In Florida we do not have basements only sinkholes and garages . Mine is in 4 modules that are on wheels so when the wife wants to bring her car in I move the modules into half of the garage and she has the other half to park the car. When she pulls out for a week or more I wheel the modules out connect them up and I have the entire garage, a bit of work for me but that is life in sunny fl.
Bob D As long as you surface as many times as you dive you`ll be alive to read these posts.
I do not have a room that I could dedicate to a layout, nor do I have the funds to build such an empire. My N scale layout consists of mini modules which I can assemble on my desk and which are stored on a shelf above it when not in use. Assembly is one in less than 5 minutes. The modular system lets me rearrange the layout into any configuration I want to have, from a simple oval to a point-to- point layout. Think of it as playing with dominoes. Each module does not take more than 2 or 3 days to build.
More info can be found here
Sorry, it´s in Japanese, but the pics show the story behind.
Galaxy, I had to wait 22 1/2 years to get to the point where I could build my layout. If I hadn't been wounded and forced to retire from the service I don't believe my layout would even exist right now. I figured this was going to be the last layout I was going to build and decided to do it right and not cut corners on what I wanted. Trust me I spent many a night thinking about having a large layout and wishing I had one to enjoy. I stockpiled cars and engines as well as building while I waited for my chance to build my dream layout. I sometimes find myself looking at the layout and having to remind myself it's mine and it's real and not a dream. It brings me a lot of peace of mind where I can unwind and forget about everything and focus on the world I am building in my barn. Can you build a pole barn where you live? If so you could build your layout right there and begin to realize your dream.
Ray
My layout is in the dumpster, has been for about a year and the buildings, locos, rolling stock and anything salvageable is packed away in boxes.
Cheers
Roger T.
Home of the late Great Eastern Railway see: - http://www.greateasternrailway.com
For more photos of the late GER see: - http://s94.photobucket.com/albums/l99/rogertra/Great_Eastern/
The backyard, far enough when I need to escape, yet close enough to keep the Mrs. happy.
San Dimas Southern slideshow
I have stolen part of the messy garage. The wife never said I could but as the old saying goes: "It is better to ask for forgiveness than for permission."
--Zak Gardner
My Layout Blog: http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com
http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net
VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW
Mine will be built in my bedroom. I too live in a apartment but, as I am retired and on disability. I have a limited income and therefore share my apartment. If you would like more on my plans have a look at this thread, http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/189308.aspx?PageIndex=1
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
My Train Page My Photobucket Page My YouTube Channel
Current one is in a small 6.5 x 11.5 (minus a chimney foundation) room on the lower floor of a two story town house apartment. The room is also used for storage and for my little workshop (except that I take things which makes too much dust or smell outside):
A smaller one consisting of two 4' x 10.5" sections is being built to take to meets is being built on the living room dining table:
Here is a temporary birthday setup in a corner of our living room for our youngest son's birthday a few years ago (in the background a 2' deep and 7 foot long shelf for me):
We've also had a 105 cm x 160 cm (41" x 62") plywood pacific with a Märklin loop of track on (ie about 14" radius curves) on in our youngest son's bedroom. Don't have any pictures of that.
Here are some pictures of an N scale 8' x 1' layout a fellow forumite who is a little more shy about posting in public is building along a wall in his house, between a wall and a doorway:
One of my favorite track plans (by forum member Robert Beaty) is this 7 x 9 foot corner layout - which includes a plausible scenery plan, not just tracks:
It is often possible to build something somewhere, even if you have little space available.
Smile,Stein
B&O SteamDemon Galaxy, I had to wait 22 1/2 years to get to the point where I could build my layout. If I hadn't been wounded and forced to retire from the service I don't believe my layout would even exist right now. I figured this was going to be the last layout I was going to build and decided to do it right and not cut corners on what I wanted. Trust me I spent many a night thinking about having a large layout and wishing I had one to enjoy. I stockpiled cars and engines as well as building while I waited for my chance to build my dream layout. I sometimes find myself looking at the layout and having to remind myself it's mine and it's real and not a dream. It brings me a lot of peace of mind where I can unwind and forget about everything and focus on the world I am building in my barn. Can you build a pole barn where you live? If so you could build your layout right there and begin to realize your dream. Ray
Oh, to wish, perchance to dream....
I can't have a pole barn where I live as I live in a trailer in a trailer park. We DO have a 10x12 shed but it is filled with other necessities such as lawnmower and other stuff we don't know what to do with.
