double slip turnouts or double crossovers would allow you to squeeze a lot of track into that space, and if most of your industry structures were flats instead of full buildings, you could probably do rather well in 18" x 36".... especially if you were to cheat and give yourself a 2" overhang at each end to eke out 40"!
Or you could switch to N or Z scale!
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
I would like to pose a question to you fine ladies and gentlemen.
I model in HO and have an extremely tiny area to create a layout in. The size is 18"x36" with the possibility of very modest increases, however I am not getting my hops up too much.
I would love suggestions on what I can do with this space. It will be virtually impossible to have a continuous loop so I am thinking a switching layout. I was going to model a short line local railroad but I think it may be easier (and allow my creative juices to flow more) if I created a freelance railroad.
What I am asking is this.... if you were a young university student who lives in a tiny house and the only space you had to create your layout was a 18"x36" space on top of your dresser, what would you do? I'd love to hear all and any ideas you may have. Currently I am working on a small, one bay engine house. Other than that I am open to any and all industry possibilities!