Before I resign to boxing it up for a xmas tree only layout......suggestions?

[flightops]

I'm back and forth right now between boxing up the ho layout or finding a spot for "permanent" layout.

I can free up a space of about 4x8', which seems to quite severely limit my options. No basement (slab foundation) So it would be one of our 2nd floor storage rooms. We had attic trusses put in and there is two rooms upstairs over the garage/master bedroom. Big space at the front is my hobby room and the back space is just storage. The hobby room space is pretty much all already spoken for, so it's the supply room or nothing.

This is what it looked like before insulating, floors, drywall etc:

This is the back storage room that I can likely carve a 4x8 space out against one of the knee walls:

The track I've got to work with:

That's all of it and that's right about a 4x8' layout. A little less actually.

Pretty simple. Am I just not being creative enough with what I've got? Seems like the track only wants to go into a layout in a couple ways, all pretty standard looking. The track has to "loop", I'm not interested in shunting cars around without letting the train just run.

I wouldn't be object to buying a couple more track pieces if it would mean more layout options.

I know it's a pretty big ask from just a picture, but any ideas?

 

[AuburnCentral]

I did this on a 4x8 but you could do less sidings to add some switching

 

[flightops]

Ran across this layout on a "model train" video:

Not too bad. Bit of a rail-yard to mess with. A little more than a simple oval. A bit of area for some scenery. Looks like I have most of the track already. I'd need two more turn outs and a few other details, like end of line type pieces. Maybe a few more straight pieces.

Pretty sure that's a 4x8 layout as well.

I'm also looking at it and think it might be possible to change it up a little bit and have a spot for a container terminal shore line area. I'm in a coastal area with container terminals, so that would be more "familiar ground" for me.

A local terminal that would lend it's format to that layout with a little bit of modification to both (IE: size and fit).

 

[bnsf971]

If you have that many square feet for a layout, you can do more of a around the walls layout in the same square footage, leaving the center of the room open for other things.

 

[Gary B]

Reaching 4 feet in combined with the angle of the roof, I see a lot of potential for head bumping.

 

[troyphoto]

If your goal is to do railfanning, you can do some in 4x8

But, if you're more about the build, and using the train layout for some switching, then a shelf layout around the area, with hobby work areas underneath might be feasible. I'm looking at a shelf system for the expansion into my hobby (tabletop miniature gaming) area.

 

[flightops]

Reaching 4 feet in combined with the angle of the roof, I see a lot of potential for head bumping.

yep, been there, done that. I stay well clear of the edges of the room.

I despise canted ceilings.

But this was space that was going to be empty attic space (with traditional trusses), so we changed it up to attic trusses when we were building/designing the house to at least make the space somewhat usable.

 

[Rico]

If the stairs are in the middle then a simple shelf going around the room would be great!
There are some pretty great 4X8 layouts out there.

 

[flightops]

If the stairs are in the middle then a simple shelf going around the room would be great!
There are some pretty great 4X8 layouts out there.

Two separate rooms with a stairwell/landing in between.

Shelf layout is not an option in either room or the stairwell.

 

[flightops]

If your goal is to do railfanning, you can do some in 4x8

But, if you're more about the build, and using the train layout for some switching, then a shelf layout around the area, with hobby work areas underneath might be feasible. I'm looking at a shelf system for the expansion into my hobby (tabletop miniature gaming) area.

Shelf layout not an option, especially in the front room where one wall is already a slot car drag strip:

The rest of the room is pretty full also:

The back room is storage, where I can probably carve out a 4x8 space. So thats all I’ve really for to work with for a train layout…

 

[troyphoto]

I've got too many hobbies. TT Gaming is taking too much time, when I want to work on the MRR.

Only you know your limits on hobbying.

I'm slowing down on my gaming, and moving MRR to the front burner. You may have to decide between hobbies.

Perhaps look at diorama building with trains, rather than a full layout? Get into a train club doing T-track or N-track modules. Build one, and add it to their events?

 

[bnsf971]

Shelf layout not an option, especially in the front room where one wall is already a slot car drag strip:

View attachment 217251

The rest of the room is pretty full also:

View attachment 217252

The back room is storage, where I can probably carve out a 4x8 space. So thats all I’ve really for to work with for a train layout…

Years ago, Model Railroader built this layout, called Turtle Creek Central, and it looked and worked very well, especially for its 4x8 size:

 

[flightops]

Years ago, Model Railroader built this layout, called Turtle Creek Central, and it looked and worked very well, especially for its 4x8 size:
View attachment 217259

That’s a lot going on in a 4x8 format, yet still doesn’t look overly “crammed”. I’ll save that pic for sure!

Cheers.

 

[Old 97]

Flightop, I shall pray for you during this time of crisis.
Thanks for sharing the pics. You're living the good life.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

If you don't mind getting a little more track, then you can build some pretty nifty 4x8 layouts.
It is the common size for beginners, so over the years in Model railroad magazines there has been many articles on how to get the best out of this space. When I get the chance I can try and scan some of what I have, but you might want to look online.
But I would maybe recommend getting a little more track.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

Here's two photos I found online. They look nice.

 

[TheXModelRailroader]

And this website might help.
https://modelrailwaylayoutsplans.com/4x8-ho-track-plans/