Basement HO layout. U shaped 14' across the bottom and 20' along each leg. Covers about 180 sq ft of surface. 31 turnouts. one turntable. two reversing sections.
In a 9.5x19 room, around the walls 30 in deep, 23 switches, 8 of which are in crossovers. I've removed about 4 to eliminate spaghetti.
But, I've added a couple to help simplify operation. By making spurs in to run- through sidings, it saves a lot of backing and uncoupling, and looks better. Dan
Thanks for the compliments on my latest photos, gentlemen. I have had a busy two days and am just seeing that you have responded positively to my newest adventure.
I have a way to go yet before I begin to polish my camera skills. Quite a bit of scenery improvement, a yard to build and make realistic, get my 14 year old TT working again...if I can...and then a major clean-out of the garage and train room after 5 years of chaos. Maybe by the fall.
Thanks for your encouragement.
My last layout had a 4X10 footprint, with 9 turnouts. (1 curved.)
New layout will have a 12X12 L footprint (widest will be ~5.5 feet) utilizing 28" minimum radii on a single track main, with a planned passing siding (or two), 3 industry spurs (2 multi track), and a seperate interchange/staging yard. (Longest staging track ~6 feet)
If I counted correctly, counting staging/interchange yard, 20 turnouts. (If I use a second passing siding, 22.)
Layout as designed will operate point-to-point (out and back), but can continuous loop as well. It will model a short line operation from interchange to industries, (to points not modelled, using the possible second passing siding - hiden) and back to the yard. (Host a couple run-through's from Class 1 partner per shift as well.)
I have a headache today, so I'm not monkeying around with the Sq. Footage math...
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
rrebellAll this in a 96x30 space.
That sounds like an amazing layout. I had so much fun with my 2 foot by 8 foot first HO layout. It kept me railroading for more than a decade.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Actual room size is 8'X 19' on 2 decks but the layout covers about 2/3 of the space on the bottom and about 1/2 on the top so about 330sq/ft with 52 turnouts. Lots of curved turnouts to save space and keep the radius' to 22".
Main Line is about 110' from lower staging to upper staging.
Scott Sonntag
SeeYou190 rrebell My layout is very simular to Malcolm Furlow's San Juan Does yours also have that terrible switch-back to get to the turntable? -Kevin
rrebell My layout is very simular to Malcolm Furlow's San Juan
Does yours also have that terrible switch-back to get to the turntable?
LastspikemikeThe other reason to expand the layout is to build a yard big enough to assemble long trains which then require longer main line to operate.
That is exactly what Sheldon has been saying for years. He has a whole thread on how he is trying to capture the immense nature of the prototype operations that have inspired him.
My benchwork is 55 sq. ft., with a main line continuous run of about 50', and a total of 16 turnouts. All manual using Caboose Hobby's throws.
A 24" radius on each end.
Here's a clip from my YT channel, showing the layout, as a train runs the main:
Mike.
My You Tube
SeeYou190If I had three times the space, I do not think my layout design would be more complex. I believe I would use the extra space to get some running length so the trains could stretch their legs. My layout design has all the features I want.
Hi Kevin,
I totally agree. If I had more space most of it would be devoted to running room and scenery. My design might change to incorporate different track levels and more bridges, but I wouldn't make my main urban scene any larger.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
ATLANTIC CENTRALSo, this supports my theory that simply being larger, does not make a layout more complex.
If I had three times the space, I do not think my layout design would be more complex. I believe I would use the extra space to get some running length so the trains could stretch their legs.
My layout design has all the features I want.
Lastspikemike Now that is a brilliant small footprint layout. 9'x5' should be the standard minimum for HO. You can fit 24" radius and do an over/under.
Now that is a brilliant small footprint layout.
9'x5' should be the standard minimum for HO. You can fit 24" radius and do an over/under.
I guess my father was brilliant, the layout he built for me was built on two 5x9 pieces of 3/4" marine plywood framed with 1x4's - I know, over built, and thank goodness, I climbed on that to do work all the time.
It had 24" radius curves, over/under trackage, two separate loops, hidden staging tracks, passing sidings and industries.
Sheldon
BATMAN The results are in! And it seems the larger the layout the fewer turnouts per SQFT. There may be the odd exception, however, I should have asked a more refined question and ask what scale was being modeled. The conclusion is, we seem to be happy with what we have, which is a whole lot of fun that lets us escape for a while. Carry on.
