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New house..... Time for a layout....

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  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Weymouth, Ma.
  • 5,199 posts
Posted by bogp40 on Thursday, December 27, 2012 2:28 PM

Have the carpets been laid in that room? If you still want carpet over laminate or other, I'd suggest a tight pile indoor/ outdoor variety.  The garage is not too far away for all the cutting for benchwork, so saw dust won't be that much a problem.  The tighter pile carpets work out so much better that they clean easier and won't really loose screws and such in the pile.

Minor woodwork within the space can still be done, just cover the floor w/ large cardboard or masonite. I do this regularly and floor protection is always needed or my customers tend to get a bit peeved at me.

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

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  • From: US
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Posted by jmbjmb on Thursday, December 27, 2012 2:08 PM

The space you're in might be on the smaller side for a two decker.  While you could probably fit one in, I suspect you'd lose as much to the climb up as you gain in the second deck (unless a helper grade is part of your ops plan). 

One thing I'll differentiate from others.  This looks like a smaller house with no basement.  In that case, don't give up closets, or storage in any form.  You can never have enough storage in a house and you're spouse will be greatful (and so will you when their stuff doesn't end up in the train room.)  I have a similar space and her stuff has now migrated into the train room, across the floor so that I'm only working in half the room and yet she is still needing more.

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Posted by NorthCoast RR on Thursday, December 27, 2012 1:34 PM

to echo earlier sentiments, getting a helix in there would be tough. I am currently building a layout in a similar sized room, and from an operational perspective, I think I am in for some great times. Its an interesting ISL, and a mainline for through traffic, with hidden staging so my trains 'go somewhere'.

I think you have plenty of room for a fun trainroom and layout.

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  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
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Posted by gandydancer19 on Thursday, December 27, 2012 1:32 PM

Could you switch to N scale? It would give you more room for a better layout.

I started building an HO layout in a 13 by11 room and it was going to be really cramped. I now have a 10 by 24 foot space. I also have two levels and a no-lix. Here are a couple of photos where you can see the climb up.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

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Posted by The EL RR on Thursday, December 27, 2012 12:48 PM

Its really a great idea but the house is too far along in the process for that to be an option. The flooring is going in next week so its a little too hard to take out the wall. Thank you for the ideas tho.

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  • From: Central Vermont
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Posted by cowman on Thursday, December 27, 2012 11:59 AM

Since the house is still under construction is it too late for a small change?

If you could eliminate the closet in Bdrm 2 and the little "hall" closet, move the door to line up with the bathroom wall.  Since it is not the primary bathroom, shelves over the back of the toilet could provide space for extra towels, etc. rather than having a whole closet.  Would make your room a little bigger.

Good luck,

Richrd

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Posted by The EL RR on Thursday, December 27, 2012 11:22 AM

Thank you for that. I didnt even think about looking for a book. lol. I just ordered it. Well with that I will start doing more researching. If there are anymore references you have I would appreciate it. Thanks again.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 27, 2012 10:54 AM

The EL RR

Do you think I could have a Track that runs down the back of the lay out that will come around on the second level? I have never built a 2 level layout or one that goes around the room. I always did 4'x8' before so I'm new to this kind of planning. Thanks for all the help!

That´s called a nolix and certainly a valid alternative in tight spaces.

If you have never built a multi-deck layout before, may I suggest to do some reading?

Our host Kalmbach offers a book on designing and building a multi-deck layout - you can find it here:

Designing and Building Multi-Deck Model Railroads

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Posted by The EL RR on Thursday, December 27, 2012 9:25 AM

Dang I didn't know a helix had to be so big. Well I guess I will have to come up with something. I like the idea with bedroom 3 and 4, but the old lady will not go for that. The house is will be finished being built in Feb. so I have plenty of time to plan something out. What is another good way to get down to a second level? Do you think I could have a Track that runs down the back of the lay out that will come around on the second level? I have never built a 2 level layout or one that goes around the room. I always did 4'x8' before so I'm new to this kind of planning. Thanks for all the help!

  • Member since
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  • From: Weymouth, Ma.
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Posted by bogp40 on Thursday, December 27, 2012 1:50 AM

It would be great to use BR #3 and #4, just take out the parting wall and closets. Still leaves  one for a guest BR.

If you are left to use that #3, one problem w/ an around the wall plan is the jog for the bath linen closet.. I agree that a helix would not work,

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 27, 2012 1:40 AM

A 12 by 11 ft. room is a nice space for a layout, but I have my doubts whether you will have enough room for a helix in it. A helix requires a fairly large radius to work safely - you should not go below 2ft. 6 inches. That´ll eat away over 5 by 5 ft. of your room.

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New house..... Time for a layout....
Posted by The EL RR on Thursday, December 27, 2012 12:56 AM

Hey everyone. My fiance and I are buying a house and we have 4 bedrooms and no kids. So I'm filling one of them with trains. I model HO and space is tight. I think the room im wanting to build it in is 12x11. I'm wanting to build in bedroom 2 and have it against the wall maybe a dogbone with a helix to a second level.  Any ideas or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I hope I can figure out the dimensions of the room to give better information.

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