Width for HO shelf layout
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Actually I plan on a loop at both ends so I can run contiuous. Sort of a dog bone type of shelf layout I guess. So I guess it will have to be wider at both ends and 2' for the long run. I'm going to put a round house and turntable in there too but will have to be an addition.
I would love to see your pix 68 Camaro.
For the 180 degr curves, I just angled a piece of 1 x 4" into the corner making it easier to make the curve.
Larry
I plan on doing the same thing. I know I will have to have an extension off the side of the main layout on both ends that will accomodate a 22" radius curve. Kind of a dog bone arrangement.
IF its an 18" radius cant I place that on say 37" wide board? I know the track will be close to the edge but space is limited. Atlas makes a 15" radius track, cant GPs run on that?
That's a beautiful layout. How wide is it?
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68 Camaro
Member
Sinebar,
Your shelf layout dimensions are very simular to mine. I used 24 inches as my layout depth. I will attach some photos this evening. I am using about 50 inches of height for the base. To that add an additional 2" for foamboard. If you get a chance check out Lance Mindheims "Voodoo & Palmettos" shelf layout. Lance is only using about 12 to 14 inches of total width.
www.lancemindheim.com
Your shelf layout dimensions are very simular to mine. I used 24 inches as my layout depth. I will attach some photos this evening. I am using about 50 inches of height for the base. To that add an additional 2" for foamboard. If you get a chance check out Lance Mindheims "Voodoo & Palmettos" shelf layout. Lance is only using about 12 to 14 inches of total width.
www.lancemindheim.com
Actually I plan on a loop at both ends so I can run contiuous. Sort of a dog bone type of shelf layout I guess. So I guess it will have to be wider at both ends and 2' for the long run. I'm going to put a round house and turntable in there too but will have to be an addition.
I would love to see your pix 68 Camaro.
68 Camaro
Member
For the 180 degr curves, I just angled a piece of 1 x 4" into the corner making it easier to make the curve.
Larry
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
It's a work and reach issue. The deeper it is the more work it is to build. Figure between $50-100 per sq ft and 50 hours sq ft.
Maximum reach should not exceed 30" no matter how far you think you can reach. That includes the places where you turn your trains.
On a shelf layout think in terms of one pass of the track through the scene. Loop the ends, not the whole layout. The train doesn't travel any more or less distance, and you will have more operational potential, more room to create scenes, and more realism.
Maximum reach should not exceed 30" no matter how far you think you can reach. That includes the places where you turn your trains.
On a shelf layout think in terms of one pass of the track through the scene. Loop the ends, not the whole layout. The train doesn't travel any more or less distance, and you will have more operational potential, more room to create scenes, and more realism.
68 Camaro
Member
I think when you construct a shelf layout, you are concerned in modeling the railroad and it's right of way. What is seen and detailed in the foreground is more important, because this is what is seen up close on any layout. Whats happening in the background may not be that crucial to what you are trying to model and consequently overlooked by the casual observer.
I plan on doing the same thing. I know I will have to have an extension off the side of the main layout on both ends that will accomodate a 22" radius curve. Kind of a dog bone arrangement.
You'll need to have end sections that are 4' wide to accommodate a 22" curve. You could go down to about 42" wide at the absolute minimum but that will only allow 18" radius curves, which will limit you to small diesels like switchers and earlier Geeps and freights cars no longer than 50' long.
meanjean
Member
IF its an 18" radius cant I place that on say 37" wide board? I know the track will be close to the edge but space is limited. Atlas makes a 15" radius track, cant GPs run on that?
68 Camaro
Member
The track plan is basically the same as Lance Mindheims "Voodoo & Palmetto layout. However, I have added a run around track. It will be a Miami based layout since I'm fascinated with the Florida and CSX. It will contain most of the warehousing that Lance models and include a open sided engine house that would probably be typical of the SouthWest but I will use it with this shelf layout. It will also have the canal that is between the two long sections of track that are shown in the preceding photos.
www.lancemindheim.com
www.lancemindheim.com
I did something wrong with the photo. Here is an additional picture.
That's a beautiful layout. How wide is it?
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