bookshelf layout for the space limited individual (aka me)

[diesel]

Okay, my sun porch layout bit the dust... it was boiling/freezing room temperature, evidence of mice on the tracks, and the final straw was when the sunlight hit and warped some of the turnouts. So I'm turning my eye to the shelves on my living space wall. Some "shelf" layouts are way wider than a shelf. I don't have that luxury so I'm restricting myself to 12" maximum. Also I can go no more than 5 feet on one shelf, 8 feet on another. I'm starting on the 5 foot one because it has the most desirable spot, likely to be the most fun during the winter. I've spent a lot of time looking at layouts but most of them greatly exceed the size. So I came up with the following plan:

I should label it but upper left 11.6 track is BNSF connection, adjacent is the CP mainline, and the rest is the SBC yard in Abbotsford.

 

[diesel]

The CP main might connect to staging on the right. All the leads would be extended as far as the layout ends. The portion shown is about 4 feet long so add 6" on each end for the 5 foot version. I tried to leave enough room on the leads and sidings for actual switching, and (yay!) I managed to squeeze in a runaround.

 

[timlange3]

Do a search for "Gum Stump & Snowshoe" railroad, for HO it would fit in your 12" x 96" shelf space.

 

[diesel]

It's an amazing design but I don't think it can be squeezed into 12" wide in HO. It would make a keen N scale though. My target era is late 1990's and I want to run at least four axle road units like GP's and RS and Dash 8's. I want to have reliable switching using under track magnets and Kadees. That's why it's got switches bunched in the middle, so the leads and sidings have enough straight track to make the uncoupling work. Also, the prototype Abbotsford is built on a river silt plain, it's flatter than a pancake for miles and miles (But with Mt. Baker in the background and surrounded by other mountains!). So I don't need two levels. GS&S depends on incredibly tight turnouts and small cars and locos, I can't use those. For the 8 foot side, I thought about 2 levels, but in my spin, the two levels aren't connected at all. Just a diagonal bridge crossover much like the GS&S. The 8 foot section is where I hope I can stretch out my 6 axle units. The turnouts I have and put in the plan, are near to a #6 as far as I can tell. That is about as sharp as I ever want to go.

Some things I like about Abbotsford:
1. Huge variety of plausible or real motive power. CP and BNSF do in fact converge on the SBC yard. So you can imagine quite a lot of loco types visiting (SBC has some nice funky stuff themselves...).
2. It's flat. As mentioned, makes level track plausible
3. I was on site, even rode a turn with a crew on an SW-7(?) and won't soon forget.
4. It's small in real life. The SBC yard is probably less than a kilometer long.
5. I've always wanted to model British Columbia but lack space for scale mountains.

 

[diesel]

Here it is with labels

So for example, a BNSF transfer might enter, take the switch S2, S5, S6 to SBC R2, uncouple, and set out on the run around between S3 and S6. Then go home. SBC switcher (and maybe cars) comes out from SBC R1, occupies CP south through S1, adds the car and returns with it to SBC R1.

 

[Jaz avalley]

If there is a wide point you may have mostly 12 inches then an extra inch or so to get the points aligned
You can else have a small slide in slide out option that stores away allowing you a bit of 3D to hold a building or a touch of scenic
The extra need only be a few inches
Or a hinges drop down that once up 90 degrees has a wood piece or 2 slip in as support
That could give you a little more without technically taking up any more room except while running it
The stuff that took weather damage might then be scenic?

 

[diesel]

Latest SCARM update crashes on 3d view so I can't show you that. But I filled in some details and drew the (semi) final outlines. I found, I don't need 12 inches, in fact I'm getting away with 60x10 inches here:

Those are shop buildings on the left. The gray block is a highway overpass, support columns between the 3 tracks. It's prototypical, there is in fact a highway overpass just outside the yard entrance. But it also hides the track ends nicely. I made the run around longer so you can spot cars there. Previously you could run the loco around, but no room for anything much to couple to. It stole some length from the leads, but it's still workable.

Yes, I may salvage the damaged turnouts. I can repeat what I did with one already, weld the points and have it just for looks. That way, could even add a rip track or something like that and just park stuff on it.

The hinge idea, yes, I could do that. However, I've found the main limitation is length not width (once the premise of bookshelf dimensions is fully absorbed). There is a wall to the left though, on the right, the back track mainline should take advantage of easy wall mounted staging there. So I can't add anything there.

Been thinking about cutting wood - given the small size I may just make a 3/4" plywood board with support strips front and back for rigidity and to clear some space underneath for wiring. Then a lightweight backboard. I figure, a lighting valance can just be part of a separate upper shelf above, not attached. With endplates, it should be quite rigid.

Another thing I forgot. I need to find places to hide 6 turnout motors.

 

[Jaz avalley]

These are a couple of ideas from shows - not my work - that might offer you sone inspiration, I guess your US and I’m UK but they might translate
Because there are basically at 90 degrees they or other similar ideas may add an extra dimension. the low relief ends of buildings are very popular in the UK for smaller layouts

 

[diesel]

Those are awesome. I'm Canadian and model Chinese and Canadian trains, mostly. Wow, that combination of detail and great painting really makes pleasant scenes! The dimensionality might help with the Chinese shelf under consideration, as it is likely to have two levels. The building ends suggestion is great too, now that is appropriate for Abbotsford beside the yard. I have the overpass, but it's to the side. In real life, it is there now but wasn't when I was there in person years ago. At that time it was a level crossing. Beyond that, there's not really much dimensionality in much, like buildings are basically one floor office or warehouse. So I am just going to go with that and try and convey the atmosphere. Even though, in some way I picked this prototype because it fits the track plan (and not much else I can think of does).

 

[diesel]

So, I finally managed to get a 3d image. I'm going to make a mock up soon, just lay the real switches down and see what that looks like.

Real life things have been distracting lately...