We finally are in a position to purchase a MRRing space with a house covering it, but our price point is a bit low for what we really want. Inventory around here is low also as people who would move up to larger or newer homes are instead hanging on to what they have. According to the RE agent there is usually a surge of listings this time of year, but not this year. Yet, anyway. THEN I will have a basement I will have to share with My Other Half {MOH} as MOH is also into trains- only I am in HO and MOH is into N scale. I would be seriously happy with a 4 x 8 at this point, but willhave to wait a bit.
I don't think I really want a monstrosity layout anyway. Any Pole Barn we would build on the property would actually be a garage for actually housing our two minivans, and not a layout or two.
I am fortunate that MOH is into trains as well as many vacations we take are to tourist railroads that run steam trains, and there is never an argument about going to the LHS!! Money is tight for us though, so we have to watch that, but otherwise we do fine.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Uncbob wrote: Mine is in a 6 1/2 by 12 1/2 room in my basement that I partitioned off from my wood working shop Needless to say BOTH are cramped But you deal with what you have and I don't want to give up my cabinet making hobby other wise I could have had a 12 1/2 by 18 foot room 51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
Uncbob wrote:
Mine is in a 6 1/2 by 12 1/2 room in my basement that I partitioned off from my wood working shop
Needless to say BOTH are cramped
But you deal with what you have and I don't want to give up my cabinet making hobby other wise I could have had a 12 1/2 by 18 foot room
51% share holder in the ME&O ( Wife owns the other 49% )
Non-model railroaders call them basements; railroaders call 'em "train rooms" Mine's in the "train room", too, Bob.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
ATLANTIC CENTRAL CTValleyRR: Mine is in my (unfortunately) unfinished basement. Knowing the drawbacks of this arrangement, I'll gladly accept a donation of $50K to finish it, because that's kind of outside of my budget at the moment. Why or how could it possibly cost $50K to finish a basement to the level needed for a model railroad? Install a drop ceiling and some good lighting, paint the walls and floor, partion off just those areas not associated with the train room (utilities, laundry, etc.) Even in a large basement that should not cost more than $8K (or less) to do yourself or maybe $15K if you hire someone. Sheldon
CTValleyRR: Mine is in my (unfortunately) unfinished basement. Knowing the drawbacks of this arrangement, I'll gladly accept a donation of $50K to finish it, because that's kind of outside of my budget at the moment.
Mine is in my (unfortunately) unfinished basement.
Knowing the drawbacks of this arrangement, I'll gladly accept a donation of $50K to finish it, because that's kind of outside of my budget at the moment.
Why or how could it possibly cost $50K to finish a basement to the level needed for a model railroad?
Install a drop ceiling and some good lighting, paint the walls and floor, partion off just those areas not associated with the train room (utilities, laundry, etc.)
Even in a large basement that should not cost more than $8K (or less) to do yourself or maybe $15K if you hire someone.
Sheldon
Sheldon, my guess is the balance of the $50K would be to "finish" the rest of the layout, as well.
In our basement. My wife was kind and allowed me to remove a wall between two rooms for which I forever will be greatful. However. I can't help but notice there is a lot more wasted basement space being used for things other than the train.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Dear Sir: My layout is located in a 11 ft by 21 ft rental unit in Jacksonville, Florida These units are rented to those with hobbies, carpenters, gun smiths, clock makers, etc. There are a number of rental companies that rent these spaces in Jax. I built a large layout for a man in Lelanau, Michigan, that he installed in a 20 ft by 30 ft. building ,built just for the layout.
The Ferroequinologist layoutconcepts@yahoo.com eBay store: Backshop Train & China Store Facebook: Model Trains, Train Sets, Buildings & Layout Concepts
BerkshireSteam Looking at where to put a layout in my apartment so I can start planning the benchwork, I am left with two choices, (a corner of the living room, and a corner of the spare bedroom), and it made me wonder, "where does everyone else put there's? I have heard of other layouts, like one of my options, being located in a spare bedroom. I have also heard of them being built in an attic room, in the basement, in the garage, and heck even in a large shed specifically built to house the layout with electricity and full HVAC. So, I ask, where is yours?
Looking at where to put a layout in my apartment so I can start planning the benchwork, I am left with two choices, (a corner of the living room, and a corner of the spare bedroom), and it made me wonder, "where does everyone else put there's?
I have heard of other layouts, like one of my options, being located in a spare bedroom. I have also heard of them being built in an attic room, in the basement, in the garage, and heck even in a large shed specifically built to house the layout with electricity and full HVAC.
So, I ask, where is yours?
I've had layouts in 14 of the 20 houses I have lived in. Since most of the houses did not have a suitable basement, a spare bedroom or in part of the family room were the most common locations.
