Rectangular bases for HO layouts larger than 4x8


Improvable

New Member
This is mostly directed at HO but I think it might also apply to smaller scales too. Not sure on that.

Assuming I disassemble the O scale layout I currently have running, I'll have an 8x8 square tabletop space to work with. So I check the internet for some track plans that could work in this scale but a lot of them are in unusual configurations like U or L shaped layouts. Even when I watched a video titled "How to build a HO layout" by TM Books and Videos, the layout they used seems to be some kind of cloverleaf design for the base. However this only applies to larger layouts as for smaller floorboards, usually 4x6, 4x8 and rarely 5x10, it's always a rectangular setup. So what's up with that? Is it because it's not a good idea to build HO in a big rectangle or something?
 
At best your reach is only going to be 30"-36", unless you are a really tall person. If you choose to just have scenery in the center and have all track within 32" from the edge, you'll be all right. There are contraptions that cantilever over the layout that would allow you to reach the center. One in particular is from Micro Mark
Topside Creeper.
I don't know how you are accessing the center at present, you may already have this covered.
 
The classic 8 x 4 doesn't allow for much in the way of radius in HO, not more than 22" and even that is really too close to the edge of that width board. The 8' length then only allows less than the 48" left between the ends of the 2 semi circles of straight track either side, but you can reach the center from each side easily.. To do that with a solid 8 x 8, either a step ladder of the type described or an access from beneath, crawl under hole in the middle is necessary.
 
The classic 4x8 is so common because it's a single un-cut piece of plywood.

It's also a "good" width that you can reach to the middle of the table from all sides. As the table gets larger, you can't reach the middle.

If you have lots of room, you can build a "nicer" layout by moving away from a single large rectangular "blob" that you can't reach into the middle. "Around the room" uses the same amount of space but you can stand inside the layout and reach all parts of it, and the trains go all around you.

On the other hand, if what you already have is a rectangular layout, larger than 4x8, you can always expand a 4x8 plan to a larger footprint, or design your own. It's just such a large rectangle is not a common plan, since you can't reach most of it, so you can use the space better.
 
Yes, the larger the surface area of the layout, regardless of the scale, the more difficulty you'll have fixing problems, even reaching them. As you raise the height of a layout to get a more realistic view, whether you sit or stand, the harder it is to keep your elbows from sweeping things askew as you reach into the layout to correct a fault, say to retrieve a derailed item.

Generally, benches deeper than about 30" are at about the limit, and then only if you can bend somewhat easily at the waist to reach in. If, as is the case with most of us who have built at least two layouts, you want something closer to chest height, or at least navel height, reaching to the back invites trouble, or at least having to drag a stool over to step up and to reach better.

So, it's both a height and a depth problem.

If you already have the layout built, maybe it could be converted to HO. You could simply cut out a rectangular area in the middle, building some supporting structures that will keep it all level and firmly stood in place. What you'd have left is that 'around-the-room' concept, even if it doesn't quite fill the room. The only drawback is that you'll have to crawl or stoop to get to the operating pit. This usually means a scraped back or banged head once or fifteen times.
 
I'll have an 8x8 square tabletop space to work with. So I check the internet for some track plans that could work in this scale but a lot of them are in unusual configurations like U or L shaped layouts. Even when I watched a video titled "How to build a HO layout" by TM Books and Videos, the layout they used seems to be some kind of cloverleaf design for the base. However this only applies to larger layouts as for smaller floorboards, usually 4x6, 4x8 and rarely 5x10, it's always a rectangular setup. So what's up with that? Is it because it's not a good idea to build HO in a big rectangle or something?
If I understand the question properly it is a mater curves. When a layout is crammed into a rectangle it spends most of its track turning back into the rectangular space and very little of it running straight. Often the center of a rectangular space is hard to access with the trains and often wasted for track purposes. An around the room layout has a lot more straight and relatively fewer curves. The reason for the U shape is so one doesn't have to bridge the door and duck under the layout to get into the room. Obviously not everyone has the luxury of having a whole room they can use for the trains.

There are soooo many good 4x8 layout plans out there, when I built one for my son I had a really hard time picking one.

I recommend deciding how you want to operate the trains, and then look for layouts that match that. For example do you want to just turn the train on and watch it run through the scenery (we call that a railfan layout), Or do you want to run multiple trains at the same time and have to control how they meet. Or do you want to build and unbuild trains with different cars, Or do you want the trains to operate by picking up and dropping off cars at industries and perhaps a tiny rail yard? OR ... what? If you can give us some idea of what your looking for we can make suggestions.
 



Back
Top