Tiny Layout - Continuous Run Vs. Switching

[Anonymous]

Thinking about making a small layout. Trying to figure out if I should work hard to try have a continuous run - i.e. super sharp unscenicked return loops on an HO layout, or an oval shaped N scale layout with the back portion of the oval hidden.

Do those of you with a tiny layout find continuous running worth the effort? I'm thinking I may be better off with a timesaver type layout instead.

I've been thinking about getting back into MRR'ing for a while now. The time committment is what's killing me. So I better start (and maybe stay) small!

So for a super tiny layout (2ft x 8ft, etc.) would those of you who built such small layouts recommend a smaller scale with continuous run, or just forgetting about continuous and going with a nice looking switching layout?

I may also consider a double decker - small switching layout on one deck, and a traction layout with continuous running on the other.

[Pennsy58]

As I got back into the hobby about a year ago, I built a switching layout in HO. I am increasingly wishing that a train could go all the way around instead of just back and forth. So expansion appears to be in my future. If you are starting that small at 2x8 I think it pretty much restricts you as to your options.

[mondotrains]

Well, all I can say is if it is at all possible, get enough space to provide for continuous running. I'm 56 years old and just sat down at the computer after running a new engine I received in the mail today. It was fun to watch it run around and around, just like my American Flyer train ran around and around on my first layout back in 1953.

Remember too that when friends, family and especially kids come to see your trains, they won't be that interested in watching a switching layout. They will want to watch trains run around and around too.

Hope this helps.
Mondo

[Anonymous]

Two words:

N. Scale.

I fit a basic layout with curves wide enough for 90' cars in 4x5 feet. 2x8 feet would be good enough for regular size curves (11"), but 2 1/2x8' would be room for good size curves :)

[egmurphy]

While you may get a lot of opinions, it's hard for anyone to recommend what you should do since you're the only one who really knows how you feel.

I'm in N, and normally I recommend looking at N for anyone with space problems. I'm not trying to convert anyone, but it does lend itself to those of us who are spatially challenged.

Take a look at the following link which has a lot of track plans for small N scale layouts. While your size is different, you might find something that you can stretch or expand to fill the space available.

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

You can do switching in N too. You're not limited to running them around in circles. [:D]

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

My little HO pike is about 2' X 12'. We also have a problem devoting time to it. So I made a flat switching layout. It got us up and running trains in a short period of time. Scenicing and detailing industrial areas is easy, and we do it as we go along.

I do wish I could have made the ends bigger so the trains could have a continious loop, just for more fun (would that be a dogbone?). But space is also tight, as the layout is in my little home office.

So, alot of switching is a definate for my sons and I, but it would be a nice extra to have a continuous loop or two. Starting small also makes it easy to have everything in absolutely perfect operating order ....track, switches, etc

Jim

[Anonymous]

To be more specific, I want a shelf type layout. 2 x 8 is just a number I threw out there. I could make a larger layout in the garage, but I have a feeling I'd enjoy it more if it was a smaller layout in my home office. i.e. - I'd actually work on it because I'm in my home office all the time, I wouldn't have the dust problems associated with the garage (no, I'm not going to re-fini***he garage just for a layout).

If I go HO, a traction layout could fill the desire for a continuous run.

Or, I could go N scale and have a continuous run on something only 2 feet wide. That's pretty tempting.

There was an article in MR years ago, where on a 4 x 8, this guy had a helix that went down into the layout, then came back up - leaving a lot of room for staging. In N scale, I could do that in probably 2.5 feet wide.

I am struggling to choose between HO & N!

[Roadtrp]

I model in 'N' scale and am very happy with it because it allows continuous run in a relatively small space.

'N' scale is not real conducive to switching operations, so if that is what you are looking for I would stay with 'HO'. If continuous run is your preference, I believe 'N' is really your only option.

[orsonroy]

I model in both HO and N. My home layout is HO, but since all my modeling buddies are into N (as well as my father!), I've built a few Ntrak modules. It seemed that the only time I ran N scale trains was when we had our (infrequent) Ntrak meets. Buying and building N scale stuff seemed like a waste of time and money.

So my latest modules, which I just started building, will feature the three Ntrak mainlines running through the center of two 2x4 modules, while I build a continuous run "high line". I'm planning for a mountainous coal mining theme, with a mainline running around the perimeter and a mine branch running upwards towards three mines. A steep downgrade and two track marshalling yard will connect my little layout with the Ntrak mains.

When complete, the layout will give me the opportunity to run N scale trains at home, and then take the layout on the road. Seems to me to be the best of both worlds!

and yes, I'm wholly in favor of continuous running, except for the largest of layouts. Even my rather big HO layout, which is a 12x25 three level monster, has continuous running on the top level.

[DSchmitt]

You could build a portable switching layout in the office and have some other sections in the garage so that you can go out there and set up a continuous loop, incorporating the switching layout, when you feel like it. The sections in the garage could be designed to fit in a cabinet so they are out of the way and can be kept reasonably clean when not in use.

With todays building techniques and materials light strong sections are possible so set up and tear down doesn't have to be a big chore.

[Hawks05]

i have a 4x8, i have one main loop then 2 turnouts, nothing special since i can't do much. i wanted to loops but it didn't work out the way i had planned. its fun but takes a long time for me to switch freight cars around.

i'd like to do swtiching but i have no room anymore.

pick what you'd like to do more of and go with that.

[Anonymous]

Good idea to build a small layout in the house, because it will give you something to run while you renovate the garage to fill with your future layout!

I was planning a small N scale layout but the more I planned, the larger it grew. Now I'm planning an additional HO switching layout about the size you mentioned to use the equipment I already have. The switching layout will have the trackwork completed quickly and offer an opportunity for super detailing cars and a few structures that I don't forsee on my larger N scale layout.

