im just starting out and i wanted a layout close to a 4x8 but a bit more open however i dont want to lose too much space thats my only requirement if anyones curious the curves are 18s and its set around 1949 can add the chosen plan
anthony vileta, cedar rapids iowa
You have a plan or are looking for suggestions on one?
Scale?
I assume 3 foot guage or are you thinking of something else?
Prototype or region/traffic of interest?
Are you also considering a around the walls layout or are you committed to doing a 4x8?
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
on30 and around the wall but the line is fictional im doing sir the line serves a logging camp and small towns along it based in upper midwest uses a modded madison central as a starting point
O scale is certainly doable in 4X8 but there will not be a lot of operational room there, even in On3.
Bachmann has really run On3 to a point where engines and cars are very affordable, but I find that everything else in O scale is rather pricey from people to cars and especially really fine structures. Of course the structure costs can be removed via scratch building. This is something classic narrow gaugers usually like and become good at.
All the best.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
Have fun with your trains
thanks id like to see it
Anything that says "narrow gauge" in the headline automatically draws my interest. It may be my bad command of the English language, but I have difficulties to comprehend what the OP is trying to tell us, the way his post reads. Is he really intending to build a 4 by 8 around the wall On30 layout? I don´t see how this can be done. Must have been an April Fool.
Ulrich,
I think it's genuine, he's just trying to say about the area of a 4x8 but spread around the wall, I think.
Tony,
Sounds interesting and it's always worth doing something non-Colorado. That's just my thing.
Building a turntable takes a little care, if you don't want to use the Atlas HO TT, but isn't too big a deal. I recently built this HOn3 one for my Cascade Branch.
There is more if you page down at this link: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/219241.aspx?page=2#2505734
im planning on redoing my old layout but use the same track im not changeing from a 4x8 just going narrow guage thats all i cant use much of my familys basement
close my idea was more like a donut sir sorry i didnt say so til now
Mike, thanks for clarifying this. Maybe I am to old fashioned, but these SMS-style posts are difficult for me to understand
Without wanting to hijack this thread, I have just started work on my On30 shelf-type layout. The benchwork is built, I need to hang it up on the wall. I´ll be posting pictures and explanations in a separate thread.
vsmithI designed an On30 layout based on a single sheet 4x8. I'll post a plan tommorow .
Here it is:
Here is the plywood cut sheet:
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/4x8PlywoodCutting%20Diagram.pdf
thank you sir mind if i ask can it fit in a corner area im not stealing your idea but its very nice
Interesting plan. I don't have a feel for space needed for O scale buildings and scenery, and whether you have allowed enough. I think the same plan in the same space would work quite well for HOn3, provided you didn't need/want 2-8-2s.
I notice you are using very short cars, which is about all that will run on your sharp curves. Will your Shay handle the 15" radius curves?
just my thoughts
Fred W
heres a video building the layout im working on modifying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKguw6NWtAI
Ulrich... you have been helping me a great deal with my On30 plan. I cannot wait to see pictures of yours.
Dang... hurry up man!
Steve
Life is tough, but it's tougher if your'e stupid.
fwright Interesting plan. I don't have a feel for space needed for O scale buildings and scenery, and whether you have allowed enough. I think the same plan in the same space would work quite well for HOn3, provided you didn't need/want 2-8-2s. I notice you are using very short cars, which is about all that will run on your sharp curves. Will your Shay handle the 15" radius curves? just my thoughts Fred W
http://www.npcrr.net/On30/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius_pics.pdf
According to this its OK, although today I would choose the Climax.
the track is laid will later relay it after i get the foam tested the connections with a GWR 4-6-0 runs well senery will be put on hold yes i run british equipment alongside my normal trains
I guess you know that Model Railroader's next project layout is ON3 narrow gauge. The series should help you. Good luck!
lefty
Lefty
Abbie,
I'm pretty sure it's On30, rather than On3. Probably what you meant, but just so there's no confusion.
im nearly done with track work im short a switch and some straight track
Good to hear you're making progress.
Use ta' be On2 1/2...... I have never heard of On36 or On24. On30 got started by folks who probably were not deeply involved with narrow gauge, but knew there was a lot of HO track out there and drive gear they could make smaller shells for...... or the marketing departments thought the 1/2 looked tacky.
But it is hung out there now and seems to be the only U.S. narrow gauge referring to inches instead of feet.
Any one know of any 2 1/2 foot narrow gauge roads in the United States? I know we built steam engines in this gauge for export to Mexico and Canada may have had some. St Kitts and Nevis has the gauge, but were there ever any in the U.S.? I can't seem to locate any.
I know that about 96% of all narrow gauge in this country was 3 foot gauge and virtually all the rest was 2 foot gauge. The rest were all odd gauges with tiny amounts of trackage.
Don't forget On18, it is what they used on millatary bases and overseas in WW1.
narrow gauge nuclearAny one know of any 2 1/2 foot narrow gauge roads in the United States?
There were a number of them in the Hawaiian Islands (although probably all were gone before it became a state). Most of those were sugar cane railroads, but there were two common carriers on Kauai that were 2 1/2' gauge: the Kauai Railway and the Ahukini Terminal and Railway
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Thanks for the info on the Hawaiian island roads. They count as it was a territory of the US. That is two 2 1/2 foot gauge operations on Hawaii. Any more real 2 1/2 foot gauge roads in the US?
With such a paucity of 2 1/2 foot gauge it makes virtually all On30 MR activity fanatasy roads which is no real big deal. It just means there are virtually no real world US modeling opportunities in the gauge.
I, personally, favor fantasy roads. No responisbility to follow any real world example. In my 50 years of MR'ing, I have never built a layout patterned after a real world railroad......Only reasonable fanatasy roads.... Lets me do what I want within the limits of the geography and needs of the period I model.
Narrow gauge, in general, is an ideal setting for a small little road of your own design. Only the "scale" chosen for your narrow gauge line determines just how small or large your space requirements will be and what the costs are in completing a suitable example of what you want to do.
The Gazette had a series a few years ago on various 30" gauge railroads in the US - I believe it was by Mallory Ferrell. It's true that the vast majority of American narrow gauge was 3', but surprisingly there was a decent number of 30" gauge as well, although few were common carriers.
This website has a list that seems pretty comprehensive: http://www.pearcedale-conservation-park.com.au/c&b/SZ.html#usa