I got to some thinking after reading replies to my thread about the possiblity of building a full size scale representation of the Reading Terminal in HO. My layout expansion plans would eventually cover the majority of my just under 1600 sq ft house. For some general info: I have no basement (not a common thing in northern Nevada) and my 2 car garage is included in the sq ft I mentioned. Since cars are designed to be used outdoors that's where my car and pick up live. I have three BR's and two baths. My living room, dining area, and kitchen are essentially one room under a vaulted ceiling...that's where my layout is. I'm single...live alone and that's the choice after divorce and more than one failed relationship. At 54, and being moderately disabled, I've got better things to do than chase skirts. Got to hear Broadway Lion's take on this one. LOL.
So anyway. My layout expansion plans include punching holes in the walls and going into the garage... once it's totally cleaned of lots of junk. That's where I have space for a 3 X 6 ft trainshed... after I do some serious insulating. But I'm also looking at migrating my layout through my main hallway and into another room (my smallest bedroom).
Being somewhat alone in this way of modeling doesn't bother me at all, as a matter of fact there is someone else in my area that built a layout in the same fashion. But...I am merely curious whether anyone else on these forums is a modeler like me.
Just for the fun of it.
Mark H
Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history.
Mark,
At first I thought ... Wow cool what a great opportunity. 1600 sft layout! Then I realized that without a dedicated area for the trains, the whole house would have to have backdrops and some environmental changes as no matter where you were looking, you will see some "normal stuff" and some "train stuff"
so my recommendation: limit it to the two car garage and one bedroom like you said and put some mainline run on a <6" shelf along a hallway wall and a living room wall. Use really nice furniture grade paneling for the facia and use track lights in the ceiling rather than an upper valence to integrate more into a living environment. Avoid any "door crossings", they will be just a headache unless you have a really well built lift gate.
Hope this helps.
NP.
Sell the house, buy a warehouse with attached living quarters, even more space!
rrebell Sell the house, buy a warehouse with attached living quarters, even more space!
If I could afford to start over, which I can't. I would look for an old multi bay garage with a fair size office area. Fill in the inspection pits and steam clean the place. Set up home in the office.
I imagine anyone who is married would find it very unusual to find a wife who would mind allowing such a layout. I do recall reading about one guy who IIRC was on an island in the Caribean who had a layout that occupied the better part of a house. The article appeared back in the 70's or 80's - not sure if I still have the magazine. Personally I'd rather just have a nice sized basement or large out-building to have a layout in.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
My son and I came up with a plan to finish filling the basement ( 1200 sq ft ) with the train layout. At one end we were going to put a helix in to take the railroad through the floor and into the family room and beyond. That would give us another 1200 sq ft.
But alas, the wife shot it down.
South Penn
Well, I Am blessed with a 1400 sq ft basement that is shared with ony the furnace/AC system and the electrical box. I would suggest you insulate and climate control the garage. Then build a double decker out there. Once that's operational, you can decide if you need more and are able/desirous of keeping up the maintenance.
Someone mentioned John Allen. As fantastic as his layout was, after 20 years of being mostly retired, working on the layout, he died before the mainline was completed.
Good luck
Paul
I think even the most ardent hobbiest needs some living space away from the layout. Getting away from my train room reinvigorates me. How can you look forward to a few hours in the train room if you never leave.
Hearing of other peoples marital woes make me realize how lucky I am. My wife and I both retired together six years ago in our early fifties. We are always together at home and get along great. However if one of us is gone for a day or a few, we really miss each other and that really invigorates our relationship.
I don't care what it is, you need a break from it sometimes. A whole house layout is a non-starter for me.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
If I remember correctly, one of John Allens first layouts went through a wall from his kitchen to the dinning room.
So once you leave the Terminal where are you laying track to?
Hello,
sounds like you have a ambitious plan, similar to one of mine before I moved. The layout does not necessarily have to interfere with your living space if planned properly. My suggestion is to start small, in one of the bedrooms, and then expand. What usually happens is that once trains are running the building slows down dramatically.
Good luck and have fun. Keep us posted. Love to hear of the progress.
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
While I think it'd be an interesting layout, I don't think it's very practical. Selling the house might be difficult, keeping the track clean (potentially a lot of dust on the track) and general movement through the house (narrow hallways, track spanning doorways, etc) are some issues I'd have. That being said, anything is possible.
Sounds like you may be a good candidate for a sectional or modular layout. If they layout sections can be taken down and set up easily, I'd go that route. Depending on your physical abilities, maybe you can build some Free Mo modules, or at least use some of their ideas to build your layout sections (lightweight construction, electrical connections, track joints, etc). Free Mo modules can be as narrow as 8" and as long as will fit in your car/truck/van/trailer and can be any shape...as long as the track on the ends is level and square, it will most likely be fine. I use my modules at home and go to 3 or 4 setups each year...it's a great way to get out of the house and run trains on a big layout. Free Mo emphasizes opearations, but a lot of guys just run trains around...it's nice to have options! :)
Good luck building whatever makes You happy, keep us all posted!
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