My layout is a 9 1/2 foot by 5 foot folded dogbone, in N scale. Since I can't post from Geocities (booooooo), go here and click on the link to my Paris & Mt. Pleasant RR. I'm considering redoing some of the industrial trackage, as well as adding a bridge, so I'll be updating the diagram as I go.
My planned layout (once the house is finally built this year) will be in a 13X10' room, right next to a bathroom and game room that will serve as a crew break room. It will be an HO scale around-the-walls layout, loop to loop, with the loops stacked. There will be an around-the-backdrop fiddle yard with three staging tracks along the 13 foot side, and trains will emerge from the mountains thru the backdrop, travel downgrade thru a couple of small towns with stations, then thru a loop under the mountain, heading toward the coast. It will be based on the N&W circa 1952, and will be all steam with coal drags and passenger trains over the Blue Ridge. There will be a peninsula, but I haven't decided how or what to do with it.
My HO layout is 42' x 26', 5 levels with helix, 950' of track and 120 machined turnouts. Just finishing the track debug phase. The era is 1930-1950 steam and have 6 DCC engines plus about 50 rolling stock cars as well as about 20 structures. One section is a logging camp (motivated by Paul's fantastic work). Unable to display the track plan but would love to learn how Paul and Helge did their artwork. Take care, Jim
My layout is a huge 2'x4'! But do not worry, I have started a 10"x2' extension, so it is getting really big now! But believe me, as small as it sounds, there is enough to keep me busy for now. Russ
Hi Bob, The operational limits are in the control system. I'm using MRC 2000's DCC controller which limits 6 loco sets. This is fine for home use. The layout has 15 reversing loops with each of the five levels operating independently or interact via the helix or the connecting ramps. I have two control panels (turnouts and polarity). Take care, Jim
<font color="336633">Ermmm well mine is 8' x 2'.... thats when i ever get it finished, so far its just bare baseboards </font>
My HO scale Escanaba and Copper Range is a 12.5 x 16 and is around the walls with a 4x10 peninsula and a future expansion using a helix to gain height to the logging operations near the snow line. What FUN!!!!
I have an L shaped space which was to be a study. I never know whether to say I have a 13 1/2 by 7 foot layout, or I have a 13 1/2 foot by 9 1/2 foot layout. The L happens exactly half way down the long wall (13 1/2 ft). The layout is a walk in plan, double decked, however I am using underneath the layout for staging. I forget who here was looking for more staging space, but underneath a layout is a terrific area. I intend to have a loop underneath that is only about 8 inches wide. The staging will be at the front of the layout edge where I can see and access the cars. At one end will be a reversing loop so I can turn the trains without having to work at it.
N scale 9' x 5' built with future expansion in mind. has coal mine/facility, large engine terminal, town, and lots of rough trackage. Free-lanced Appalachian & Atlantic through North central West Virginia.
I guess I'm the odd ball here. I have two layouts, both HO. Out in my model shop I have one with four separate main lines. two are elevated, that were to have eventually run up into some mountains, and the other two are double tracked. It is generally six and a half feet wide and eleven feet long. I got tired of the really big layouts, and over time even this one grew too big for what I finally decided I would most enjoy. It has a roundhouse, yard, dock, and two reversing loops, and diesel engine servicing tracks. The town is fully lighted, as is the roundhouse so the layout can be operated at night without any room lights. All switches are signalled red and green. The control panel has separate controls for each main line, to run each of four trains separately, or the whole layout may be controlled by one person. It has pulse control for switching operations, and trains may be operated on four selenium rectified circuits complete with coasting and brakes. This one I experimented extensively with KayDee couplers, which made me go back to the Mantua brass couplers for ease of remote switching and reliability. Looks are mo longer that inportant to me. I operate this layout mostly for testing new engines, and recreation. Here are a couple of photos of it: I am presently building a new layout even smaller, in my old office, that will be centered around my main interest. It has a 33 stall roundhouse with 134 foot turntable. It is nestled down in a canyon, and all tracks climb the canyon walls. Here are some photos of it in progress:
This shows the N-Scale Saucier & Southern Railway Co. in its entirety. The right-hand side in 15' long, the left-hand side is 11', and the back is 7' across. The S&S Rwy serves the lumber products industry in south Mississippi. Raw logs and pulpwood arrive on the Lumberton, MS branch shown under the bridge on the right side, and are distributed to the paper plant on the left side or the sawmill soon to built in the near right side. Finished products are then transferred to the off-layout Port of Gulfport, MS through the tunnel behind the engine terminal in the upper left. There is an interchange with the Beebe River Railroad (my Brother's layout in NH) in the upper right. It works for me. [ 21 April 2002, 19:35: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
Mine is DUPLO® scale, and takes up much of my living space, see photos at http://community.webtv.net/Ferroequus/FerroequusDUPLO
My layout is L shaped right now. one leg is 5'by 8' the other is 2' by 8'. I have the room to build a 25' by 25' layout. I'm getting there one piece at a time!!!!
I am still in the planning stages Need to paint wall brackets and get lumber cut to fit but I have all the track, cork etc. My layout will be six inches wide but about 40 feet long in Ho Scale. Shelf style around the room. Already have wallpaper border that looks like a village for a backdrop. Need structures may have to cut models in half so they fit on the board HEHE! Hope this counts. [ 23 April 2002, 12:26: Message edited by: EJM3 ]
Paul T, please take a look you too ! Hi Jim, Sorry it took so long time before I noticed your question. I believe that Paul used some graphic program, but I´m not sure. I have used paper and pencil to draw the trackplan in scale 1:10. Then I minimized it in a copying machine, and scanned each drawing to JPG images. The trackplan I show up here is merged of all drawings, but it is only a dimension sketch to show the location in the basement. More detailed plans you can find on my site at the menu pages "Layout", and "How To 5" -------- Helge SR&WF NARA member #5
Hi gang, Some great looking layouts you all have, to answer some questions. HelgeK & jimnrose, My trackplan was drawn in a program called Freehand9, it's a professional drawing package but ideal for this kind of work. I also use it for all my signs for the layout. ===== Johnny Trains Yes, MERIT stuff is still around at various model shops, but Model Power now do the same range. Paul
Mine's in the tracklaying phase; 9'6"x17'6". Backdated to Burlington Northern, N scale, *modular* W-I-D-E curves with easements, hidden staging, branchline interchange capability, and intermodal ops with emphasis on grain trains. This just in: my wife bought a roundhouse for the layout, altho there is no place devoted to it in the plan, it will become an old GN mothballed roundhouse, falling into disrepair.
Thanks Paul. I didn't know Merit was still around! That was great quality stuff. I treasure all my little pieces.
Right now, I'm a N-Traker. So my layout can be as small as 2x4 ft. or as large as you want. I will build a home layout someday but the size is yet to be determined. It will be based on the ATSF's Chilli-Division through Illinois and into Iowa, early 70's to early 80's. This way I can have some GM&O, Rock Island and BN interchange. Of course, it will be in N-Scale!
