good day folks, well, this is my jumping off point.i bought a sheet of 5/8 ply, a dozen or so 2x3 and started clearing out half of my workshop. i will post photos as i progress. It looks a mess but i hope to have it looking more presentable shortly. [I hate clutter] I am still not sure of the exact layout yet but i know that i would like a multi level, bridges, scenery, tunnels. mountains etc etc. sounds like a lot but i am hoping we can do this with help from you all. Maybe as a beginner, others can follow and learn from my trial and errors. Well, time to head downstairs and build the foundation of our future model. Notice i said 'our', that is for you all to share with me. I would apreciate some thoughts of layouts starting on a 4x8 which is expandable. thanks
Have you looked at the layouts on RailImages.com? They are the layouts of all the members and there is alot of good reference material there. Plenty of people have started out with the 4x8. what kind of size space do you have? Can you do a slightly larger layout? I only ask because I think you might quickly get frustrated with the 4x8 and you may as well go slightly bigger. The shape of the box has it's limits as well. There is always space in the middle that gets wasted. You may want to take a piece of paper with squares marked on it to represent your 4x8 foot slab, and then cut them out and start playing with how to arrange that. You may come up with some shapes that allow for longer mainline running. You may also realize you can add just a tiny bit of square footage and get so much more for your layout. The biggest drawback of the 4x8 is that it limits you to 18 inch curves. Though functional, it would limit the types of engines you can purchase. if you can go even 6 inches wider than 4 feet you can get slightly wider curves. Despite all that, there are some fun 4x8 plans in the HO layouts for beginners book by atlas. You may want to check that out for ideas. Most of their plans can be found on the Atlasrr.com website under the layouts tab. Have fun.
thanks guys, yes i plan and hope to expand. I'm starting with a 4x8 and i think placing another 4x8 in the shape of a T.I started today and making the height at 42" [ standard bar top heighr] no, i don't drink. I will get back a little later, Prob the top part of the T will be the 4x8 and the bottom a 4x6.This will give me at least access all around. what do you think? Oh yes , the room is 13.5 x 12 [ January 15, 2006, 04:07 PM: Message edited by: Joseph ]
In a 13'6"x12' room, you can do better than an island layout. You can go around the walls, getting larger curves and a longer mainline. Most people would advise building the layout higher, like 48".
You will eventually have to reach over to pick up a derailed car or engine. You will also have to lay and clean track and scenery over there. An island layout is OK so long as you can easily get all around it for 'reach'. At 48" measure to see how far you can reach without your shirt or coat dragging any nearby cars off the track, (possibly to the floor). By using the 5/8" plywood, you could lean on the table top when standing on a small step stool and reach way over, but if you try to (or have to) lean on the layout, and there is foam scenery where you put your hand to lean some weight, your hand will mash down into the foam! If you build around the walls, or decide to move this 4x8 into a corner and extend from there, 'reach' will become a problem then. I'll give you 21 guesses about how I know this, (and 20 don't count!) (If I stand up, I can safely reach and pick up an engine up to 30" away and not destroy a building or knock over cars in between. I am 5'10", but my layout is 30" off the floor, because I have to sit to operate it.)
Yes, i've looked at a lot of layouts on railimages , they are awesome, makes me wonder if i've bitten off more than i can chew. I can walk allaround my layout, it's an L shape,4x8 and in total, 103"x53" on the other part of the L. It is finished off at 42" high. It is very comfortable for me at that barstool height. now all i have to do is decide on the layout. That is where i am stuck, but getting closer, at least for now the room is cleared and the table is up and ready.of course the next decision is what to model. In the US there are obviously a multitude of choices as to our CN or CP , but i'm a newbie and will continue to research and hassle you guys for help. Thanks.
There's nothing stopping you from modelling a US road in Canada. In fact, since most model equipment isn't made here, you'll probably find it a little easier to model a US prototype... [ January 25, 2006, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: Triplex ]
CN and CP interchanges frequently with U.S. roads anyway so you can mix U.S. and Canadian rolling stock/motive power no problem! Heck, CP SD40-2s have made it all the way south to where I am here on Long Island, New York! I've seen them at the Fresh Pond Yard here. On top of that, much of the rolling stock and motive power are used on both sides of the border... Even VIA in Canada is using the same General Electric P42DC AMD103 Genesis passenger locos as Amtrak. The world is your oyster!
thanks guys, apreciate the feedback. my next engine will most certainly be an cn. thanks. True, it's a small world.
