1)What scale do you model? HO
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? 45 sq. ft. 3)How long in feet is your mainline? 16 ft.
4)Do you run a single track main or more? Single track
5)Roughly what era do you model? Contemporary
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? 2 locomotives, 15 cars.
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? 25 mph.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run?
18 in curves, 18 in average, longest cars are HO scale grain cars.
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc.
1) HO
2) The room is 28ftx32ft. Layout fills room.3) Approx 500ft
4) Mostly single track main but there is a 70ft stretch of double track main
5) 1957
6) Not sure, but I think I have approx 50 locomotives.
7) 40 MPH on the mainline (8"/sec)
8) Minimum mainline radius is 40". Average is 40". Minimum radius of secondary track is 32". Longest cars are 85ft passenger cars.
9) Layout is a loop to loop across three levels with about 500 ft of mainline between return loops.
Modeling an HO gauge freelance version of the Union Pacific Oregon Short Line and the Utah Railway around 1957 in a world where Pirates from the Great Salt Lake founded Ogden, UT.
- Photo album of layout construction -
1) HO scale
2) Room 24x24
3) Ultimately 150 ft
4) Single main
5) 1900-1905
6) About 200 cars and 20 engines
7) Vmax is set between 50 and 75% of max.
8) 19" min (industrial) 24-27" normal.
9) Point to point around the walls with both switching and running.
Questions you didn't ask:
10) NCE DCC, both radio and tethered throttles
11) Car cards and waybills
12) Dark railroad with TT&TO operation.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
1)What scale do you model - HO
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? 45 sq ft3)How long in feet is your mainline? Not sure, I have not measured. I'd guess around 25ft, but I could be completely wrong.
4)Do you run a single track main or more? single track
5)Roughly what era do you model? 1960s or modern day.
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? American = 3 locos and about 30 pieces of rolling stock
European (Marklin) Around 6 locos, around 70 pieces of rolling stock, and two Train Sets (ICE 2 and a NS Class 4200)
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? Around 20-30 mph
Minimus is 22 on switches, mainline is 24. Average is 24 I guess. Longest cars are 85ft Hi- Levels
9)What type of layout do you have? Island - Primarily switching.
~Eastrail
BNSF UP and others modeler I have an idea. There is a lot of clear, simple information here that could be compiled into graphs, just for funsies. If that is of interest, I'll compile everyone's information into graphs and post them here.
I have an idea. There is a lot of clear, simple information here that could be compiled into graphs, just for funsies. If that is of interest, I'll compile everyone's information into graphs and post them here.
restorator BNSF UP and others modeler I have an idea. There is a lot of clear, simple information here that could be compiled into graphs, just for funsies. If that is of interest, I'll compile everyone's information into graphs and post them here. I think that would be very interesting to see in graphs and such. I think it would also be break down how many layouts are only in the designing phase, ones that are only a partial percentage bulit, and ones that are completed (or "almost" complete as one is never really "done" with a layout as things do get revised and changed after being accomplished!) Alos how many people are serious collectors even without an actual layout. I do both as I have and will definately continue to buy items I like even if they may never see actual use on the tracks. Lets keep this going. This info could be very useful to the hobby media and manufacturers.
I agree, graphs would be cool to see. Maybe we could calculate the average ratio of locos to cars too?
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
restoratorAlos how many people are serious collectors even without an actual layout. I do both as I have and will definately continue to buy items I like even if they may never see actual use on the tracks
I do that too. In 3 scales yet.
But really serious collectors have plans and usually focus on particular areas like getting one of every Tyco boxcar produced or every Southern model. I once shared an office with a guy who collected N&W in N scale. He bought everything N&W in N. (Although he also bought other stuff that appealed to him.) He had no layout and no intention of having one, just a circle of track to test run his locomotives.
In comparison, I'm just a casual collector.
Paul
1)What scale do you model? N
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? 1353)How long in feet is your mainline? 65' not including helix and staging
4)Do you run a single track main or more? double with some triple
5)Roughly what era do you model? today
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? 250/20
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? <35
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? 16.5", 89' autoracks
9)What type of layout do you have? G (Around the walls with peninsula)
You should have asked about stage of construction. I'm about 75% finished with benchwork.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
I'm fairly surprised with the answers about speed. I run at less than 25mph but didn't expect so many others to run close to that. I don't see 50mph or greater highball responses.
- Douglas
Doughless I'm fairly surprised with the answers about speed. I run at less than 25mph but didn't expect so many others to run close to that. I don't see 50mph or greater highball responses.
I have some Lionels that I can run fast when I want speed.
1)What scale do you model? : N - Scale
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? : 672 sq/ft.3)How long in feet is your mainline? : about 150 ft.
4)Do you run a single track main or more? Triple track main.
5)Roughly what era do you model? Steam to disel transistion.
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? : Rolling stock - 1000+ Locos - 50+ (Honestly I do not know exact numbers).
