Help with small switching layout ideas

Lake Cities Apr 27, 2006

  1. Lake Cities

    Lake Cities E-Mail Bounces

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    I'm moving into my own apartment in the next few days and am thrilled by the prospect of finally building a layout. However, my apartment is not very big. I have HO equipment already in my collection, so N scale is really not an option considering my investment in HO and the fact that when I get my own place someday I want an HO layout.

    Anyway, I've got a limited amount of space and find myself with a question. Should I build something that is about 3.5' x 5' or should I make a layout that is linear, about 12'' by 6'? I'm a fan of switching as opposed to mainline running. So something that I could have that would involve at least 3 or 4 types of cars to switch out with a GP38 would be ideal.

    With a 3.5 x 5, I could have a loop with a few sidings to serve. This would give me the benefit of simulating length on a layout by running the loop a few times.

    With a linear layout along a single wall, however, I have the ability to "leave a yard" at one end with the local and drop cars at industries along the way to the end of the line. I was figuring I could have a run returning to the yard with the outbound cars. This could be accomplished by switching out the inbound cars as I go along and adding the outbound cars to the train as well. Once reaching the end of the line, I could have a run around track to get around the train to pull it back to the "yard" at the beginning.

    So which is the better way when it comes to switching? I realize that having a layout that is linear and only 12-14 inches wide, I'd have to limit the size of the industry buildings (or turn them into 'background buildings' by cutting them and splicing them into the background).

    Also, if anyone knows of any good designs, could you throw them my way?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. StickyMonk

    StickyMonk TrainBoard Member

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    If you do not want a continous run it is best to go for the linear approach, my own layout is basically a linear layout but goes full curcuit found my workshop.

    I shall post a track plan of it later :)

    as for industries the flat ones on the backscene, also you could have a full width building on one end, or use one as a senic divider between the industrial area and your yard by running through it or between 2 close together.
     
  3. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    I'm very pleased with my Third Street Industrial District. It was in Model Railroader Nov. 85 published by Bill Baumann. Then it was 10' x 2'. Just the wanted size. I made it a little bit bigger. Look at my track plan.At my RailImages album you will find pictures, too.

    Wolfgang
     
  4. Powersteamguy1790

    Powersteamguy1790 Permanently dispatched

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    You could make a nice switching module in that space that would keep you very busy.

    Stay cool and run steam.....:cool: :cool:
     
  5. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    6' isn't much "run". It's not even enough length for ten 50' cars coupled together.
     
  6. Lake Cities

    Lake Cities E-Mail Bounces

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    Triplex-

    That is the problem I've run into. Although I am willing to sacrifice the amount of cars in order to fit it into the 6'. I can probably add another foot to it, but it's all I can really fit into the space I have.

    What I want is just a fun little switching setup that I can operate for awhile. I was thinking of perhaps making the whole 6' one large scale industry, something like a paper mill or chemical plant in order to make it seem like my engine is just switching out a large scale industry.

    I'm interested in hearing what you guys think of that last option. This will be my first real detailed layout, so I'm hoping to tap into the experience and knowledge the members here have!
     
  7. isboris4449

    isboris4449 In Memoriam

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    If you have the room for it when you operate, a fold down section can give you a little yard to simulate an interchange with another railroad, yet not take up valuable space when you are engaged in other activities. If such things interest you, you could even have a carferry apron and simulate cars moving on and off the layout that way.

    Tom
     
  8. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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  9. moose

    moose TrainBoard Member

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    Here ya go, they are all HO switching plans: http://andrews-trains.fotopic.net/c374578.html



     
  10. wsor4050

    wsor4050 E-Mail Bounces

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    I've just built a 6' by 1' switching layout that might be of interest to you. Operations are a bit limited ( just pulling two cars on and taking two cars off. but it can keep me busy for a hour or so.
    Take a look. It's at http://thegilberts.fotopic.net/c923670.html
    And it only took a week it get from a bare piece of plywood to these photos...
     
  11. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    You guys might add an over-head crane that would allow you to off-load one car, onto another on an adjacent track, or a semi-trailer truck sitting between. Operate the crane with small cranks for cross travel and lift. (Prepare small loops of wire on the loads, to hook into.)

    This would give you some variety, then you could change places with the cars, and change loads again. You could also have a crane at one or more of the industries, and off load to a dock there.
     
  12. brakie

    brakie TrainBoard Member

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  13. dingoix

    dingoix TrainBoard Member

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    Larry, I think that's a very good plan for 1'x6'. I'd have a lot of fun with that little layout. Get a Geep and 20 freight cars and you're good to go.

    I'd have a look at this 4x6 layout http://www.gatewaynmra.org/project09.htm you can get a lot of switching and continous run on a 4x6.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    You could build a very nice shelf layout for switching, and then have a flat slab of plywood with a basic oval type layout for those times you just want to sit back and watch them run. The shelf would allow you to do some fine scale modelling without taking up too much space in the house. The runner layout could even be unitrack and no slab of wood, simply put it together on the dining table when you get the urge to run laps.

    Otherwise you also have crazy options such as...

    There have been people who built layouts on small shelves that ran over the tops of doors. You could build a giant oval around the ceiling of your living room with some switching.

    I have seen some HO scale door panel layouts that were built with 15" radius curves. This could easily be placed over an area of your house where you have some low items such a large TV or a bike storage area by your front door.

    http://www.thortrains.net/marx/drlayho1.html

    I like the bottom one with the reverse loop on it.
     
  15. stewarttrains98

    stewarttrains98 TrainBoard Member

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    Here is a link to small shelf style layouts.
    http://andrews-trains.fotopic.net/c374578.html
    You could maybe get some ideas here. You could even splice a few together and come up with one great looking, heavy switching modular layout. I took 2 seperate plans and had them spliced together to come up with whaty I am going to be building in the future. Have a few other projects that I need to complete before hand.
     
  16. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    You could also hjinge a drop down oval, that could be raised and sit on a couple of legs that fold flat when the oval is down. Email me for a sketch if interested.
     
  17. EL03440

    EL03440 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Very nice. Great detail. I like you railroad alot.

    John
     
  18. pjb

    pjb E-Mail Bounces

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    ERAS

    Consider changing eras. 150 years ago the equipment
    was small and everything was handled by railroads.
    There is much equipment available for 100 years ago,
    and the cars were still smaller on average, and had
    a great variety of types while still carrying everything.
    Express, and Mail were big labor intensive railroad
    services. You will have a hell of a lot more fun, as well
    as expand your knowledge of the past, if you opt
    for modelling any time anteGreat war.
    There is also equipment available for modelling the
    period 1830 to Civil War. This requires lots more work,
    but since all you have is a 1X6 area to work with that
    is not insurmountable.

    There are several YAHOO groups, notably
    "Early Rail" , but also "TOCNG",
    the 1914 era group, and so forth... that along
    with the 2,000 member "SLDG" (small layout design group), that does not cater to any era, but
    obviously relates to your space - which would be
    of help to you.
    In any event, Good-Luck,
    PJB
     
  19. Lake Cities

    Lake Cities E-Mail Bounces

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    Thanks for all the assistance guys. The plan is temporarily on hold as I'm close to gaining the ability to get some N-scale stuff from someone for free that would allow me to build a larger layout in the same space. I have, however, added all these links to my bookmarks and will surely keep them in mind for any future plans.

    After all, I'm an HO guy at heart, so I'll definitely be coming back to it sooner than later! lol
     
  20. watash

    watash Passed away March 7, 2010 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Nothing wrong with modeling in more than one scale, Lake City, and you still have a few years to experiment. Enjoy trains! :D
     

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