Layouts - Big or Little...Does Size Matter?Z

OK, fellow Trainboarders!! Since we are in an opinion mode, I thought I would as these questions? Is your layout small (less than 32 sf {4X8}), or large (more than 32 sf)? Why did you make the choice? What size layout would you prefer? Why?

For me, and as many of you by now are quite aware, my Shenango Valley RR is 14x7, and going on 18 years old. When I was a young whipper snapper, I was thin as a rail and could climb all around that layout like a minkey (pronounced a la Inspector Clouseau). Now I am 55 and built more like Steven Urkel's neighbor, the cop who was Willis's buddy on Die Hard. You can imagine me climbing around my layout now...not a pretty picture. I had an opportunity to sell, (I can't dismantle my layout) and jumped at it. I was given a fully tracked, wired, ground covered 4x7 (small)layout a couple of months ago, which I am chomping at the bits to get at.

It is more practical for me, as it will be free standing on legs and casters, movable, and real accessible for upgrading scenes, looking at it from different vantage points and storing it in my garage. I am not asking a high price off the buyer, as shipping costs will be high, and I already have a backup layout ready to go.

The little I make off the old layout will be spent adding a/c in the garage, shelving and a new workbench and lights.

Plus my wife will have a little more room to store some of her stuff, as will I as I am strugging with storage space for 350+ unbuilt 1/25 scale model car kits, in addition to my trains.

Lets hear from y'all (Florida talk for "all of you")

Note this topic might be in other forums; this is for everyone, including those who participate in Trainboard.com forum exclusively.

 

The best layout I've had so far was a 8' x 12' L-shaped one that I copied from a MR magazine back in 1979. That was destroyed after my wife's cat peed on it. Currently I am working on my latest effort in a 16' x 20' barn I had built just for my trains. Since it will be rather large I am working in stages. Stage 1 is 2' x 20' and will be my yard and engine facility.

 

Johnnie,
In case you have any residual feelings about the cat ruining your layout, you could send him (her, it) down here, and I could do a public service by feeding the endangered species (alligator) in the pond in my back yard.

If you in fact have forgiven the cat, disregard the above request.

Ken "Kibbles and Bits Steamguy" Willaman

 

Hey Johnnie,

I heard cat fur makes great model weeds!

I like shelf style or modular layouts because I run modern equipment and a small island layout doesn't handle large turn radius or huge tank cars, etc. very well.

 

My layout is 8X11 (L shape), and is an expanded version of a 4X8 layout plan I came across in an Atlas book. I would have made it bigger but my available space limited me to what I have. I also didn't want to go overboard on my first layout attempt in 20 years.

If I could have my way (along with the space and resources), I'd build the biggest layout possible. I love to see long trains run with multi-loco lash-ups through long stretches of scenic mainlines. I love to see huge yards cramed full of cars being tended to by a an array of switchers. To me, this is how it's done in 1:1.

Yeah, it's quite a dream! But I'm fully occupied in my 8x11 space for now.

 

I am building a 8 X 11 U shape layout. 8' across the south side. 11' down the west side and 9' on the east side with 3 foot square on each of the end for continued train running. See "Telegraphers Revise Layout" forum It is about 55 square feet.

 

The cat got his comeuppance and justice was served. The following Mother's Day, while my wife was enjoying breakfast in bed, he peed on her. Next day, pound!

[ 01. August 2002, 19:53: Message edited by: Johnnie C. Scott ]

 

When I started my layout I lived in a 2 bedroom townhouse. That made my decision between HO and N. The size is 5'x3' and is on casters so it can be moved with ease. Now that I am sold on "N" I am planning to have a train room in the basement of my retirement home where I can build a large layout and run Loooooooong trains.

 

My new layout (just starting) is an L-shaped shelf railroad. The shelves are 18" wide; one leg is 16' long, the other 8'. This is strictly freelance; I didn't use any published track plan.
There are two small cities and two villages. The era is 1950-70, a Midwest shortline that's a fictional subsidiary of the Milwaukee Road.
There's only one line; it's point-to-point. This is the first house that provides a spot for what I consider a medium-sized RR. I don't want a mega layout nor fast-paced trains. We'll just mosey along and have some fun.

John Adney
Marion, Iowa

 

if I had a cat that did that, I'd be having "cat stew" for dinner that night!!! (I'm serious,too!!!)

 

First, my dad and uncle had a square shaped N scale layout which was probably 10x15 and was about 1 ft. in width all the way around. I was 2 when they were done. It was taken down and sold when I was like 5. Then I got a HO layout put on a 4x8 sheet of plywood when I was 8. This lasted a while and was taken apart when we moved 3 years later. Last year we started a small "U" shaped temporary N scale layout on two 4x8 sheets of plywood with a 4'x2' conection sheet. Do to a renavation project if you will, we took it down and started another n scale layout which is 18x9 with a 3x5 chunk sticking into the space and also a open entrence to the room wich takes away another 6 feet. Room is still good sized and I almost have bench work completed. I just turned 16 in June.
Now given that, I would say the bigger one is better. Just for the fact it has more possibility and freedom to move. I would also say around the wall also adds to this consept of freedom to movement. In English, I like the 18x9 layout the best.

[ 10. August 2002, 05:17: Message edited by: sd40 ]

 

For years, I had a 2 1/2' by 3 1/2' layout because that was all I had space for. Was and is a great little layout. It resides under my new layout now. Just can't seem to part with it. My current under construction layout is in a 13' x 18' room in the basement. So to answer the original question, no size doesn't matter at all. It's the fun that matters.

 

Yeah, the future wife loves the cats but hates all the fur they shed. I can just imagine the conversation if I told her I could use it on the layout.

 

As many of you know, my railroad has been in the planning stage since 1965.
It will be LARGE, filling all of a two-story colonial's basement.
Two levels, single track, with at least three train lengths between passing sidings.
It is not "my" railroad as much as it is a hosted club layout....many from my NTRAK club and a couple other groups are helping build it and are looking forward to operating it.
Such a large layout is beyond my capability to build by myself...
Last worknight we got the plywood mounting blocks on about 75% of the wall shelf brackets.
Before the next session I have to dig out the rest of the plywood to make the balance of the blocks and start ripping 1x3s for the layout section framing and convert some sheets of 1/8" masonite into 2" strips for roadbed spline.
The workers get cranky when they can't make progress due to lack of materials.
Another reason for not being a Lone Wolf (cross posting from a previous subject!)... peer pressure keeps the motivation from dropping off!
Charlie

 

I guess it kinda shows that size is relative. I had (recently dismanteled) 56 sq ft. G shaped layout. I thought it was rather small...being in a space 14' by 8'. Now some are calling that large?

My new layout is in the same space, about the same size, but will be "around the walls" shelf style, 2' wide, with an open operating pit in the middle. There's hope that there will be a lift out section, but not sure that it's going to be really removable, and provide consistant good running.

Jeff
Augsburg & Concord R.R.
(a fictional shortline in Central Illinois)
http://www.pegnsean.net/~revnjeff

 

Jeff,
I think the way you came up with the road name and slogan is very cool!