Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

How big is your layout?

5260 views
82 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 10:13 PM
My layout consists of two modules, one 1x6 feet and the other an L-shape 6 feet wide and 3 feet deep on one end (1 foot deep on the rest.) Eventually I plan on going once around the walls of my 8x18 foot garage.

Here's the yard module:

And here's the industrial module:


My layout takes up half the space of a 4x8 sheet of plywood, but it is still a lot of fun to run!
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Riverside, Ca
  • 129 posts
Posted by Duce on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 7:54 PM
Goodness Dan,
I wish I had half the inventory you have under that bench....lololol

Im sure others are way above that. But I dont think Ive seen that much train stuff in one spot except in a hobby store...lolol
Catch Ya later, Cary
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Maricopa, AZ
  • 269 posts
Posted by DanRaitz on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 7:36 PM
Here is the promised photo of my Sn3 layout under construction.

Dan

If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy .... Red Green
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: Riverside, Ca
  • 129 posts
Posted by Duce on Monday, May 23, 2005 8:09 PM
I have a 20X20 room and I have the wood for the bench work. Does that count for anything yet? I plan on starting a 3x15 yard. Construction starts this week. Some day I hope to have the 15X20 I have planed. I guess I am also blessed to have the room.
Catch Ya later, Cary
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 1,054 posts
Posted by grandeman on Monday, May 23, 2005 7:25 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by rlandry6

4X8.. <hanging head> I'm doing it by myself in a small spare room..Oh well, with that size, maybe I'll get to see trains run on it in this lifetime.


Do'nt hang your head my friend. A 4x8 is great if that's the space you have. I've had several myself.
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, May 23, 2005 7:24 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by rlandry6

4X8.. <hanging head> I'm doing it by myself in a small spare room..Oh well, with that size, maybe I'll get to see trains run on it in this lifetime.


There are 4 x 8 layouts built by members of this websit that have been in the mags. No head hanging here. Work with what you have.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • 202 posts
Posted by rlandry6 on Monday, May 23, 2005 7:21 PM
4X8.. <hanging head> I'm doing it by myself in a small spare room..Oh well, with that size, maybe I'll get to see trains run on it in this lifetime.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: New Brunswick,Canada
  • 335 posts
Posted by sledgehammer on Monday, May 23, 2005 7:10 PM
my room is 9 X 16. Its a shelf design. Which i am still laying track on. When the kids a re gone i get the rec room and laudry room. Look out hobby store lol
My train of thought gets interupted by the whistle http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/sledgehammer33/ Derrick Jones
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 7:09 PM
80x100, C&O Allengheny div, fully senicked, operating signals, all my steam and desiels are equipped with sound, the highlight of my feet is my 17 brass AKANE allenghenys.








An 8x10 C&O branchline thats yet to be built.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 7:00 PM
Right now I have an O-27 scale oval on a 4x8 piece of plywood. But me and my dad are going to build an HO scale layout. Its going to be a two level layout. I can't wait til we get it finished.
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Eastern Massachusetts
  • 1,681 posts
Posted by railroadyoshi on Monday, May 23, 2005 5:37 PM
Me, being a new novice, a 4x8. Though I yearn for more space, one of the great things of small layouts is the amount of time you can devote to an area. My track plan and structure/scenery layout has changed over the years. Now, my design is very dense, creating extremely interesting scenes. Many are tightly layed industries with sharp tracks woven between them. My layout depicts a town in the middle of mountains.
Yoshi "Grammar? Whom Cares?" http://yfcorp.googlepages.com-Railfanning
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 4:43 PM
My layout is 13' X 18' with a helix at each end.

Bob
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Quebec
  • 983 posts
Posted by Marc_Magnus on Monday, May 23, 2005 4:35 PM
Mine is in a room of 33 x 18 feet, but it's an along the wall design with three peninsula with one which make a return on itself making the mainline run longer.
I model in N scale
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Los Angeles
  • 1,619 posts
Posted by West Coast S on Monday, May 23, 2005 4:10 PM
My current 20x12 test layout, portions of which were converted from HO to S has been served final notice by my better half who wants the space for a new bathroom and linnen closet.

