I've decided to make the switch since I'm changing my modelling plans. Here's the catch: I'm spoiled by the ability to operate in a small space and I've been looking at all the threads/websites/etc on small layouts for HO. I'm going to be limited on space and that's fine since I'm wanting a shelf type switching layout. Do you guys think I can design a reasonable switching pike with a 4'x4' "L" shaped space? I'm kicking around a few things and not having much luck. I may try to go with a single 6' shelf, but I think the "L" gives me some flexibility and operating interest. I'm going to do a modern switcher and a rural type setting with a small elevator and a few other industries. if you have any links or suggestions I'd love to hear them. Thanks again and looking forward to handing out with all of you guys.
Hi Ron. I'm having a problem visualizing a "L" shaped 4' X 4' shelf railroad. In my mind's eye, that's a square! Can you help me out a little? Maybe a sketch of your plan would help.
How wide is your available space? Quite frankly I am having great difficulty envisioning what anyone could do in the space defined, using HO. Unless it is pretty much just a diorama for taking a few model photos. I'd fear a quick case of boredom.
I see what you mean Ironhorseman! I meant that I was thinking about a 4' x 18" shelf with another 4' shelf coming off of it in the corner, but I now see where my calculations are off. I'm so used to n scale that its no big deal to do a 1' shelf layout so I appologize for that. I think my best bet is to stick to a straight 6' shelf that's about 18-24" deep and just work with what I have. I may can extend it to 7', but that will be it. I'll get to work and try to post something soon. Thanks again for ya'll helping out!
You may want to take a look at www.patchrailroad.net I feel your pain having been in N, and dabbled in HO, since 1979. You won't have those multi-engine lashups and long grain trains but you can have decent sound and make a nice switching layout in that space, especially if you stick with mostly 40-ft cars. That doesn't mean you have to be a transition modeller either. You can use some modern 40 ft boxcars obviously. As for motive power, take a look at the Bachmann Sound-Value line (F7s, FA2s, S4s, and S2s and for steam the 2-6-0 Mogul is nice. I have been impressed with my S4 and FA2s which I bought on a whim since I found them so cheaply, new, on ebay (like under $60). I run modern so I tend to rely more on my Genesis MP15AC for switching duties. Bill McBride
I don't think you'll have any problems coming up with a switching layout in the space you're talking about. Although I do have a fairly large room for a layout, I designed the layout to be a switching layout, with the mainline going through the layout only one time, allowing me to have extra space for industries, towns and scenery. One town alone can keep me busy for well over an hour switching out a train. Over the years I have seen numerous articles on small switching layouts in model railroad magazines that don't take up much space and that can be quite challenging. Manufacturers, such as Walthers make what are called "background" kits for different industries that are only a couple of inches deep that will allow you to have a little more room. I have a few of these on my layout expansion. They are very handy. The previous post by wmcbride is a perfect example.
A 4 ft. x 4 ft. "L" by 18" wide switching layout based on urban scenery with a lot of trackwork in the street has been done quite a bit and from the ones I've seen, a lot of them very well. With the problems I'm encountering with my "big" layout am thinking along those lines myself. Big problem there is recovering from a year of medical "stuff." A big improvement here is the considerable improvements/types of girder rail etc. My last effort in this respect was about 30+ years ago, code 100 buried in plaster. Do-able but a lot of work. The newer rails and switches would appear to make this aspect a whole lot easier. And compression of scenes - well "skinning" a foot or even 5 from a city building (side by side by side...) would appear (it seems to me) less noticeable than a building standing alone. Then, at least in the era I model, the variety/types of cars switched could be considerable. With the prototype I have in mind could use every type cars although piggy backs might be stretching it. Need to be careful before I talk myself into something.
So, 4x4x18" meaning one leg runs 4' and the other tacks 2'6" onto the side? That's doable but small. 22" radius for sure which may be ok in a switching layout. I wouldn't poo poo that as an HO space. Having said that, going with a straight 6' or 7' means no space wasted on the curves.
