12x8 modular layout help

hello i am new here and to model railroading i have a 12x8 space and would like to build a HO modular layout right now i have 2 2x8's, 4 2x4's, and 1 2x2

i would like to build it in sections as i might me moving soon. i would really like these

1) cont. running is a must

2)mountains with a mine

3)small yard with engine survice

4)small intermodel yard

i would really like to run trains though mountains and have a river with a long mainline. thanks SD20

 

I presume you mean sectional rather than modular, unless you intend to connect to other modellers' layouts.

Is this a 12x8 room or a 12x8 space in a larger room?

In this size space, the most important question is: Can you accept a duckunder?

What equipment will you be running?

 

oh yes then sectional it is i do not intend to connect to other modellers' layouts my mistake.

it is a 12x8 space in a larger room the top is the only side against a wall all other sides are open i have about 1' on the left side and 1' on the right side there are no windows or doors the room just opens up with out a door we took it out. and maybe 4' at the bottom. but i can only expand on the 2 sides but would rather keep it open for access

i am willing to have a duckunder i am young so it wont be bad but since this is a sectional could we just make 1 of the sections lift out?

i will be running coal cars, frieght, intermodel cars, and maybe some tankers and flat cars, and grain cars only a couple

as for engines i plan to run mostly diesel and a couple steamers as i like both maybe like steam at the coal mines?

thanks for the fast reply

 

Is the top one of the 12' sides or one of the 8' sides?

I don't have any experience with lift-out sections, but I think you should make it small and lightweight - not a full 2' wide structure. Also, I would think a folding/swinging/whatever gate would be more convenient than a lift-out.

Your information on car types is useful for industry purposes, but what I wanted to know was the sizes of equipment to know what size curves and turnouts are necessary.

 

Triplex,

the top is the 12' sides

ok that works too with the swing thing gate

well i would like a min of 24 radius on mainline or bigger and 18 radius for industry and i have nothing bigger than a 4 axil loco but for turnouts i have about 20 or so atlas standard turnouts since thats all my LHS stocks in the turnout department and the biggest cars i have are the intermodal cars

 

HemiAdda2d thanks for the post,

no i dont have any prebuilt modules i just have some wood for baseboard in those demesntions

no i can assemble the modules once i build them but i need help to design a layout

ok if we can fit 30" rad

 

Triplex and HemiAdda2d is what i want to put into this layout reasonable? for industy wise i would like a caol mine small yard with engine survice, grain, and an intermodel yard?

 

I would assume since you want a duck under or a lift bridge section for access you want this to be operating from the center of the layout? I have an N-scale layout that is 8X12 that is built this way. I also would assume you want a single mainline that crosses over itself so the train has to go around the layout twice to make a complete loop? You say you are running steam and diesel so I would also assume your motive power is 1st gen diesels with late era steam? If this is the case why are you wanting intermodal yard? How big do you want your yard to be and what kind of yard? 4 tracks? 5 tracks? stub end or run through yard? How big do you want your engine facility? Do you want an engine house or round house? If I have this info I might be able to draft something up for you?

 

cwwrman,

if i operate from the center will it be the best way or is there a better way

i like the idea of a cross over for the mainline to make a loop

well no not really i like steam and the modern diesels i am not really proto on the locos and i just like the look of intermodals so i wanted to incorperate them some how

i want maybe like a small to small med. yard 3 to 4 tracks stub or run through i would like a nice med. engine facility not round house or TT but an engine house

thanks

 

i was looking though the threads and i found a really nice yard in this one modules

 

i have a question about sectional layouts

should i lay track down then build scenery on it then move to the next section?

 

Well you are going to want to make sure your scenery lines up from section to section. When I was building my layout I layed the track down then worked on the scenery. Once I had completed laying the track across the end of each section I then cut the rail with a pair of rail nips. My scenery was similar to the same way but I did not use any glue where I knew the joint for the end of the module was. I would get the rough shape done then use a hand saw for cutting lumber to cut a seperation point in the styrofoam scenery. I could then go back over and lay down my ground foam after this was done.

I hope this information has helped you out.