This is a 2x4 layout from Great Model Layouts 2002 but done in Kato Unitrack and found on the Kato USA website. I've always liked it because it gives you a couple of places to put industries or a team track (or even connect to staging) and it has a place for a locomotive to run around when switching. (Click on image to be connected to the webpage with track list) Andy Tetsu Uma
Congrats on getting your daughter involved in model railroading. Mine (now nine) really digs all the modeling & running trains, too, though I suspect it's really because we can spend time together. Atlas Code 55 has #5s, Code 80 has #4 (though really #4.5s). You're going to be running shorter locos & rolling stock, so go with the smallest possible. I have a few 2'x4' (and longer) designs on my website. How old is your kid? The age makes a big difference. They grow out of the roundy-round pretty quick, and really get into switching operations, or timing it so trains pass each other. Starting around 5 or 6 they want to start building & helping with all aspects of the layout. So consider a single main with a passing siding that doubles as a runaround that triples as a yard lead. I recommend starting with a 2'x4' sanded-plywood handy panel, some pink foam, and Unitrack: Unitrack allows kids to get involved a lot earlier, it bulletproof, and gets trains running sooner than Atlas C55 flex. If the layout is more for you, then go with the Atlas. The layout I posted above allows for easy benchwork & trackwork and with a lot of skill-building projects that you both can work on while trains run (and run well): mountains, trees, water, buildings, bridges, backdrops, building flats, roads, etc. Her skills will rapidly outstrip the pace you can build a layout! So build something that you both enjoy operating!
24x48 Track Plan Here is a 24x48" track plan I've had a lot of fun with. This uses Unitrak and all turnouts are #4. There are two mains. The outer one is a double loop with a crossover, which makes for more interesting running. It uses 11" and 9.75" curves. The inner loop uses 8.5" curves. These smaller radii are fine when used with 40' or shorter cars and smaller engines (switchers and 4-axel diesels like GP-35, GP-7, RS-3, etc). In this photo it's being powered with DCC for easy control of two trains. There are two places that allow crossing between the two mains, plus lots of yard switching opportunities. This allows all sorts of operating possibilities. It's a bit crowded and busy of course - I did this just to see how much operations could be achieved in 24x48 (the exact size of this counter space). It could all be rearranged depending on what sort of scenery would be added. It's definitely possible to have lots of operating fun and variety in that space. N scale is great. Regards, Clayton
I built a 3x4 layout. It was cheap to build because of the size, but it got crowded very quickly. I tried to run two trains at once and I managed, but it would have run more smoothly if I had more elbow room. The sharp 9 3/4 curves limited me on loco size, and were prone to derailments. But FWIW the size a nice introductory layout which was useful for cutting my teeth on what the hobby had to offer. I think it will serve you well if its a family project!
@Seajay: That's an impressive amount of track and some fun running for a 2x4 plan. confusedo you have any interference issues for two side-by-side passages on the left side? (I had interference when trying to use Superliner consists on a dbl-track main on my 2x8, so took out the dbl main.)
It was a lot of fun and I used it for over a year. No, never did. I loved to set two trains loose at the same speed and watch how they converged at different places. One of my favorites was seeing them round that left curve side by side in tight formation. But I never used any rolling stock longer than 40'. If the Superliner cars are longer maybe that would account for it. Those three curves are made with 11", 9.75" and 8.5" radii, which are in 1.25" increments. Was your layout using Unitrak or was the radius different? BTW, Primavw mentioned his trains being prone to derailments with 9.75" curves. That was never my experience, but I used only shorter locos and 40' max cars. Derailments were just never an issue. My current track has two long mains (apprx 6') which use the 11" and 9.75" curves. I'm using a longer loco on the 11" curves (Dash 8-40BW) and it's doing fine (haven't tried it on the other). It's still 4 axles, but is much longer than a GP-35. Regards, Clayton
My 2' x 4' Here's my 2 x 4' layout: Kato Unitrack on 1" foam base (and my daughtrer's Crayola background). And here's a look down Main Street: I went to "The Mad Trackplanner" website and took pieces from the ones I liked and combined them to my version. I also used Mike's idea of adding a 3/4" border around the edges that not only stiffens the base board but adds 1-1/2" to the length and width, effectively making it a 25-1/2" x 49-1/2" layout... ...but who's counting?
The Superliners are twice the length of your 40'. Using Peco c50; the radii were 11"& 9.75". Think I could handle the dbl-main if I allowed a little separation between the starting points thereby giving more separation through the curve. But, didn't. One track roundy-roundy corners. You have a great plan.
Here's my first attempt at a track plan. Don't know why it's turn 90 deg. but here it is. Thanks to all for their input and to "hetek" for the link to his layout. Your comments on the layout are encouraged. Click on this to see the labels, not the thumbnail below.
Found my trackplan... Here's a .pdf of my original plan - View attachment 2x4-14-2-final-as-built-layout.pdf You can see it changed somewhat by the photo I posted. Page two of the file is the material list. You'll see a track section called "TOT", which means "turnout trim" piece. Kato includes these pieces of straights with trimmed roadbed with the #4 turnout package. Your plan looks great except I would add some way to get from the inner loop to the outer loop - unless you want it that way for a reason. A double crossover maybe?
Looks good except for the extensive switch-backing which can get tedious. I personally would: Go with the outer loop Remove the "upper" side of the inner loop, (no longer a loop) Keep the run-a-round on the left Rearrange the first switch back so it isn't one
Really nice job in such a small area. I'm sure your daughter got a real boost by doing the background. Regards, Clayton
Thanks Sejay. She really wanted to help out so I printed a "coloring book" type of mountain range I found on the web, printed it out and let her go to town on it. Newnscaler - I think Grey One is referring to yours, since my plan doesn't have switchbacks. I have basically all trailing point spurs. No particular reason (I didn't purposely avoid switchbacks). Come to think of it, your design reminds me of a mini "Carolina Central" - switchbacks and all. I would check for car length on sidings, etc. That's where my mini yard fell short.
Here is my 30"x48" N-scale layout. It's a twice-around layout. You may recognize the track plan as being inspired by John Allen's original Gore & Daphetid. - Jeff
Here is what I had in mind: I see this as a interchange with a larger road. This is based on minimal change of the original. The goal being to maintain the scenery / track ratio and character of the design. You could build more of a yard and do something with the "ends" of the short line. You may want to swap the positions of the cross overs or even eliminate one.
