The perfect layout

[Tracklayer]

I've been thinking about building a new layout. The problem is, I only have room for a 4 X 8 at the most. Once built, I'm not sure what era to go with because I've got engines and rolling stock from the 1920s up until now.

Any suggestions ?.

Tracklayer [:)]

[DrummingTrainfan]

Have you thought about multiple decks? That would allow you to have two different layouts that could be two different eras, or one bigger one connected with a helix.

[Anonymous]

How about a 2ft or 18inch wide shelf switching layout in an L-shape.

Do that with 2 18inch wide by 8ft long segments, and may give you a lot more operating potential than a roundy-roundy 4 x 8...

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DrummingTrainfan

Have you thought about multiple decks? That would allow you to have two different layouts that could be two different eras, or one bigger one connected with a helix.

Now that's an original idea... I may just give that some thought.

I've also thought about building a layout that's just land scaping only, and not have any buildings or anything so I could run any train I wanted (?).

Tracklayer

[Tracklayer]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CARRfan

How about a 2ft or 18inch wide shelf switching layout in an L-shape.

Do that with 2 18inch wide by 8ft long segments, and may give you a lot more operating potential than a roundy-roundy 4 x 8...

Nope. No more roundy-roundy for me anymore. This time I'd like something with some real personality. I'd like at least two or three tracks with a side track or two that I can kill the power on after I run a train or engine off the main line onto it. I also wanted it all lit up and lively, but since I'm not going to be able to have any buildings or houses, that's no longer in the plan. ([:(])

[Anonymous]

Here's a layout I'm in the process of designing...

It's 2.5ft x 8ft with a non-scenicked and removable return loop.

I'm going to build it in the garage.

Something like this could just as easily go into a spare bedroom, and as you can see, the runaround loop takes up very little space if it's on just a few inch wide shelf around the room.

Continuous running without the look of "roundy-roundy".

In fact, you could even hide the return loop behind books or something.

[Anonymous]

I like multiple deck ideas. Some of them, at least. Having a second deck that mirrors the shape of the first, just ain't realistic worth snot in my book. How bout this: Go with your 4x8. Then, for the second deck, why not go with something more narrow? maybe 2x8? You could even design it into the first deck, so that it could be something like a switchback, going up the side of a mountain. This could work especially well if one side of the layout would be against a wall.

[Tracklayer]

I'm listening to any and all ideas at this point, and have even thought about building an under table loop so the train will seem to disappear into the tunnel, but not come out for a while because it's going around a loop on the lower table, then back up again. This always seems to freak people out because they're expecting the train to reappear in just a second or two. But then again, rather than have it come out of the tunnel it went in that everyone would be expecting it to come out of, have it come out of the one on the other end of the layout. I don't know. I'm kicking around all kinds of ideas.

Keep em coming. I need all the suggestions I can get.

Tracklayer

[tstage]

CARRfan,

Did you use SolidWorks to design your pictured layout above? It has that inmistakable sky blue background.

Tom

[Anonymous]

The man knows his CAD packages [8D]

Sometimes I feel like I live inside solidworks! Particularly if it's making its way into a hobby now too!

[Anonymous]

I forget which issue, but sometime in the past couple of years Model Railroader featured a track plan for a double deck 4 by 8. It was Jersey Central in the eastern Pennsylvania anthracite region.

Another clever track 4 by 8 plan is the Turtle Creek Central featured a few years back. You can operate it as a point to point or as a continuous run. I based my layout on the Turtle Creek but with a few significant modifications.

With a little creativity a 4 by 8 can be a whole lot more than an oval or figure 8 with spurs.

[cuyama]

And it may be worth noting (once again) that the actual "footprint" of the 4X8 is much larger than 4'X8' after one allows for the necessary aisles. A lot of interesting alternatives can reside in the space required for a generic 4X8. It sometimes pays to consider the overall footprint required, not only the table dimensions.

There are a few ideas on my website at:
http://www.modelrail.us/id28.html

Regards,

Byron

[tstage]

CARRfan,

Ha, I thought so. [:D] I've used Solidworks from time to time to try and design my around-the-wall layout at home. I've only done the trackwork in sketch mode so the track is represented as just a flat, 2D line. (Once I nail down the design, I can then start creating 3D objects.) Solidworks sure is great for trying out different sized radii for curves. I can't tell you how often I use the offset command to create quick and accurate spacing in my yards and between mainlines.

Tom

[ondrek]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Tracklayer

I've been thinking about building a new layout. The problem is, I only have room for a 4 X 8 at the most. Once built, I'm not sure what era to go with because I've got engines and rolling stock from the 1920s up until now.

Any suggestions ?.

Tracklayer [:)]

build your 4x8....make your buildings....dont worry about the time line....most buildings are still around from 1900's anyhow...so make your layout make your buildings....its the CARS on the roads that really date a layout.....and those are easy to change....when you are in the 1920's have cars for that erra on road, 1970's...put those erra cars on the roads.

thats what i plan on doing.
I can only have a 4x8 and I will have different erra engines too. my layout is simpler than most others though. but ist not a just landscape layout. i think you might get board with that.

Kevin

[Anonymous]

The perfect layout is one that belongs to someone else and that you have access to.

The same formula as the perfect boat.

Bob DeWoody

[dragenrider]

If you don't have much space, run older (1920's) equipment. The cars are shorter and the trains have to go further to make a full trip. It also means you can have shorter sidings and passing tracks. This will allow you to do more in a small space.

[Anonymous]

Pull off what I did - bite the bullet and sell your exsisting rolling stock for what you want. It's not worth it to be stuck with a beautiful model of something that was a compromise. Best decision I ever made.

[Tracklayer]

Okay. The thing is, I've got 1920s and 40s era steamers as well as early 50s era streamliner passenger trains (that are my absolute favorites). Then I have diesels from the mid 1970s and modern diesels of today.
Ondrek suggested that I could go with my "landscape only" layout, but change out the automobiles to match the era of train I'm running. But I'd still like to at least put in a hamburger joint and/or gas station out in the middle of no where like it might have been on route 66 back in the day.

I've got a friend that has two fronts to some of his buildings, like his depot, which he has done up for the 30s thru 50s on one side, and 60s thru 80s on the other. All he has to do is turn it around for the era he wants. I always kind of admired that, and may just steal his idea.

Tracklayer

[Wdlgln005]

A 4x8 will be perfect for a nice Nscale layout. I'd update the time to the 50's so you can get some GP's, F"s & other transition era equipment.
The best layouts are a twice around with a bridge for the crossing. Check out the origonal Gorre & Daphetid trackplan. The trip to the top leads to a branchline where you can put a coal mine or a lumber loader, to bring down to the lower level. Leave space for 1 track to go to the edge & make a "connection" to another module or the outside world.