Hi guys! I am a new HO convert and am building a small 4x10 layout. I have a thread going in the layout design forum, but I thought I would get the opinions of you guys here in the Ho section in case some of you don't make it over there too often. The track plan calls for a simple oval of track with one "staging" track in the back that will be hidden by a scenery break as well as some switching in front to keep my 4 year old busy while watching the train go around and around. Now, the concerns that have been brought up are space and room available since this room will not only have the Ho layout in it, but a 4x8 N scale layout as well. I also have a small Z scale layout in the works, but it can be easily hidden under one of the others and pulled out when I want to mess with it. There has also been the question of how I will reach the back side of it. I am 6'4" and my arm measures from palm to armpit about 3'. I can easily reach across my N scale so there should be no difference for this one right? Anyway, here is the track plan I am currently working with and I am going for a rural small-town outskirt area including a COOP and something else. I want it to try and resemble the middle of nowhere in Wyoming as much as possible. http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x424/WyCoWestern/HOScaleSwitchingLayoutV22.jpg As for the room layout, I have constructed a computer model of it and between the measurements on there and the measured out and marked off tape outlines on the floor in my train room, I think it should work out fine but I have been known to be wrong before. The wall in front has been left out for clarity, but we can assume that it's there. In this pic, the green block will represent my HO scale layout, the red will be my N scale, the blue represents my desk, and the purple block next to it is my wire shelving units. I am fairly sure it will work out right, but if anyone has any suggestions about how I can make this better or rearrange, please let me know. The room measures 10'3" x 12'5" http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x424/WyCoWestern/TrainRoomLayout.jpg
Just a crazy idea for space use to kick around... If (and since) you are building multiple layouts in multiple scales, would it make ANY sense to build the layouts at different heights-- have part of one go under another, for hidden staging for instance. I think of N as needing to be closer to eye level, I build mine at almost 5 feet from the floor. Some stub-end staging from the lower HO could run under the N layout. You might have to back them in and/or out. This used to be a concern of mine. But real trains do a lot of backing. Here is an example of off-to-the-side stub-end staging connected to a close to minimum-depth roundy-round oval layout. Somewhat different from what I'm suggesting, AND it's laid out for N, but you can adapt the principles.
Someone else would have to do the deatails of how, but could you use the N to come up and add depth perception to the HO?
Those are good questions and honestly I have thought about trying to build a helix to go under the HO layout and extend down under the N layout for HO staging, but that would be a lot of work for trains I don't have lol. So far I have about a dozen HO cars and 5 HO scale locos. I can't really see a point in making room for trains I don't have. In the future I will most definitely be doing something else, but chances are I will have sold or dismantled these layouts and moved on to a different house anyway.
I had to laugh at this one, just based on my own experience. I started out with one loco and maybe 5-6 cars. A year later I had over 100 cars and 5-6 locos. They do have a way of growing!
LOL I am an unemployed college student with 2 small children. The budget won't allow my collection to grow THAT much. I might expand my collection a bit next summer if my neighbor decides to sell his stuff, but it won't be enough to warrant hidden staging or anything.
A few suggestions: Run a viewblock down the middle (green line in attached drawing) Remove the spurs marked with red stars (that's a personal preference - I prefer not to route the main through a diverging path) Add the spur in red on the right side. If you can afford it, put a curved turnout in where marked in blue. You could also have the spurs at the bottom cross each other for longer tracks. But your layout, your choices...
I really like this idea and if my neighbor has any curved switches available then I will definitely do that. I think that staging track is too short as it is currently and I would like to fit a longer train on it. I was also definitely going to put a viewblock in there. As for getting rid of the spurs, I would probably shorten the one in the lower left, but I'm not sure if I will give it up completely. I will definitely make the change on the other spur though. I was already considering it anyway.
Is this gonna be Unitrack or flex? If it's gonna be flex then consider breaking up the rectilinearity, e.g. run the tracks at slight angles to the edge of the board.
It will be flex. I used Unitrack on my N scale layout, but this one will be all Atlas and the switches (at least the ones in front) will be all ground throws. I will be using a pair of switch machines to control the ones in back. My neighbor is trying to convince me that a 2x10 or possibly 28" x 10' switching layout will be better in the long run since I can still get my "fix" for going round and round by volunteering at the museum or playing with my N scale layout. I am not going to fully change my mind yet, but if there are any really neat switching plans that would fit in that space I will consider them. Please let me know! I have never had a switching layout and I would be lying if I said it wasn't at least a little interesting.