Probably the most unusual location was a rather large Lionel layout on the floor of a semi-finished attic. An electric space heater was used to heat the space in winter. In the summer, it was just plain hot - Northern Virginia with no A/C. And always on your knees with a floor layout - i didn't mind, I was young then. The layout gave way to HO and a space in the basement family room when more kids meant finishing the attic into bedrooms.
A caution about layouts in living spaces. Establish before you start construction ground rules for how tidy and presentable the layout must be between work sessions. Nothing will sour my better half more quickly than my making a space unpresentable for guests for more than a week at a time. This is especially true if the layout is in the guest bedroom, office, family room, or living room. I have learned to keep my end of the bargain by scheduling 30 minutes of clean-up time as part of the work session. And if I don't have the 30 minutes clean-up, then there is no work session. Painting the benchwork before or as it is assembled goes a long way towards keeping her happy.
For shelf layouts, I have found building an upper shelf first enables me to hang skirting or some kind of decorative cover to hide the layout shelf until it reaches a presentable appearance. The upper shelf serves as the lighting mount and fascia, and storage for my mr books and supplies. Blue or pink foam, or bare Homasote doesn't cut it for public appearances of the layout. Just a coat of paint and a layer of ground cover makes all the difference. And the difference is between good and no support for my hobby. She very much wants to see the trains that I spent all this money on on display at the very least. To her, keeping them stored in boxes means they need to be sold.
As an example, I have been granted rights to a small bedroom in the finished basement in the current house. It has to also hold my office, my hobby work bench, and a recumbent exercise bike. And be able to be converted back to a bedroom at reasonable cost when it is time to go. The sliding closet doors have been removed and the closet converted into my office with computer work station. Unfortunately, I opened my big mouth before thinking, and suggested painting the walls a light blue before I realized the backdrop would cover the existing mustard covered walls on the layout sections. She now wants to know when I'm going to paint the walls.
One other thing I have learned over the years - 4x8s or other rectangular islands generally are a very poor choice for a spare bedroom unless the spare room can be solely reserved as a layout room. The island just dominates the entire room. And all too often, the 4x8 had to be cut down to 4x7 or 4x6 just to leave adequate aisles in the small spare room. This time, remembering my youth and my Christmas tree layouts, I am building a small portable loop to be a test track set on what ever table is handy. The real layout is a "linked up" shelf layout.
my thoughts and experiences, your choices
Fred W
Medina1128 ATLANTIC CENTRAL: CTValleyRR: Mine is in my (unfortunately) unfinished basement. Knowing the drawbacks of this arrangement, I'll gladly accept a donation of $50K to finish it, because that's kind of outside of my budget at the moment. Why or how could it possibly cost $50K to finish a basement to the level needed for a model railroad? Install a drop ceiling and some good lighting, paint the walls and floor, partion off just those areas not associated with the train room (utilities, laundry, etc.) Even in a large basement that should not cost more than $8K (or less) to do yourself or maybe $15K if you hire someone. Sheldon Sheldon, my guess is the balance of the $50K would be to "finish" the rest of the layout, as well.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: CTValleyRR: Mine is in my (unfortunately) unfinished basement. Knowing the drawbacks of this arrangement, I'll gladly accept a donation of $50K to finish it, because that's kind of outside of my budget at the moment. Why or how could it possibly cost $50K to finish a basement to the level needed for a model railroad? Install a drop ceiling and some good lighting, paint the walls and floor, partion off just those areas not associated with the train room (utilities, laundry, etc.) Even in a large basement that should not cost more than $8K (or less) to do yourself or maybe $15K if you hire someone. Sheldon
First of all, yes, I would be hiring a general contractor to do the work, so that's a lot of the cost right there. Although I have the skills to do it myself, I don't have the time, unless I want the project to drag on for years and years.
And secondly, I'm not talking about finishing the basement into a "minimum standard for a model railroad". I'm talking about finishing and furnishing the basement, including a half bath and a kids playroom in the half that's not being used for trains. I have some water issues which would need to be addressed before I could finish it, and the quote for that work alone is $3500 -- both to eliminate the seepage and to remove the sump pump and the need for constant dehumidification.
And perhaps I should have said "semi-finished" basement, because the walls and floor are already painted, and I have covered the insulation to minimize dust.
So, yes, it's a high-end estimate, but I'm not looking to do the bare minimum, either. I'm looking to do it right.