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? : I keep the scale speed on the main lines down to 45mph tops.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? : Main line radius min. is 16 in. with average about 24 in. longest feight train is 30 40ft. cars and a caboose.
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc. : due to my job we have moved out of the large home and put the layout in storage. The layout is an island type that is of modular construction.
That is how fast we are supposed to run, but thats for videos and op sessions. If you want to know the truth...
1)What scale do you model? N Scale
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? 625 SF dedicated room, about 450 SF of actual layout. The upper level and the lower level are both flat and are connected via helix and nolix. The helix drops about 12.5" through 3.5 turns, and the nolix drops another 6.5" over about 28 feet, for 19" separation between decks. The helix/nolix has a constant grade of 2 percent.3)How long in feet is your mainline? 170 feet.
4)Do you run a single track main or more? Double mainline throughout.
5)Roughly what era do you model? Modern (1975 to present)
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? I dunno, growing every day. Moderately large fleet, I guess.
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? 10 - 20 MPH in yards and sidings, about 50 - 60 MPH on the main.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? 19" min radius. Autoracks and passenger cars are the longest, about 85 scale feet.
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc Around-the-room folded dogbone walk-in with two peninsulas. Pretty much a classic G-shape. The upper level is basically scenery for rail-fanning, minor operations, and high-balling. I call it the world's largest diorama. The lower level is basically an 18-inch shelf layout about 50 feet long (when the folded dogbone is unfolded) and fully scenicked as a deep-water port that also serves as a large yard. At the far end of the lower yard is a (kinda) hidden stage/storage area with a teardrop reverse loop at the extreme end.
Robert
LINK to SNSR Blog
I've enjoyed this thread so far. It should be interesting to see if anyone comes up with a graph of the average sizes and speeds etc. So, here is my response:
1)Scale is HO.
2) 24 sq ft. (Temporary layout on dining room table)3)Around 14'.
4)Single track 5'x4' oval.
5)All eras
6)54 locos,(including B units and dummies) and 114 pieces of rolling stock.
7)Around 25 to 45 scale mph.
8)22" minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and the longest cars I run I'm thinking are about 85 scale feet.
9)Island-running.
Thanks for the cool thread, nice to see what everybody else is doing.
1) N scale
2) 30 sq. ft.
3) 36 ft. (twice around)
4) 20 ft. double 16 ft. Single Double track has Spurs on both sides to Industries.
5) Transitional era / change-her up variation fleets on standby. (I like Green Machines and modern double stackers)
6) Appx. 20 locomotives, diesel and steam. One Great Northern Empire Builder passenger car set. Hundreds of Rolling Stock, I lost count.
7) Haven't got there yet, still modeling. If it's anything like my modeling, the speed will be slow.
8) 18 inch radius visible, 16 inch hidden. Mostly 40-foot freight cars, some 50. (83 ft passenger cars, That ought to be a treat to see)
9) 4 x 7 1/2 pull out
10) 2% grade max on main, 2.5 on one spur. Four levels (lowest overpass to highest), one U shape upper level of the four, unconnected to the rest.
1. HO
2. 1300 sq ft
3. 145’ on both decks (helix connected).
4. Single track for operational interest, the prototype I model is double tracked.
5. Summer of 2009.
6. 14 locos and 200+ cars. All cars support industries on the layout with very little “fluff”.
7. 5-45mph
8. 33” curves, a few 80+’ flatcars.
9. Around the walls and peninsulas two foot wide shelf layout, helix in center of both decks, with 4 track staging return loops at ends on both decks.
Harrison restorator BNSF UP and others modeler I have an idea. There is a lot of clear, simple information here that could be compiled into graphs, just for funsies. If that is of interest, I'll compile everyone's information into graphs and post them here. I think that would be very interesting to see in graphs and such. I think it would also be break down how many layouts are only in the designing phase, ones that are only a partial percentage bulit, and ones that are completed (or "almost" complete as one is never really "done" with a layout as things do get revised and changed after being accomplished!) Alos how many people are serious collectors even without an actual layout. I do both as I have and will definately continue to buy items I like even if they may never see actual use on the tracks. Lets keep this going. This info could be very useful to the hobby media and manufacturers. I agree, graphs would be cool to see. Maybe we could calculate the average ratio of locos to cars too?
Ok. I'll see what I can do. I might have to wait for everyone to finish posting on the thread first though...
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
restorator I think it would also be break down how many layouts are only in the designing phase, ones that are only a partial percentage bulit, and ones that are completed
.
How would we qualify my final layout? It is fully planned. I have built a full size model of the layout and built a test section to verify concept and material. I have also assembled and painted about 75% of the freight car and locomotive roster.
However, the room for the layout is not done, so not one twig of actual construction has happened yet.
Where am I?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
1)What scale do you model
- HO
2)How large in sq ft is your layout?
- Current is a 16 sq ft ISL. Plan for the big one will be roughly 90 square feet of floor space.3)How long in feet is your mainline?