The results are in! And it seems the larger the layout the fewer turnouts per SQFT.
There may be the odd exception, however, I should have asked a more refined question and ask what scale was being modeled.
The conclusion is, we seem to be happy with what we have, which is a whole lot of fun that lets us escape for a while.
Carry on.
So, this supports my theory that simply being larger, does not make a layout more complex.
To use my point, what is more complex, an eight track double ended freight yard 12 feet long, or an eight track doubled ended freight yard 24 feet long?
Their complexity is the same.......
So if a larger layout has longer yard, and longer sidings, rather than having more yards or more sidings, it is in fact no more complex than its smaller "version".
Think about you design goals no matter how much or how little space you have.....
I have 1500 sq ft, and will have only one visable freight yard......
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
My layout, in allowed space, is about 5.5' x 9.5', or 52.25 SF. It is a compact folded dogbone, which includes a submerged arc but I can't remember how to calculate the SF of the arc. It probably involves some cosines.
Without going upstairs, I count 21 turnouts on my control panel photo, including three crossovers (for reverse loops) and one 3-way turnout. Counting the 3-way properly concerns me, as it's not a single turnout but not two turnouts. Walthers would call it one turnout but a loco engineer might call it two? I may toss and turn tonight contemplating whether I got that right.
I'd say my layout is a bit congested but it has been satisfying (and fun to design and create). If you consider this as congested as desireable, one should not exceed 21 / 52.25 = 0.4019138756 turnouts per square foot. Especially if most of them are 3-way turnouts.
IMG_4565 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
20200424_083744 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I'll join Phil with my small 4x6, 6 turnout layout, 2 passing sidings and a 2 track yard servicing an oil dealer, feed store and a team track.
Currently working to finish a 7x14 room for an around the room shelf 68 sq ft layout surface with an entry gate. Not sure of the number of turnouts as the trackplan is still only floating around in the empty space between my ears.
It's difficult to work on finishing a 7x14 room with a 4x6 table in the middle of it, but made progress this weekend.
Have fun,
Richard
selectorIt's nothing to write home about because the remaining 15% has taken me a year, and it's still going. But, okay, here is a hasty photo or two:
I am wondering why we never see this layout in Show Me Something.
The pictures look good. I am pretty sure you have shared pictures before.
Crandell, your layout photos have always been something to look forward to. I would also like to see more.
selectorAARRGGHH!! Mark, you called me out!!!! It's nothing to write home about because the remaining 15% has taken me a year, and it's still going. But, okay, here is a hasty photo or two: [quality down after years not imaging a layout] The bridge was sent to me by the late Bob Hollowell. -Crandell
It's nothing to write home about because the remaining 15% has taken me a year, and it's still going. But, okay, here is a hasty photo or two: [quality down after years not imaging a layout]
The bridge was sent to me by the late Bob Hollowell.
-Crandell
MORE!!!
Maybe start your own layout thread?
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Hi Crandell,
The scenes are very well done!
Pruitt selector Current layout, at about 85% complete, is my favourite around-the-room folded loop, double track. Are we ever going to get to see some pictures?!?
selector Current layout, at about 85% complete, is my favourite around-the-room folded loop, double track.
Are we ever going to get to see some pictures?!?
AARRGGHH!! Mark, you called me out!!!!
Layout room is 20' x 20' Double deck railroad, two track main. Lower level has about 50 turnouts including staging yards and engine terminal. Upper level has about 65 including freight yard and industries. Layout is designed for operations which includes a dispatcher, yardmaster and 3 engineers to run trains and work the engine terminal as a hostler to/from the freight yard...
rrebellMy layout is very simular to Malcolm Furlow's San Juan
My main layout is 12' x 5'4" (64.5 sq. ft.). It is essentially a double oval with a small yard and an engine service area. Eventually there will be a staging yard added which will be roughly 13.8' x 2' (approx. 26 sq. ft.).
The main layout will have 30 turnouts including one double slip and four crossovers. The mainline turnouts will be Peco Code 100 Electrofrogs and the service area will be Peco Code 83 Electrofrogs. That wasn't my original plan. I have enough Code 100 Electrofrogs to do the whole layout but the track geometry in the service area dictated switching to Code 83s to get the double slip and the other turnouts in the service area to fit. Yes, that sounds like a lot of turnouts given the space, but the plan works for me. Pasta is one of my favourite dishes!
