ho 4X5 layouts

[bighead]

hey everyone,

i'm new here just started and was wondering if anyone had any planes for a turn of the century layout for a 4X5 area. i have been playing around with my track but really haven't come up with anything good yet. any tips or comments will be welcomed.

-bighead

[SpaceMouse]

Your space is limited but not impossible, but I don't know of any published plans. If you want a good design, you will have to do it yourself--because only you know what you want. YOU have to start with a few basics. Start by Choosing your road name.

Road name determines possible locations.

Locations determine landscape and industry.

Industry is limited by available models or your scratch-building skills.

Available models determine trackwork requirements.

Because of your available space, you will have to make a few compromises.

I have written a primer for starting your design. You can access it in my signature.  

 

[bighead]

ok thanks! :] anyother suggestions will also be welcomed... :]

[rrlcommish]

In the Atlas "Beginners Guide to Model Railroading", the first four track plans are 4x6 (if you can squeeze in one more foot), and all are well designed for such limited space.  I actually started with plan HO-2, the Dispatcher's Delight, and I found it to be a very entertaining plan for the space (I modified it slightly, but it's essentially the same).  It allows for much switching, yet also allowing for just running trains continuously.   If you are clever with hills and scenery, you can make trains "disappear" as well.  I think those plans are also available in one or two other Atlas publications.  Give them a look.  Good luck!

[bighead]

thanx i appricate it

[nyc4me]

I'm between layouts. I'll get started on a 4x10 or 4x12 HO layout in our new house soon. But in the meantime, two days ago I put together a 4x4 site and put down some track, 18" radius and a short straight piece.  At least I can run trains, tune locos etc for club visits, and see my forgotten skills at laying track for one thing. My point is, go ahead and lay some track and run some trains, ideas will come to you as you see how things work or don't work out, depending on what you want. I like possibility of continuous running left to right with yard to left and industries as they seem to fit in.  Yep, collect ideas from this forum too. Great help! Have fun!

[bighead]

what u were saying about the indrustrys and train yard that is what i was planing and yes i am running some trains and thinking . thanks you for your feedback. :]

[pcarrell]

Conincidently, I designed a 5x4 HO layout for a friend just last fall!  There's not much room to work with, but here's what we ended up with.

[bighead]

well thankyou very much thats funny. haha well i'll look at it and have some fun working with it

[Texas Zepher]

Conincidently, I designed a 5x4 HO layout for a friend ... here's what we ended up with.

I don't think he meant ha ha as in funny humor, but ha ha funny as in coincidence that you had just done this.   I think that is a very nice layout for this tiny space.  The only thing I think I would change would be to add a curved turnout and switchback on the siding inside the loop.

[pcarrell]

TZ, you're probably right on the humor.

 

The only thing I think I would change would be to add a curved turnout and switchback on the siding inside the loop.

Hey, that's good!

[bighead]

yes TZ is right.

[Zandoz]

Another potential 4x5er here...but in N scale.  Any leads on plans I could look over for inspiration would be appreciated.

 Oh yeah...Continious running, and curves sufficient for 85' passenger cars not to look too bad on the main are my general requirements...and I'm not big on grades (past HO horrors still haunt there).

[SpaceMouse]

Instead of "hijacking" this thread, Zandoz, you really should start your own. That way the focus of the thread is not split.

[pcarrell]

Bighead, I almost forgot, I have this one too.

Zandoz, You're welcome to look at all of my plans to get some ideas if you like.

http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/

 

[bighead]

thankyou i'll take a look at al these  ideas and play around with my track.

[Zandoz]

Instead of "hijacking" this thread, Zandoz, you really should start your own. That way the focus of the thread is not split.

 

Sorry.  I did not realize asking about 4x5 layouts in a thread about 4x5 layouts would be hijacking.

[Zandoz]

Thanks!   A lot of great looking plans there to study.  It looks like there's likely to be potentially useful ideas even in the larger plans.

[bighead]

what program do u use to make a "model" of your layout that u can post? i'm not sure how to do thati'm also not sure how to make a floor plan to show what the room looks like eather any help?

[pcarrell]

I use mostly the Atlas RTS 7.0 program thats a free download ( http://www.atlasrr.com/righttrack.htm ).  It's pretty limited, but it gets the job done, and its relatively easy to use.  I then import the image as a bitmap into MS paint and make it "pretty" and convert to a jpg.  Then I upload to my hosting site and post it.

 Another free download of track planning software is XtrakCad ( http://www.sillub.com/ ).  Its a lot more powerful, but more difficult to use.

Whichever of these programs you use, you have to register them (also free) in order to unlock all of the capabilities.

Some other links you might find helpful are:

http://ldsig.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Primer

http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/index.html

http://www.trainplayer.com/Site2/Kalmbach%20Plans.html

http://www.trainplayer.com/Site2/User%20Track%20Plans.html

http://www.trainplayer.com/Site2/Baustert%20Gallery.html

http://carendt.com/microplans/intro.html

http://www.nmra.org/

http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train2.htm

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot Chip's (Spacemouse) excellent tutorial.  (Sorry Chip)

http://www.chipengelmann.com/trains/Beginner/BeginnersGuide01.html

 

[SpaceMouse]

Another free download of track planning software is XtrakCad ( http://www.sillub.com/ ).  Its a lot more powerful, but more difficult to use.

I disagree. It is a tad more difficult to learn--takes an evening of watching tutorials--but once you get it, it is far easier to use than Atlas.

For instance:

I can build a yard in 20-30 seconds. Erase it. Then build another with a slightly different angle in another 20-30 seconds.

You can create a parallel curved track with one click.  

And of all the design programs out there it is the most intuitive. If you think something should be able to be done, it probably can and easily.

BigHead

If I haven't mentioned it before, there's a beginner's guide to layout design in my signature. Take 5 minutes and give it a read. It may save you a bunch of time and money.   

 

 

[pcarrell]

Maybe I'm just not proficiant enough with that program Chip.  I know you use it a lot and you're quite good with it.  I just can't seem to grasp it the way I do the Atlas one.  I find that one to be a piece of cake (Yes, even the flex track tool once you know the secret).

[bighead]

i'm sorry space mouse i had forggoten to read it befor. i read it. thankyou it helps :}