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First, awesome forum been reading for months but finally registered. I have been on a 20 year hiatus after conducting from 8-16 yrs old when cars, girls and life happened! LOL Now my son is 8yrs old, Ive been allocated space and my wife is actually encouraging construction to begin. The biggest difference now is the internet! Before grandpas Model RR books and trying it for myself was all I had and ended up with some pretty elaborate layouts. Now Im experiencing information overload! My previous layouts were all table style 8x12 being the biggest and I learned then 36" was as long a reach I would ever have again. Now I have an area 9'6"x9'6" in the corner of a much larger room so 2 sides have walls. Im leaning towards a 9'6"x9'6" table with a 3'x3' cut out (duck under) so that 2 sides are 30" deep (wall sides) and the 2 sides accessible from either side being 48". Looking for thoughts, input, advice?
Next, Ive been using the SCARM programing trying to design a layout and struggling to put anything together. I think Im personally better off working with a premade design that I could alter but something to start with if that makes sense. Any advice on resources to use for layout options on my specific scenario? Seems every book or online resource I find is for a 4x8 table, walk in or enormous! Im not opposed to walk in but to maximize my space and stay HO it doesnt seem to be in my best interest for continous operation and point to point set up. Im willing to purchase the plan/book just to much to choose from. Honestly I question if there are consultants out there you could provide your scenario and receive specific recommendations? Kinda like a custom design?
These are the priority questions for now.... Thanks in advance!
My thought here: Maybe I am (we are) having a hard time responding to you because we don't know what your question is. If I can say this nicely, you're "all over the map." If so I do understand that. So, you may need some more time to consider what YOU want, narrow it down and describe it, and go from there.
My Three cents: (used to be TWO, but with inflation... you know...)
Sounds like you have a great space to work with. As for finding a "Ready-Made" track plan, I would say you're going to have a hard time. HOWEVER: Take a look at some of the 4x8 plans out there and find one you like and could expand on. For me, anyway, designing the layout is part of the fun of MRR. HO is a good choice for size, but you CAN put more trains/Track/Scenery in the same space if you went with N Scale. Just saying. I'm an HO guy myself running on a modified and expanded 4x8 design.
Lastly, I would say to avoid the "Duck Under" if you can. I'm in my mid 30's and have a duck under for areas of my layout that I cannot reach. It's annoying to have to Duck Under to get there. I can't imagine if I had to do it every time just to get to work (play) on (with) my trains. However, I hear you on the space and not wanting to limit your design, so perhaps you could consider a removable bridge that would span your entry way into the room. Saves you from the duck under all the time AND makes continued operation easier in a "Smaller" space. I think someone here build one. I'll see if I can find it and post a link.
Thanks for the reply's and I agree I'm all over the board! Im also concerned with a duck under (not getting any younger!)but have not had a better idea yet and the area where the duckunder/lift out or bridge would be is 30-48" deep so doesnt seem feasable. HO is all I have experience with so Im pretty partial but starting from scratch so I cant say N is totally out . Also Im involved in the Ag Industry (Deere) and plan to have a very agricultural related theme, I have not seen as much Ag related N scale material as I have HO. Im attending a large train show in the Chicago area this weekend that I expect to be able to find resources and get a better perspective. I live in a rural area without a local hobby shop or even a book store and reluctant to purchase books on line without knowing if the content is applicable. Thanks Again!
Atlas has some layout designs that might fit in your space, with or without any modificaitons. Their trackplans use only their track components, but can be the starting point of something. If you google '4x8 or 5x9 HO Trackplans,' you might get some more ideas, without buying any books. You could always scale one of these plans up by adding sections of straight or curved track, to make a design fit your space.
You could even let him work with it on the floor. My grandsons have as much if not more fun configuring the track and buildings as they do running trains. I bought Lionel Fastrack for my boys. They are always changing things, it keeps them interested. My boys are 5 and 6 years old.
Once he gets hooked on trains he may want to go with more realistic things. I would consider the cost of the set and track pack as an investment in developing his love of trains. In Europe many hi-end modelers use sectional track with road bed, he may stay with it. Who knows what kind of modeler he will be in the end, just get him started and let the journey begin.
No matter what you decide I am very happy to hear you are introducing your boy to trains. Well done Dad!!!
Keep us posted, thanks for sharing your hobby with us!.
If you want to start with a ready design in SCARM and then alter it to your needs in the program, check SCARM Layouts & Track Plans pages and search by scale, size, traffic and other parameters in the database. Almost all plans are coming with ready to download SCARM project files, so you will be able to open them, review and edit on your PC.
Layout designer Byron Henderson has some terrific ideas on his web site. He points out that in the same space as a 4x8 layout, you can often fit a much more interesting around-the-walls track plan. Here is one example from Byron's site:
A folded 8 similar to this is what countless hours of research keeps coming back to. The pic below is what more than 2 hours spent in SCARM has developed.. Embrassing really! http://
Any veterans willing to take a stab at creating the base folded 8 for me? Overwhelmed to say the least and if I just had something to start with would be a huge relief. I can email my benchwork file it is accurate dimensionally (9.5'x9.5' with 3'x3' possibly 3.5'x3.5' cut-out) the Left and lower sides will be accessible from both sides. Top and right against walls.. Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Im trying to confirm my benchwork dimensions and establish a ballpark track requirement. Ive decided definately DCC and HO. Leaning towards Atlas/Peco code 83 track from other research. Thanks in advance...
