A 10' x 14' space with a post for HO

A 10' x 14' space with a post for HO
-----------------------------------------------

After moving I am considering HO.
I may stick with N, who knows.

I have thought of a L or U shaped layout.
I have also thought about a 6' x 12' in the middle.
I have also thought about a 10'x 14' with a 4'x'6'
opening in the middle.

This corner is all I have to work with.
The left and bottom are to open space.



I am looking for the most bang for the space.
I want the minimum radius to be 22'-26', not sure.

This will be a 1980's SP SSW DRGW ATSF.
( CO, UT, AZ looking, not really sure. )

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Thanks,
Loco1999

 

Loco1999:

You have enough room on both ends of the "C" for the radii you want.

You best space for a small yard is on the right side of the "C".

You could put one long passing siding on the top and maybe a siding or two where your cutout is on the bottom.

It's hard for me to reflect back to HO after being in N scale for the past number of years.

BTW, that would be a great space for a very nice N scale layout.

You could put a switching HO layout underneath the N scale layout.

Just raise the bench work to 58-60 inches and you could have the best of both worlds.

N scale on top and HO on the bottom.

That way you could keep all your "stuff".

I did that with O gauge and HO in my house up north many, many moons ago..


Just a thought for you to think about.

Have fun....

Stay cool and run steam.....

[ October 29, 2005, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]

 

Loco1999,

Just some food for thought FWIW:

The thing that jumps out at me with what you've laid out is the 36" reach (minimum). That seems like a lot and would depend on the height of your layout. 30 inches would be better so you could access all parts of your layout (unless you're installing access hatches).

HO or N would depend on what you're looking for out of the layout. 80s SP - are you planning on running 89 foot flats, auto racks, and boxcars? N would be better there. Powersteam has a good option for you to keep both (one layout over the other)

One final idea in order to eliminate the access problem and eliminate the return ballons (if you're looking for continuous running). Why not do an around the wall/area (24 to 30 inches wide). You could do a point-to-point to the limits you have drawn when you want to have quick operations or test equipment.

On other days you could add two 2'x4' modules (N-Trak?) along the bottom and an adapted connector for the bottom left corner. That way you don't eat up space with return loops. You can use the modules at an N-Trak set up (or the HO equivalent).

You (and others) operate from the center. When you're not operating, the modules could be stored under the main layout. You could run the yard (or industry sidings) along the top or as part of the modules along the bottom.

Just some quick thoughts. Have fun with it!

 

Hey Loco1999,

I have a 10x10 space so here is what I came up with. Tried to limit the reach to 30" but still have 22" min radius. Walls are on the left and top, totally open right and bottom.

 

Chad:

Very nice trackplan. Have fun planning your HO.

I'm interested in that Kato ATSF F-7.

Stay cool and run steam...

 

Thanks for the Ideas.

Chad, I really like your plan.
I may steal some ideas if I go
back to the "U" or "C" shape.

I got busy over the weekend
but I did draw this general shape.



The track plan is just a rough idea.

The main thing is I am working on
the best shape for the space.

Thanks,
Loco1999

 

I built a building around my post and made it a part of the layout. Others may have tried that, too.

 

Loco1999:

Keep that liftout to a bare minimum number of tracks.


Stay cool and run steam.....

 

If the space on the left and bottom is open, why not stretch that second idea longer? Can't you use that space outside the layout area as an aisle? You're already doing that on the bottom - always a good idea for getting the most use out of the difference between political boundaries and walls.

 

Thanks for some ideas. .

The 10'x12' I drew could be 10'x14' around the post.

That is the max size that would fit.

I think the lift-out is an issue an
am still thinking "U" or "C".

I am not ready to part with some
of my n scale equipment and I don't
want to fleet build in HO yet.

I will consider the HO at 36" and the N at 54".

Maybe a simple "L" shape around the walls.

Any other ideas are welcome.

Thanks,
Loco1999

 

With two layouts on different levels, a lift-out on both would be a lot of inconvenience. Since it's easier to turn around in a small space in N, I would suggest the lift-out on the HO only.

If you were doing the two layouts, what would be the locale and era for each? Both wouldn't be 80's SP, I presume...

 

I was saying double deck around
the walls only. No lift outs at all.

I think it's tougher to part with my
n scale equipment than I thought.

80's SP and 70's SP.

Not Sure....

Thanks,
Loco1999

 

Loco1999:

The plan I suggested for both layouts is very feasible, with the N scale on top and the HO below.

You can use the same DCC system changing the track voltage when running the HO to 16 volts and 11-13 volts when you run N scale.

Have fun....

Stay cool and run steam....

 

Heres what you drew loco, in xtrkcad format using a little poetic licence to make the yard a workable length. :


All turnouts are Peco mediums.

 

Quote:



Thanks disisme.

That looks pretty cool.

What's the mainline min radius?
( outer and inner loops )

Thanks,
Loco1999

 

L:OL..its just what you drew, but in 'real' virtual track

 

Maybe that's why I like it.

I will try to get better with the xtrkcad.

Loco1999

 

Loco1999:

That is a nice layout.


Stay cool and run steam.....

 

Thanks for some ideas.

Here are two choices to maximize space.

#1




#2




Which way would you go for HO ?

Which way would you go for N ?


Thanks,
Loco1999