Wayne

[vsmith]

Check out Carl Arendt's micro-layout website for ideas

www.carendt.com

[Anonymous]

DSchmidtt - nice idea!

I could have sort of a portable module that I could hook up to a loop in the garage for continuous running. Very interesting...

[DSchmitt]

Lightweight construction is important. I was doing it with NTRAK modules 10-20 years ago and taking them to train shows too. But now that I'm older and have some health problems my old modules are too heavy for me move easily.

[Jetrock]

My first foray back into model railroading was a 3x6 foot HO layout, with 9-12" radius curves primarily intended for trolley and very short diesel operation. I enjoyed running trains in a circle for a while but felt that it wasn't what I was looking for, and currently my pike is a switching layout--and even when it reaches Stage II completion, 18 feet long, it will be point-to-point. I have considered adding balloon tracks at either end (with an auto-reversing mechanism) to permit continuous runs (and simulate north>south traffic) but that's a ways off.

A lot depends on what you like more--if you're really into switching, you can include switching on a loop of track too. But if you really, really have to have the layout be less than 3 feet wide, and like HO, you're probably better off with a shelf layout. Remember that you can always make that shelfer part of a larger loop later on.

[BRJN]

If you are clever, you could build a 2x6 switching layout with a partial viewblock in back, then put a dogbone on the ends and one track against the back of the switching layout. This allows the 'main line' in the switching layout to complete the dogbone. I hope you can visualize what I am trying to describe. A 18" radius HO loop needs a 36" square base (prefer 40" so the train doesn't fall off the edge of the universe) and this could be put in a hard-to-reach corner of the room. The other end of the dogbone may stick out towards the middle of the room, though.

Another possibility would be to build a literal circle of track at something like 6 feet off the floor. You will listen to the train more than you see it; this is restful if not too spectacular to view. Maybe you could scenic it as an elevated track through downtown?

I also like the idea of a traction or interurban theme to allow a 'train' to turn around in a 2 foot diameter. Put a big factory along one of the short sides and place that laser-cut GE sign (see Walthers catalog) on the roof; this provides a ready-made customer for both the traction and the switching layout to share.

[rexhea]

Go to the Garage! Take away all the limitations your talking about. Once you get started, you'll want more.
Your garage finishing doesn't have to look like a house. Just do what you need to cool in summer and keep warm in the winter. Heck, I wish my home office was in the garage [:D]
REX

[BNSF_Eric]

It really depends what you're into. I had a larger HO layout that I could never seem to get excited about. Now, due to a move, I'm temporarily down to a 2x6 in HO. Since I love to switch and build detailed scenes, I'm having MORE fun in LESS space.

I've taken my detailing to a new level, even putting "fishplates" on the sides of the rails to make my code 83 track look like old, jointed rail. To break in new locos, I'll buy enough Kato Unitrack (or some other manufacturer's equivalent) to make a circle and get the locos run in before they hit the layout.

Is this kind of thing something that appeals to you? If not, you should probably go with a continuous run. That can be a lot of fun, too.

[STANLEY O MONTGOMERY]

I also stated back into hobby with n scale I tried unitracks new 6 inch curve and made oval on a 13inch wide 4 foot long module with 1 siding 3 spur and town tracing curve you can also use atlas flex track. you can still enjoy everything that a big layout has plus room to expand

[steamage]

During my younger years I moved around a lot so no layout was possible. But I did build a module for photos, 9"x 5' set on shelf brackets. It was finished road bed with a small bridge, later I added several limit switches at track ends and a ice cube relay so an engine would go back and fourth slowly over the modules five foot length.
A second module was built same size having three tracks, main line and serving industry (low relief flats).  When I did get my layout room to build more shelf (18"wide modules) layout to eventually go around the room. Nowadays the layout is an oval as a long siding and a short piece of single track, with several branches in  a 9'x 22' room. Lots of switching with 4 jobs, if I want to run a passenger train it can go at a realistic speed. Kids like to watch the trains run fast around the oval. I learned; do what you can and keep building.

[tstage]

Nothing like blowing the dust off of a 9+ year old thread...

[Texas Zepher]

tstage

Nothing like blowing the dust off of a 9+ year old thread...

I don't mind old threads.  That was just about when I joined the forum.   I remember at that time reading through all the posts all the way back to the beginning of time.   I presume that would be almost impossible today considering the increased volumes....

[Kyle]

I have a HO scale train set that is continous running (it's and oval), but I prefer a switching layout which I am planning on completing in 2014.  I have operated a small switching layout, and I really enjoyed it, my ez track oval on the floor gets boring after a while (it is a train going in a circle, you and it really doesn't do much, just the same thing.  I would go with switching.  HO is also a lot better than N (see HO verus N scale topic).

[richhotrain]

tstage

Nothing like blowing the dust off of a 9+ year old thread...

It should be against the law, especially if it is your first post.

Only a newbie would do this.  

Rich

[tstage]

At least he didn't resurrect the post...then flame it.

[richhotrain]

tstage

At least he didn't resurrect the post...then flame it.

True, but we could, Tom. 

You go first.   

Rich

[Texas Zepher]

richhotrain

It should be against the law, especially if it is your first post.

Only a newbie would do this. 

Really?  I am guessing there are some really good threads in there that would be much better reviving and expanding instead of reposting new ones just because of the date on them.

[richhotrain]

Well, in that case, TZ, maybe you start reviving each and every old post out there.  You never know what good stuff may turn up.  

Rich

[7j43k]

Hey, OP!

 

It's been almost 10 years.  What didya decide?

 

 

 

Ed