4x8 Layout Photo Site w/Track Plan!

[Anonymous]

Thought I would finally share some photos of my 4x8 HO layout before demolition this spring.

This layout has a lot of action for its size and it is not uncommon to find 5 consists running at once. (Thanks to DCC)

The plan is in the works for a new 6x11 and hopefully much of this layout can be salvaged. Though the plan is quite different.

This was my first layout attempt in 40 years (when I was 13 I had a 4x8 with an oval and couple switches) and was good practice for the next one. No more curves under 22" or turnouts less than #6's. As you can see, I like to run big steam and mu'd F7s.

Let me know what you think. Criticism accepted, sometimes an outsider can see things I don't. Enjoy![:)]

http://community.webshots.com/user/up_santafe

[TurboOne]

Hi Ray, the link says no albums available when I go there. I really would like to see the layout as what you run is what I want to add.

Tim

[DSchmitt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TurboOne

Hi Ray, the link says no albums available when I go there. I really would like to see the layout as what you run is what I want to add.

Tim

Thats funny. It worked for me

[JeremyB]

yeah worked for me too

[Anonymous]

Ray,
Wow, you sure were able to put a lot into a small space!

I really like the John Deere theme. I will be sure to add that to my Rock Island Line as it passes through Moline.

Jeff

[Anonymous]

VERY NICE!!!! Who says there can't be action in a 4x8? Your layout has got to be the best I've seen in a long time.

Just wondering.......is your Big Boy a Trix unit?

[Anonymous]

WOW !!
You sure squeeeeezed alot of action into 4X8.
NICE JOB.
I can see how this could be very challenging to have 2 or 3 operators running large consists.
Great looking scenery too.
Ken

[Anonymous]

4884bigboy

Yes it is a Trix. Runs good on the 22 & 18 but doesnt' like the 15" at all.

My consists are usually fairly small, due to the curves and grades, though I have put cars on the 18 behind the Big Boy that reach all the way around and he pulls them just fine. (about 30 cars.)

[Anonymous]

Just had a look at your pics nice job. I really like the night pics really cool and very realistic.What ever you used to light up the tower is awesome one of the best looking layout pics i have seen in a while.The big boy looks right at home again nice job terry.

[Anonymous]

I added a few night photos.

http://community.webshots.com/user/up_santafe

[Anonymous]

Don't believe I'd have the heart to dismantle it.......got to be a labor of love there somewhere! Outa be a retirement home for layouts!!!!

[fiatfan]

Nice work, Ray.

Since you asked for comments, one thing I noticed is that the roads seem a little narrow. You may want to widen them out a little on your next layout.

Thanks for sharing the pix.

Tom

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt

QUOTE: Originally posted by TurboOne

Hi Ray, the link says no albums available when I go there. I really would like to see the layout as what you run is what I want to add.

Tim

Thats funny. It worked for me

it worked for me

[Anonymous]

WOW you can put a lot of stuff on a 4 by 8. i like the "big time" action on the layout. all around you did a great job on it.

[AggroJones]

Wow. That thing is PACKED.

I'm suprised you can get a Big Boy around 18" radius curves! Must be perfectly laid I guess.

[BRVRR]

Ray,
I love it. Who says a 4x8 is too small for real action. I would love to see a track plan. Might be something there for me to add to my BRVRR.
Love the pics and the layout. A shame to dismantle it. It's your railroad.
Good luck on the new endeavor.

[Anonymous]

I would have included a track plan, but alas, the computer crashed a year ago and I lost all the data for my layout. (Along with lots of other stuff)

I used all Atlas sectional track and the free Atlas track software which even allowd me to print out a full size template, including building placement! (About 50 or 60 pages)

The layout is a basic triple oval, 15, 18 & 22 inch radius, with snap switches interconnecting all lines and spurs, one crossover and a reversing section that goes thru the middle. There was one piece of flex track used to make a couple small sections where sectional track in the right size wasn't available.

I had to use a 4% grade to get enough height to clear the lower tracks so one of my spurs could tunnel underneath. Lots of lessons learned, including the "too narrow" roadways. Hard for the semi's to get around the corners!

Yes, it will be hard to tear it down. Lots my heart went into it. But hopefully the next layout will have better laid trackwork, fewer design flaws (or at least different ones) and a little more room for the scenery.

[SilverSpike]

Ditto on all the previous posts for space maximization! You have a real talent for getting a lot of activity into the 4X8! My grandfather fell out of the hobby back in the 60’s after 10 years in it and ended up donating his layout to a local Boy Scout troop. Interesting about what ever happens to all those layouts! Enjoyed the photos too!

Thanks for sharing,

Ryan

[TurboOne]

Hi Ray, ok the link worked this time for me. Maybe I went to soon after you posted, I see that it ws about 5 hours when they got the link to work. Compters, gotta love them. [}:)] I really like the layout, especially the elevated track in the back. Would love to have seen you track plan especially the lead in to the elevation. How long did it take you from start to finish on the layout ?

Tim

[Anonymous]

First of all, thanks for all the great comments. I'm glad my humble little 4x8 was interesting to someone other than me.

I started building this layout the beginning of 2003, almost 2 years. I retired in April, 2003 so I have had lots of time to work on it, especially in the Wisconsin winters.

I started with a couple "Life Like" sets and then got into John Deere. The first loco I bought when I decided to build the layout was a new Rivarossi Challenger.

Of course the original Life Like "toy" engines have been long since worn out and the Santa Fe GP38-2 is now a dummy engine. The 0-4-0 is on display in the "park".

The layout is built on a 2" foam board on wood supports. The mountain and rock scenery is made from "Great Stuff" foam insulation in a can. Works really well when molded into plastic bags inside boxes. When it comes out it looks like rock faces.

The grade on the layout is a steep 4% using the Woodland Scenics incline set and begins just at the ends of the straight track on the 22" diameter outside oval. The rest of the track is on the original grade. The track is Atlas Code 100 on Woodland Scenics foam roadbed. Cork road bed and other types of fill brought some sections of the table top up to the track grade.

As much as I really put my heart into this layout, I am looking forward to building the new one. There is a "Children's Museum" not far from here. Perhaps I will donate this layout to them.

Anyhow, I will keep you posted on progress when it begins and will post some more pictures of this layout without all the trains cluttering it up so you can see the track plan better very soon.

Keep on letting me know what you see that I don't.

Ray

[Anonymous]

I found a printed copy of the layout!!! Thought I had lost them all. It was modified a little upon completion...... Minor track changes and lots of building changes... But it is at the link to my photos.

Ray

http://community.webshots.com/user/up_santafe

[BRVRR]

Ray,
Thanks for the track plan. I thought my BRVRR was crowded! I'll spend some time going over it and maybe swipe an idea or two.
Thanks again.