How Much Space to Plan Around Layout?

[NFexec]

Greetings,

This is a really basic question: I am doing a rather slow, purposeful planning of a modest sized O gauge model railroad. It consists mainly of a steam locomotive, rail cars, and a handful of accessories that came from my wife's father - from right around WWII. It will be augmented by newer items, new track, power source, and possibly a complete second O gauge train. It's being created mainly for my grandson who loves any kind of vehicles: cars, buses, trains, - you name it. (I had a pretty good sized HO setup when I was a kid - and never forgot the fun we had with it).

OK - so, I've seen many YouTube and other related online videos of all sorts of model railroads, read through a number of Model Railroader journals, searched this forum, etc. You get the idea. I have seen a LOT of setups where at least one long edge of the train table is right up against a wall. Some have two edges up against a wall. I thought it was proper and sensible to leave space around the entire table in order to fix any accessory or track, or even rescue a derailment if necessary. Putting the edge that close to a wall would make that very difficult if not impossible.

So - long way around the barn -should I plan on leaving enough of an isle around the table in order to get to things, or is there a way to avoid this? Having my setup pushed up against the walls like this would really help me save space in the room. Or, do I leave space? Can I leave space, run the trains and operate any accessories beforehand, then make sure all is working and aligned properly, and THEN gently push the table against the walls?

Thanks for your patience with this really basic model railroading 101 question!

Doug

 

[wright2626]

do you have a whole room, or just part of a room? some do their layout where it is on a shelf against the walls of the room, and the shelf is 6 to 30 inches from the wall, and the middle of the room is open.

 

[Bruette]

Hey Doug!

Welcome to the forums, glad to have you onboard.

My grandsons enjoy trains, truck and cars too, but I built my railroad for me! I of course keep them in mind every step of the way. Mine are 5 and 6, how old is yours? I find their interest is like the tides, it comes and goes, but my interest seems to only grow.

Don't worry, you found the nicest, most knowledgeable group of railroaders anywhere. The only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

Great question!

My layout is 7 wide and even I can't reach the back up against the wall and I am 6'6. At first I left 12" between the wall and the layout, just enough for me to get in. Long legs kept my belly above the layout. Then I expanded right up to the wall.

My solution was to build my bench work to support my weight for cleaning track mostly but for any reason. In my experience Lionel O gauge does not derail, but track needs to be kept clean on a regular basis. I use hand towels to cushion my knees and it's easy to reach the back. I keep space open for this purpose.

I have seen layouts on wheels, one even had the top mounted on roller bearings. The simplest thing for me was to make my bench work to support my 300lbs.

There is no right or wrong way, be creative, find what works for you. After you get advice and do some research online, in libraries, or through buying books (the forum book store is a great place to find books) Classic toy trains would be a great subscription for you, lots of recourses for subscribers.

It's your railroad, run it anyway you like! I suggest only one rule for your trains, have fun!

One word of caution for your old trains;
Phased fired transformers like the new ZW-L can cause the old locomotives to over heat that were designed for sine wave transformers. I have found that this does not always happen but in some instances it does. Check to be sure they are not over heating if you are using the ZW-L or any other phase fired transformer.

If you have an old transformer have it refurbished before using it to be safe.

If you do have an old one be carful because they can cook the solid sate electronics in the new equipment. Lionel makes equipment to put in between your old transformer and your track to protect the new equipment.

if you have questions about your transformer write to Lionel or any questions about your old or new Lionel [email protected] they are always happy to help. Christmas season is busy for them so they may not be fast, but they always answer. I have never waited more then the next business day even at Christmas time.

Last but not least, come back here often and keep us up to date, share some pictures with us. Don't be a stranger and don't be shy. I am by no means and expert, but the experts have always been good to me and more helpful then you can imagine. Ask questions, participate in any thread you are interested in, stop in the coffee shop to say hello!

Thanks for sharing your hobby with us

 

[gregc]

So - long way around the barn -should I plan on leaving enough of an isle around the table in order to get to things, or is there a way to avoid this? Having my setup pushed up against the walls like this would really help me save space in the room. Or, do I leave space? Can I leave space, run the trains and operate any accessories beforehand, then make sure all is working and aligned properly, and THEN gently push the table against the walls?

have you consider an around the wall layout?

 

[wright2626]

i did a 4x8 in ho once. i got the part against the wall going then pushed against the wall. i would pull it away from the wall when i had to work on it.