On the plus side, my second residence has a 70X50 room that is now available, but to use the space efficently I will have to abandon my tried and true around-the-walls design concepts.
SP the way it was in S scale
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Monday, May 23, 2005 3:41 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by oleirish

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

QUOTE: Originally posted by oleirish

CHIP:I'am watching you like a hawk,looking good,[:P]Quick question:how did you go from the flat top up your grade with out a bump?[^]OH !! buy the way if I send you my address can just ship that layout to me[:-,]

[oX)]OLE'IRISH[oX)]


If I get your question, each riser is 1/4" taller thatn the last. The top and bottom of the grade only go 1/8" in the same space. Since it is a single piece of plywood it forms a parabolic curve at each location.
Chip that is about right,but what I'am trying to say is the transition from flat table top to start of grade ? JIM


The lower level is plywood with foam. The section that goes up is plwyood with cork. The part that goes up is just elevated off the frame. Meaning it is partially cut and lifted. When the grade reaches the end of the plywood sheet there is a splice and the plywood continues on. I hope that make sense. I'll take a picture if you still haven't got it.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Southeast U.S.A.
  • 851 posts
Posted by rexhea on Monday, May 23, 2005 1:15 PM
My HO layout is, 3 level, 18' x 24', with a 12' x 3' passenger train extension that will include the town of Mountain view. Fortunately, I get some help and expertise from CJCRESENT when he can make it over from Birmingham. After 1.5 years, I have all the main line, main yard, and many industry spurs in place allowing for plenty of operating fun. The scenery......well..... it's coming along.....sloooowly. [:I] [:D]

Please visit my Railimages site. Link below.



REX [:)]
Rex "Blue Creek & Warrior Railways" http://www.railimages.com/gallery/rexheacock
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: North Idaho
  • 1,311 posts
Posted by jimrice4449 on Monday, May 23, 2005 11:17 AM
I started w/ what's basically an oversized 2 car garage (25X26) and when I ran out of room there, tacked on a 12X24 extension on one corner. The RR is virtually all yard . It's on two levels and is L shaped with the long leg being 4'X45 and the 4'X20 off of that. Thre's a total of 1700 ft. of track with 226 switches. It's really a yard complex with frt on the lower level and psgr on the upper. It features a working 12 track hump yard (shortest track 12') and a psgr depot (double ended) w/ 8 platform tracks and a run-around track. It will accomodate trains of full length car from 12 cars to 18, with engines w/o fouling adjacent tracks.
All of this feeds a "mainline" on the lower, frt level consisting of a 38' single track loop with 2 30' staging tracks running off of it. The upper (psgr) level is a little better. Its mainline is about 30' of double track that widens into a 3 track reverse loop./staging with each track blocked so as to hold 2 psgr trains of 12 to 16 cars.
Two problems with this thing are first, finding enough people to be able to run it. Most of the time I run it alone and that requires that everthing be done sequentially. Run the train into the yard as dispatcher, then be the hostler cutting off the road power and running it to the roundhouse and then working the hump job etc, etc. The second problem is MAINTAINENCE!!!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 10:41 AM
So far, it's 4' X 10' N Scale...

but that just might turn into the penninsula.
Haven't figured out how to post pix or I would.
Just got trains running. Now, to clean up the wiring into managable routes.
More time!
More money!
I need more!

Cuhail
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Monday, May 23, 2005 10:35 AM
My layout is slated to be 30 1/2 X 29 feet, double-decked. Right now only 22 X 29 feet of the lower deck has benchwork constructed.

Here's the lower level, with scenery added to show how the visible trackage will look:



Here's the upper level, shown the same way:



The four-track helix that will connect the levels will be located in the grey-blue blob at the lower left-hand corner of each picture.

The Shobon/Wind River Canyon and Cody/Laurel peninsulas, plus the around the walls sections that connect them, are the areas with benchwork up.
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Crosby, Texas
  • 3,660 posts
Posted by cwclark on Monday, May 23, 2005 10:06 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by grande man

QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark

My layout is 23' x 25' and you got that right!..pretty expensive!..here is a picture album of my layout in case you are interested...i'm still in the "plywood central" stage, but working as fast as i can to build it...i started it in March of 2004 ...chuck
http://www.webshots.com/community/user/bayouman1


That's WAY cool, Chuck. I need a bigger house. [:D] Seriously, there's so much that can be done in a space that size. Looks like you're doing a jam up job too. Do you have any help?


no help what-so-ever...I need help too...I have all the track layed except for a spur that will come later in my retirement days..I'm going to have to tear out some shelves and a countertop with drawers and build the new section before i can call it complete...back to the help..I wish i had help when it comes to operating...i'll be able to run 4 main line trains and switch in industrial sidings in 6 different places at one time...can't do it all by myself...wi***here were some neighbors as interested in it as I am...Chuck