- 15 feet currently, 94 feet planned.
4)Do you run a single track main or more?
- Single track with passing sidings where needed.
5)Roughly what era do you model?
- Mid-late 30's
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos?
- I currently have one operational steam loco (2-6-2), and one operational diesel (SW-1500), and 27 pieces of rolling stock.
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running?
- Under 20 mph.
- Both current and planned layouts have 18" minimums, and 20" on average. I could probably run 60 foot cars, but most of my rolling stock will be 40 footers or less.
- Shelf-type ISL currently. Plans for an around-the-walls point-to-point with one loop built in for continuous running, with a focus on operation.
- Adam
When all else fails, wing it!
SeeYou190 How would we qualify my final layout? It is fully planned. I have built a full size model of the layout and built a test section to verify concept and material. I have also assembled and painted about 75% of the freight car and locomotive roster. However, the room for the layout is not done, so not one twig of actual construction has happened yet. Where am I? . -Kevin .
I would say you have a collection, and an thorough investment in the concept and design stage, but in my personal opinion I don't really think a "railroad" actually exists until tracks hit the ground and cargo moves from place to place. Yeah, I know about paper corporations and all that in real life, but I doubt many would call them a "real railroad" if they arent actually hauling tonnage.
restoratorI would say you have a collection, and an thorough investment in the concept and design stage, but in my personal opinion I don't really think a "railroad" actually exists until tracks hit the ground and cargo moves from place to place. Yeah, I know about paper corporations and all that in real life, but I doubt many would call them a "real railroad" if they arent actually hauling tonnage.
I would completely agree. I have enjoyed personally having five fully operational layouts, but I do not have one now.
When the list is compiled, you should leave my data off.
1)What scale do you model HO
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? Its a 4x8, so 32sqft. 3)How long in feet is your mainline? I dunno, my layout is "The Virginian" track plan, MRR 2012 project layout.
4)Do you run a single track main or more? single track, see above.
5)Roughly what era do you model? I try to keep my fleet around 1950s.
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? Wow, after reading other replies I feel like a hoarder... I got 46 operational engines(19 with DCC sound), 20 passenger cars, and 70ish freight cars. I enjoy this hobby mostly for the "train restoration" aspect more than anything.
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? I try to keep it under 50.
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? 16, average 22. Longest are 85' Walthers cars modified to somehow magically run smoothly on 22" radius curves ;)
9)What type of layout do you have? 4x8 "The Virginian", take that how you will. Being a senior in high school, I only get a small space in the basement for my trains...hopefully one day I'll have more space for a large layout!
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
1. HO Scale
2. 220ish sq ft (roughly 12x18) plus staging
3. About 110'
4. Single
5. Late 1940's
6. Approximately 60 freight cars, 25 passenger cars, 17 locos.
7. Freight 35 mph, Passenger 60 mph.
8. Minimum radius 24", average 26", longest cars 85'
9. Around the walls, mix of running and switching, point to point with continuous run capability.
Mike
Trainman440I enjoy this hobby mostly for the "train restoration" aspect more than anything.
Wow, that is an aspect of the hobby I had not considered.
Last year I tried to put together my own research post into how we all enjoy the hobby differently, but I pulled the plug on the project because I was concerned it would tailspin into a "what is a REAL model railroader" debate.
I am glad this one is going so well.
SeeYou190 Wow, that is an aspect of the hobby I had not considered.
Yea, I find joy and pride in seeing engines that I purchase in shambles on Ebay running flawlessly on my track. This is why I don't weather my engines, in fact the opposite. I know its not realistic, but I'm not in this hobby for realism. I just fix engines in my free time. Although not as experienced as @DarthSantaFe or @DoctorWayne, I do my best!
Charles
Trainman440I just fix engines in my free time
I fix things for a living, so I guess that is why I hate to work on repairing model stuff.
If something breaks, I tend to retire it, and buy a replacement.
The exception is my brass locmotives, those I will work on, but they are very easy to work on.
I cannot even figure out how to get the shell off of some new diesel models!
Since some time has gone by, I wanted to resurect this poll and see if any people that havent yet seen it want to add to it
2) 40 sqft 10' x 9'3) 60ft
4) Double main
5) Today
6) 75+/12
7) 45-75mph
8) 12"/19"/89'
9) Around the walls with runing and switching.
2)How large in sq ft is your layout? 900 sq. ft (27*29 - double level)3)How long in feet is your mainline? 211'
4)Do you run a single track main or more? Single
5)Roughly what era do you model? Freelance (modern, transitional, steam)
6)How big is your collection of rolling stock and locos? 146
7)At what approximate scale speeds do you do most of your running? 30
8)What is your layouts minimum radius curves and average curve radius, and longest cars you run? 26, 26, 70
9)What type of layout do you have? (i.e. Around the walls-primarily switching, around the walls-primarily running, Island-running, none at this time, Etc. Folded dogbone with peninsula
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR