Hello Everyone, I'm trying to come up with ideas for a track plan for a 4X8 Conrail themed layout. I only have room for a 4X8 layout sadly enough. The layout will have 3 customers and a small yard for the local train to originate out of. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for track plans? Eric
Mikes Small Track Plans is a great place to start for inspiration. http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm
I have built the Atlas "Plywood Summit Lines" with some modifications, It is a layout designed with steep grades and mines or logging though, not so much a Class III Railroad. Instead of the Wye on the hill I put in a track with a siding at a mine. And in the yard area below the TT I put in an extra yard track, so I have 3 yard tracks instead of 2. I also install an additional track at the very bottom off of that existing spur. There was room here for a small sawmill. It is enjoyable and keeps me busy and interested. Other plans are here. Don't pay attention to the price, you can shop around for the track you will need and easily save 50% off those "list" prices from Atlas.
I have an old copy of Atlas' Kingsized Layout Planbook with the Plywood Summit Lines in it. I've always thought it would make a pretty cool layout, but I never had a chance to build it. I model in N scale, but any HO 4x8 layout would work for me in a slightly larger size than 2x4.
I figured it would take about 6 post for someone to suggest that. You proved me wrong. My HO looks great, I can actually see it. :tb-wink:
I Google'd Atlas Code 83 track and went to the first website here. [FONT="] Ho Code-83 9" Straight Track –(8) - .88 each 7.05[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 15" Radius Track –(2) - .88 each 1.76[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 18" Radius Track – (24) - .88 each 21.15[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 22" Radius Track –(3) - .88 each 2.64[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 Superflex Track (3) -3.69 each 11.07[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 Wye Custom Turnout (4) -12.19 each 48.76[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 #4 Custom Line Turnout Left (5) -12.19 each 60.95 [/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 #4 Custom Line Turnout Right (3) -12.19 each 36.57 [/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Turntable Motor Drive 1 31.00 (Not track, but what the heck)[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Turntable 1 $31.00[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 6" Straight Section (3) 2.89[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 3" Straight Section – (4) Unit 1 2.89[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 1/2 15" Radius Section (4)/Unit 1 2.89[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 1/2 18" Radius Section –(4)/Ut 1 2.89[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 1/3 18" Radius Section (4)/Unit 3 2.89[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 Bumper 5 4.36[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="] Ho Code-83 Rerailer 1 7.15[/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] [/FONT] [FONT="] Total $277.91[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="]The Atlas website has it for $746.00, my savings would be better than 50%.[/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="]Myth busted...... [/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT] [FONT="][/FONT]
No myth. The track itself that you listed, from an individual standpoint is not more than 50% off. It's less than 30% off. So your math is correct. I'm calling Atlas tomorrow and seeing why they are adding an extra $500+ on some of those layouts. Do they come with other things that aren't listed? Geared Steam-Y I didn't mean to make a big deal out of the situation. I was saying from a retail standpoint, since I work in a hobby shop, that you can't buy the individual tracks and switches for 50% off. You would be buying it for less then the owner of a store would pay for it. Sorry if I offended.
It appears the atlas packages come with all the components necessary, not just the track. At 10 bucks per switch machine, 5 bucks per selector, ect.. those packages can add up fast. https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/customkititems.asp?CartId={FFC3ABC3-9E8DEVEREST-402A-AD83-C229C6D6B5CB}&kc=K10029-83&eq=
I agree. Odd as this may sound, if someone has room for a 4'x8' they might have room for a "larger" layout that takes less space! You need two feet to maneuver around uncomfortably. This means that a 4'x8' ends up needing 8'x12' if it's in the middle of the room. Stick it in the corner and it "only" requires 6'x10' but you cannot reach most of it. About a year and a half ago, MR had an article with what I think of as one of the most innovative ideas they have ever shown on a '4x8' in N. Cut it up... You can make 1-foot wide shelf layout that is 8'x10' with three-foot end loops out of one sheet of plywood. You get many more feet of running with this for the exact same area! The same would work as point-to-point in HO though I personally don't get excited by that idea. Terry
As I pointed out in the other forum where the OP made the same request, there are many good alternatives to the HO 4X8 in the same overall area. HO 4X8 Alternatives For island layouts, 5-by-anything is often a better choice in HO, especially for more modern eras (5X8, 5X9, etc.). I also pointed out in the other forum that if he already had built the 4X8 table, but was willing to forgo the continuous run, a decent switching layout is possible based on Linn Westcott's "Switchman's Nightmare". HO 4X8 Switchman's Nightmare It was a good article, but IMHO the resulting layouts were hamstrung by the gimmick of using only one sheet of plywood and insisting on a flat full tabletop. Bottom line, if one does not fear the saw, a better layout can result in almost any space than an HO 4X8.