Who says a you can't cram a lot into a 4x8?

[BRAKIE]

Simon,The point I was trying to make I would be very happy to have a 4x8 layout even if one end was against the wall.I would choose this'n.
http://www.gatewaynmra.org/layouts/gcrr2.jpg
and would be very,very happy.However..In a 24' x 48' double wide trailer one just doesn't have the luxury due to the size of the rooms..

[simon1966]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

Guys,Like I mention in another thread..I would love to have room for a 4x8 foot layout..[sigh]

Brakie, that really is the point. If you consider access to a 4x8 you really do need to set aside alot of space to have one. Just a 2' walkway around the layout and you need an 8x12 space. That same 8x12 space could have a nice switching shelf layout with far more operational interest and still leave most of the room available for other activities.

[BRAKIE]

Guys,Like I mention in another thread..I would love to have room for a 4x8 foot layout..[sigh]

[dinwitty]

Theres prolly one 4x8 that I looked at in Linn Wescotts book of 100 plans, which had some looping ups and downs and plenty for operation and storage. But my modeling demands just go further than 4x8 and the 4x8 doesnt suit where I am building.
4x8 is great for the quick build get it going.
but a 4x8 is hard to move. I went modular shelves with my own design, working on them now...slowly.

[conrail92]

Thats the one thing about model railroading once your in it you always want to make a bigger layout, its like an addiction. mine layout is 8x9 roughly

[Anonymous]

No, I'm pretty sure alexander13 is in HO scale.
You can also do a lot with a 6x10 layout. I alsmost built a 6x10 spaghetti bowl with a 4x4 extension but I'm back to my original larger layout plan. Not because the little one wasn't great, but because I DO have room for the bigger one.

thats the 6x10 plan- the main would run off the table and onto the 4x4 erxtension.

[conrail92]

thats true didnt think about that he didnt mention the scale probly is N

[DigitalGriffin]

10:1 it's N scale, or even possibly Z

[conrail92]

ya thats why i got an extension, it doesnt looks as nice with lots of crammed track in one area

[jecorbett]

I'd be very curious to see the 8 track yard. Even using #4 turnouts it is going to require a lot of length and width. To fit it inside the oval, you are going to have to begin the ladder with curved turnouts and even then the last few tracks couldn't hold more than a few cars. Even 6 tracks would be pushing the envelope. Prove me wrong but I don't see how it is possible. I have nothing against 4x8s but I think it is a mistake to try to pack too much into too small a space.

[conrail92]

www.imageshack.us is a great free image host it will giv you the image link directly and it free and fast, i previsously had a 4x8 i did fit alot but i wanted a longer mainline. so it made extension to it.

[ARTHILL]

I am with you. I have had three 4x8s and even had a three level overpass on one. My current layout is truely a pair of 4x8s connected with a shelf. I did pack one with track and enjoyed the switching involved. I look forward to seeing your plan and some scenery pics.

[simon1966]

Alexander, it will be nice to see your plan.

The apparent "put down" that you sense regarding the good old 4x8 is not so much that you can't do anything with it, but that in the same space that a 4x8 occupies (including the space needed to get around the layout and actually reach things and operate it) you can do a lot more with some creative thinking. The 4x8 is a great way to start in this hobby and many of us did just that. It is also the first thing that newbies think of when wanting to build a layout. I think that it is good to consider all options for using the avialable space when starting. In this way the new MRR'er ends up with something that is satisfying the them. If that turns out to be the 4 x 8 then great.

[MisterBeasley]

Go to www.railimages.com and sign up for a free account. It's a donation-supported site, so if you can spare them a few dollars they'll appreciate it.

Although I have the "luxury" of 5x12, I like seeing the creativity that a lot of people put into their 4x8's. The basic thing we all must live with is the room that the layout goes in, and the other people we have to share it with. Sometimes, the 4x8 is just the best way to go.

[SpaceMouse]

Email the file to me in .jpg form and I'll put it up. I don't have RTS so I can't convert it.

[harrisburg]

I have a 4x8 and enjoying it everyday!!![:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]

[Anonymous]

In atlas RTS i have developed a supereb trackplan.

There has been a lot of bad press about 4x8's, so i will try to set the record straight.

Here are the features it boasts
8 track yard (Some could be converted to other type things like Loco Servicing)
3 industry spurs
Room for a town
A station

Whoever tried to say that 4x8's have no potential haven't seen this layout.

However i need help with the image hosting. Would someone be willing to host it on my behalf?
Alexander