I too left N after some 15 years in it..I simply got tired of how small it is when trying to work on things..I see it like this: N is great for long train running, 90 mph passenger or time freight, say..But with switching, HO equipment and especially dealing with couplers, I'm firmly back in HO..I concluded that I'd rarther have larger equipment and a smaller RR.. I think you should go with the 'L' shape as curve adds a little drama..Could you not add some plywood in corner to have a little more land mass to employ, say a siding on the curve or an interchange track crossing from corner ?
Yoho - You're right, one leg would be 2'-6" but having a piece at the joint of the 2 four foot lengths could work out. Or what I'd call a "flat gusset" could also be used. I used one on an older layout and it allowed a much larger radius. Then, don't forget the curved switches (turnouts) that are available. I had a 12" x 6 ft. layout once and when completed came to the conclusion that it should have been "L" shaped. If you've got an urban scene there are a lot of ways to distract attention even using 18" curves.
Meant to add also, unless you're talkin' strictly urban, city, keep in mind the possibility of a switchback RR. Train goes in one direction ascending about half way up..switch is here for tail track. Train goes into tail. Switch thrown and train reverses direction ,climbing 2nd leg to highest elevation..I have a roughly 40 ft long RR like this in my apartment..Limited space made me decide on a switchback RR..Though not too common any longer there a few still in use..Hagans SB on the L&N is one..If you go to the L&N Hisorical Society web there is an 'L' shape plan in HO for this. Again, adding the 'gusset' in corner would open up a myriad of siding, yard ladder or industries with loading dock possibilities...
I agree in going 6 ft instead of the L. You will waste a lot of area on the curve. Make the layout a little deeper (up to 24") if you can and use a staging cassette if you can as well. Run the main at a bias to the benchwork, and curve some sidings off the benchwork some instead of making them parallel. At 6 ft I'd have my main engine be a switcher instead of a geep and keep cars in the 50 ft range just to shorten sidings a little. You may want to use #5 switches, too. At 6 ft, you may want to orient all the switches in one direction (which can still work well if you're using a cassette) as a runaround track can eat up space. I think we would all like to give you a hand. Can you give us a drawing of your space? Possibly kick it over to the design discussion as well.
Would it be possible to, say, run one leg 6 or 7 feet with a 4-foot leg jutting off to the left or right? A switcher would work as motive power, and you could go as tight as 18" for radius with #4 turnouts in a few spots. This is assuming that you're interested in an urban switching layout, or perhaps even modeling an industrial park with its own railroad.
There are lots of switching opportunities, have you read Lance Mindheim's books on switching layouts? I highly recommend them and also his YouTube site. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Take a look at this link. I am switching to HO from Z(to small for me any more) this plan can be modified but it gives you some ideas on dealing with an L shaped layout. My goal is to use it full or almost full size but who knows I might have to shrink it a bit.. http://www.modeltrainbuilder.com/benchwork-plans.html
Maybe I missed it, but what kind of locos and stock are you gonna run? Something like an auto rack won't be easy to move around such a small layout. My advice is to search for O scale switching layouts and reduce the plan. A lot of O scalers have to really work to squeeze their layout into a given space and have come up with good ideas for that. Also, look for a British railway forum, the Brits work wonders with "shunting layouts". Interestingly, On30 scale would be kind of cool in a city setting. They make some nice short wheel base locos of all kinds for it too.
OK guys. Sorry for the delay in getting back. My area I can work with is a rectangular 65"x20" shelf. I'm a little worried I can't get a reasonably operational switching layout into that area in HO and may have to stick with N scale. I want to use a single GP40 or similar modern switcher and modern covered hoppers/boxcars/tank cars, etc. Do you guys think I can do it in HO in that space restriction or should I jump back onto the N scale ship and just get a better set of bifocals?
I have a 14"x86" N scale switching layout. I was hoping when I drew it up to have 5 car trains pulled by a pair of 4 axle GP's/U-Boats...it wound up being 1 loco, 3-4 cars and a caboose. I really wish that I had another 3 feet to play with.
That looks fun Bremner. I guess I always shrug my shoulders when I see people saying they don't have enough space for a layout. Keep the models and terminals and industries inside, and put the mainlines outside where you can get scale length runs. Either that, or build a module for modeling and a runner for running. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5jSTPl76rE