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
Around 2 walls of my office, though it's not much of a layout yet and won't be until I figure out where I'm going to be living in 6 months
Sean
HO Scale CSX Modeler
I don't have a "Home" layout anymore. Not that i don't or wouldn't mind one, I have use of my club layout that is 10 minutes away.
I am so amazed at how inovative and creative all the posters are as to setting up layouts under all sorts of conditions. I guess w/ such dedication and devotion to the "love" of our hobby we will always find a way. Over the years I've admired the skills of so many whether it is their basement empire, shelf layout or a module. Even those w/o a layout just preparing for it someday by acquiring equipment, skills and/or building some of those fantastic structures and detailing and weathering equipment. Keep up the great work!
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
When I was in the service there were a few of us that were in the hobby and we would talk about either the layout we had or the dream layout we wanted to have and how we would build it and it's theme. a few of us were able to achieve our dreams.
In here (second floor). I built it to recreate a historic blacksmith shop on my property. A pretty expensive train room but it does also hold my truck, tools and other projects . 30 x 16 feet, insulated and heated.
My first three layouts were in an unfinished attic. This time I did it right.
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
Two car garage. I have lived here 18 years. The cars have never been in here.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Mine's in that space called the dining room on the floor plan. No one uses dining rooms these days anyhow. The only problem is that also has become SWMBO's sewing/quilting/pillow making/art/pet/&everythingelse room.
Chuck, have you thought about either an electric water heater or an outside tankless? Might be a small price to pay to get HVAC into the train room.
Problem: one tiny bachelor apartment. Solution? Well, I was up in the air about what to do, until I realized that this was the answer - a ceiling train! Basically a shelf, 6 inches wide, 13.4" from the ceiling, with dioramas in the corners.
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0]
[View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0][View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0][View:http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/themes/trc/utility/:550:0]
I have a spot in the basement about 10x13. It's still in the planning stage. I plan to make it a double decker to make the most of my space.
Mine is in a spare bedroom. I have a basement, but my house was built in 1895 and the basement is like a dungeon. The cost to try and make it a livable space is more than what I want to spend for a hobby. The spare room is nice with carpeting and a temperature that varies little throughout the year.
Eric
Mine is in my "two car" garage. Actually it is more like a car and half..ok it would hold two Smart cars..ok maybe not.. it has part of the stairs taking up space.. maybe it is more like two MG midgets garage.. Actually the space between my layout and the stairs area is just the perfect height for the WS tunnel portals is not part of my mountain.
My Heartland Division of the CB&Q is a fictional division of the Burlington Route. It is located in my 64' long layout room in the lower level of our house. The lower level could also be called a walkout basement, and the house is on a hillside.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
My wife has the 90'x120' pole barn for her horse arena. I have a 25'x17' former garage as a train room. I had my contractor son-in-law take out the garage door and build a wall that looks like a garage door on the outside. He insulated the walls, installed switched electrical circuits, a lighting circuit, a new electric water heater and tapped into the forced air heating and cooling system. After I coved the corners and painted the walls, ceiling and floor, it is bright, clean and just a very enjoyable place to work. The concrete floor is a little hard on the feet (and the knees, when crawling under the benchwork), however I've found that a couple of strategically placed exercise mats are a good temporary solution while I'm still in the messy construction stages. Later I intend to install carpet. We have a rediculously large master bedroom and the wife lets me keep my workbench and piano in one corner.
My last layout resides at the local landfill. Should I hit either the Powerball or MegaMillions this week my next one will reside in its own dedicated building. Barring that it will continue to reside in my imagination for awhile.
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
My wife got the urge to add a garage to our house. I thought for about 30 microseconds and suggested that we build a two-story garage with a train room above the cars. When it was done, it turned out "too nice," so the train room became a "family room." I got part of it for my layout, which was fine, because it forced me to think a bit smaller and actually complete the 5x12 foot layout which I now refer to as Phase 1. Now that our daughter is in college and there's a smaller TV in the sunroom that my wife actually prefers, I've been given permission to expand the layout, so Phase 2 is well underway.
Carpet, heating and air conditioning are nice, while the "crew lounge" still has the larger TV.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I'm in the same situation as Galaxy. Small 2 bedroom apartment without any shelf space and the possibility of having kids in the next few years. So the decision was made to make it a shortline that will be small and portable (hence the railroad name).
It's going to be a 66 inch by 45 inch tabletop loop of track on 3 22 x 45 inch sections. It will have 18 inch radius curves, but that's okay since I like small 4 axle locomotives and short line Incentive Per Diem cars.
__________________________________________________________________
Mike Kieran
Port Able Railway
I just do what the majority of the voices in my head vote on.