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: oregon
  • 885 posts
Posted by oleirish on Monday, May 23, 2005 8:52 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

QUOTE: Originally posted by oleirish

CHIP:I'am watching you like a hawk,looking good,[:P]Quick question:how did you go from the flat top up your grade with out a bump?[^]OH !! buy the way if I send you my address can just ship that layout to me[:-,]

[oX)]OLE'IRISH[oX)]


If I get your question, each riser is 1/4" taller thatn the last. The top and bottom of the grade only go 1/8" in the same space. Since it is a single piece of plywood it forms a parabolic curve at each location.
Chip that is about right,but what I'am trying to say is the transition from flat table top to start of grade ? JIM
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: oregon
  • 885 posts
Posted by oleirish on Monday, May 23, 2005 8:42 AM
[:(]I've been reduced to a 34"w X 8'L switching lay out and test track.My wifes brother moved in with us,[xx(]so there went my train room[:(]I'am hoping he will leave before long[|(][sigh]

OLE'IRISH
  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: El Dorado Springs, MO
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by n2mopac on Monday, May 23, 2005 8:38 AM
I am about to begin track laying on my 17' x 17' (with a peninsula) N scale BNSF layout. It is in an unfinnished basement (saddly, but I do not own the house, so "whaddya gonna do?"). I actually had much more space to work with there, but I figured this, as my second layout, was plenty to keep me busy and keep my pocket book empty for several years to come. I am very excited about the track plan and hope to have the main running by next Spring.

Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Holly, MI
  • 1,269 posts
Posted by ClinchValleySD40 on Monday, May 23, 2005 8:16 AM
60' x 30'. Two, three and four decks. Plenty of staging. Ops once a month for a crew of 15 to 20. And anyone is welcome at any time.
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Arizona. Born And Raised In Chicago ILL.
  • 743 posts
Posted by ac4400fan on Monday, May 23, 2005 2:46 AM
well so far its 6x16 ft and going to grow alot more



Bigger is better ,,

carl...
GO> Chicago NorthWestern.BNSF& Illinios Central, AC4400 ALLTHE WAY! DREAM IT! PLAN IT! BUILD IT! Smile, Wink & Grin
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 23, 2005 1:38 AM
My layout is 16' by 7' on the wider end and 5' on the narrower end. It is sort of like a dogbone. I am currently building a HOn3 logging line on the 2x5' narrower end


This is looking towards the wider end where the main city is being built



This is looking back towards where the narrow guage is being built on the end.
These pictures were taken two months ago and since then the narrow guage roadbed has been built, the scenery roughed in, and the backdrop installed
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,251 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Sunday, May 22, 2005 6:44 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by oleirish

CHIP:I'am watching you like a hawk,looking good,[:P]Quick question:how did you go from the flat top up your grade with out a bump?[^]OH !! buy the way if I send you my address can just ship that layout to me[:-,]

[oX)]OLE'IRISH[oX)]


If I get your question, each riser is 1/4" taller thatn the last. The top and bottom of the grade only go 1/8" in the same space. Since it is a single piece of plywood it forms a parabolic curve at each location.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, May 22, 2005 4:07 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by steveblackledge

I have an 18' x 9' in my brick garage, it's on two levels around the walls with a 3.25% grade between the two. i have gone with using building flats against the wall's to give the illusion of depth, i hope it all works out

A similar size to our's Steve. Any chance of updating the 'My Model Railroad' page on your web site?

Our layout is 8' x 16' in a concrete garage, an OO scale layout and still in the early stages of construction. (oh yes, it's got a train lift) [:D]


waldovia.co.uk
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: oregon
  • 885 posts
Posted by oleirish on Sunday, May 22, 2005 9:11 AM
CHIP:I'am watching you like a hawk,looking good,[:P]Quick question:how did you go from the flat top up your grade with out a bump?[^]OH !! buy the way if I send you my address can just ship that layout to me[:-,]

[oX)]OLE'IRISH[oX)]
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Maricopa, AZ
  • 269 posts
Posted by DanRaitz on Sunday, May 22, 2005 8:23 AM
I'm currently working on a 6' x 13 1/2' "L" shaped Sn3 layout. The benchwork, backdrop (still in primer) and lighting are up. Now I just need to go get some blue paint. I'll post photo's soon.

Dan
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy .... Red Green

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!