The 'staging' yard will have 13 Peco Code 100 Electrofrogs. I use the term 'staging' but the yard will be visible so it will have a few structures and some scenery on it. The staging yard will also allow trains to be turned using a wye.
Cheers!!
Spaghetti Bowl? Is that good or bad?
I like urban scenes, steel mills, coal mines, ore docks big passenger stations. Lots of turnouts.
I guess some modelers like pastoral scenery, long runs between towns, maybe single track with a few passing sidings. Fewer turnouts.
I did a quick review and found that the main layout is in a basement area 24 by 42 feet. This part the layout occupies 660 s/f with another 82 s/f of subterranean staging. I also have a secondary route called the Bessemer which is essentially the "connecting" railroad.
Turnout count:
Bessemer: 58
2 track main line: 37
Engine terminal, sidings, yards: 36
Staging/storage: 22
153 turnouts (counted double slips as four)
PRR at the end of the day by Edmund, on Flickr
IMG_0068_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
IMG_7933_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
Pass the Parmesean! I'm in the mood for some spaghetti
Cheers, Ed
selectorCurrent layout, at about 85% complete, is my favourite around-the-room folded loop, double track.
BATMAN I am just too tired today to be productive, can't you tell. Here's the question. What is the footprint and or sqft of your layout and how many turnouts do you have on it. If you don't currently have a layout, use a layout from the past or timewarp to the future if you have a plan in the works. I'll have another cup of coffee and wander into the trainroom (if I can remember where I left it) and count my own. For the purpose of this study, a double cross-over is 4 turnouts and if you want to argue about that, good, I'll have more to read. Do too many turnouts in relation to sqft mean SPAGHETTI?
I am just too tired today to be productive, can't you tell. Here's the question.
What is the footprint and or sqft of your layout and how many turnouts do you have on it. If you don't currently have a layout, use a layout from the past or timewarp to the future if you have a plan in the works.
I'll have another cup of coffee and wander into the trainroom (if I can remember where I left it) and count my own.
For the purpose of this study, a double cross-over is 4 turnouts and if you want to argue about that, good, I'll have more to read.
Do too many turnouts in relation to sqft mean SPAGHETTI?
I quoted you to help readers in case they need a refresher of your OP by now.
Current layout, at about 85% complete, is my favourite around-the-room folded loop, double track. Room is 9 X 18.
Not including staging, below the layout, accessed by around-the-room hidden grade @ 1.7%:
6 X Peco Code 83 Streamline #6, all out on the main or on industrial switchback;
1 X W/S #6 double crossover, Code 83;
3 X double slips, two W/S #6 and one Code 100 hand laid, all in the yard;
1 X #8 Code 100 hand laid, in the yard;
5 X Micro Engineering ladder system series turnouts;
1 X three-way W/S Code 83 at the yard throat; and
4 X Peco Streamline Code 83 #6 in the yard.
So, counting the DS as four, and the three-way as three, 22 total. This probably is somewhat reflective of my preference to watch trains run in the scenery and not so much ops. Five ladders and other parking tracks up on the layout, and five ladder staging, is way more than I have ever had on a layout.
Got Pfizer today, so I'm getting on with living...hopefully.
Oh, and how many is 'too many' turnouts? Each of us has the duty to craft what he needs/wants for a layout. Anything more might still be a bonus if we end up happy. If we feel we have erred after it's all said 'n done, then, probably too many turnouts.
I'll probably skew your results because of the size, but 8 sq.ft. (11 incl. staging), 4 turnouts.
Previous layouts:
24 sq.ft., 6 turnouts
36 sq.ft., 9 turnouts
Phil
New layout plan:
Room size - 1470 sq ft
Benchwork size - aprox. 910 sq ft
Mainline run - 440' of double track, 180' of that hidden in staging, 260' visable.
Total trackage including staging yards and all secondary trackage - aprox 1600'
Turnouts - total count 140, 38 of those make up 19 crossovers, 2 double slip switches, 1 single slip switch. 89 are controlled by switch machines, the remaining 51 are manually operated. 42 of the 89 controlled by switch machines are in the hidden staging areas.
Staging - 25 hidding staging tracks, most 20' long or longer. 15 are thru staging, 10 are stub end on the wye connected to the mainline. An additional 7 trains can be visably staged without blocking the mainline or limiting train movements.
The design goal was long trains, lots of them, and not a spaghetti bowl.
One turnout for each 6.5 sq ft of benchwork.
One visable turnout for each 9.3 sq ft of benchwork.