Need Help with a 9' x 10' Layout...

Kisatchie Jan 23, 2022

  1. Kisatchie

    Kisatchie TrainBoard Member

    1,031
    1,322
    44
    I'm having a tough time trying to decide if I should have a flat terrain layout, or one with elevated track. I really don't want to deal with stacking foam layers up in order to have higher track and needing Woodland Scenics inclines to raise the track.

    I'd like to have a point to point layout (but I could tolerate a long loop of track running around the walls.) in a 9x10' spare bedroom with 2-1/2' shelves all around, but that might look funny to have tracks supposedly miles away being very close to each other on a flat layout. With a multi-level layout, at least that would give the illusion of distance.

    I'm so confused :confused: about if I'll be capable of handling unexpected problems as they arise (I'm 71), I don't even know if I should even try making a multi-level layout.

    Maybe if some of you could post layout plans/photos for approx. a 9x10' room, I could get some ideas.:)

    Thanks for all comments.
     
  2. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,040
    93
    My bedroom is 13'x10'x10'. The rest of the walls are a door and a closet. There is room for 3' squares at the ends. I live in a rather flat area but would still like some slight rises and forest.
     
  3. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,676
    44,848
    142
    Just a suggestion @Kisatchie, but you might want to create a thread for your layout. That'd place all of your thoughts, questions and answers in one place for people to follow. @in2tech led me to do this recently. It's worked out well, making things easier for me and others too I think.

    This is kind of an awkward question to ask, but have you built layouts previously? If not, I'm thinking you might be best served by first building a portion of your 9 FT x 10 FT layout to develop your skills. Maybe work up a modest track plan that would allow you to run trains in the interim and later merge your work into your larger plan. That way you'll have knowledge of your abilities and be able to move forward with better confidence.

    Both are just suggestions, not big things either way. The main goal is to enjoy this fantastic hobby. :)(y)
     
  4. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

    8,903
    3,622
    137
    I did it by putting different railroads on different levels. That way I did not have to deal with transitions from one height to the other.
    That way I could still get Bridges and rivers and mountains
     
    Hardcoaler and Sumner like this.
  5. Kisatchie

    Kisatchie TrainBoard Member

    1,031
    1,322
    44
    It might be a little premature to do that. I have a lot of 40 year old Nikon cameras and lenses I'm gradually selling. Once they're mostly gone, I'll start planning/working on the layout in earnest.

    No previous permanent layouts... just temporary ones set up on the floor. I'm going to have a carpenter build my benchwork when the time comes, but I'm really dreading doing the electrical work myself. Maybe a local contractor can recommend a good electrician/model railroader :LOL:.
     
    Hardcoaler and in2tech like this.
  6. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,040
    93
    My suggestion was more of a second dream. I could use that room with 4x4 turn around ends for my HO stock. But as 'Hardcoaler' states it would be better to start with a smaller 3x6 in the middle and let the storage shelves in place for now. I really wish to move out of this area.
    Keep dreaming and moving forward. (I'm 72)
     
  7. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

    8,903
    3,622
    137
    Regarding Starting Small with option to grow:
    It really helped me when I was overwhelmed by my 2'x32 foot layout with 3 lines down to a 2'x8' area during Christmas with only one line.

    With Christmas out of the way I'll keep myself working in smaller areas.
     
    Hardcoaler, Shortround and Sumner like this.
  8. Adam Senior

    Adam Senior TrainBoard Member

    38
    91
    2
    One thing that I did — was to build my layout up on several layers of insulation foam. I figured out the starting point for my layout. To which, when you want to, you can cut down into the board to create some topography without having to mess around with all of the risers.
    [​IMG]

    Just some food for thought.

    Here it is currently with rocks and grass and stuff.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

    2,798
    5,837
    63
    One thing to keep in mind is how are your turnouts going to be controlled now and later. I'm using servos and my 'Gravity Switcher' and 'Hidden Switcher'. The 'Hidden Switch' operates....

    [​IMG]
    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-18.html

    ... at the surface of layout so the thickness of the foam if you are using it is of no concern. This would also be the case if you are using a commercial turnout with the switch machine next to/part of the turnout.

    The servo control and 'Gravity Switcher' are under the layout and throw the turnout with a wire up to the points throwbar.

    [​IMG]
    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Trackwork/page-8.html

    With this method of throwing the turnout I fell confident using it with 1/2" plywood and 1" foam on top of it as shown above.



    It might work up to a total thickness of 2 1/2" but haven't tried that. I feel that if the foam is very deep and you want to mount the controller using a Tortoise machine or a servo like I'm using or something like my 'Gravity Switcher' you are going to need to bury the control in the foam which is harder and then harder to get to if needed once you have scenery over the buried switch machine.

    Sumner
     
    gmorider likes this.
  10. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,676
    44,848
    142
    I did the same with my father's Nikon gear (from the late '60s and '70s) about ten years ago. Unless something's changed, Nikon's classic F-Mount lenses still fit their DSLRs, and being "full frame" ("FX" in the Nikon DSLR world) and they bring good money. Old 35mm bodies vary, with F Bodies likely still in demand at premium prices.

    I kept a few of his lenses, as they mount on my "DX" DSLR just fine, although because of my smaller sensor, I'm not using all of the lenses' frame and of course, there's no auto-focus or auto-recognition of aperture. They're fun to mess around with.

    I took this shot with my Nikon DSLR and one of his old lenses. In retrospect, I wish I'd have kept more of his lenses than I did. :(

    2017-12-24 005 Flat Rock NC - for upload.jpg
     
  11. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,040
    93
    There's also the use of control knobs on the face board. There is a metal rod going in to the switch so you don't have to reach over the layout to make the switch change. Some what the same as the device shown by Sumner.
     
    Doug Gosha likes this.
  12. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,040
    93
    Wish I would have kept my Nikon SLR and lenses as well. The Digital that replaced it doesn't work as well. And to get the prints from SLR or DSLR into the confussor doesn't work.
     
    Doug Gosha, gmorider and Hardcoaler like this.
  13. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,676
    44,848
    142
    An SLR means film and that gets very expensive these days. I'm happy with my ten-year-old Nikon D5100, my first DSLR. All of the pictures I've taken in the last decade and posted on TrainBoard were taken with it. It's getting tired (flash no longer works, though I use it rarely). I sometimes think about upgrading to a D7500 along with a better zoom lens. I'd keep my 18-55mm, very pleased with it.
     
    BNSF FAN, Doug Gosha and gmorider like this.
  14. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

    8,903
    3,622
    137
    If posting to Trainboard remember to set photo size to less than 2000pixles
    or
    Get 'Irfanview' and resize, (which is what I do).

    Meanwhile think about small 'scenery vignettes' and how you would like to make them. You can 'practice' making small hills and structures.
     
  15. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,040
    93
    I have used 'Irfanview' in the past and would use it now. It doesn't download and I don't know how to restrict to 2000pixles without.
     
  16. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

    10,676
    44,848
    142
    Rather than think about pixels, I simply reduce the photo's file size to somewhere around 500KB and upload it.
     
    BNSF FAN likes this.
  17. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

    4,333
    5,040
    93
    I have done that as well. The pictures stored on my hard drive sometimes give a choice of a thumbnail. And some include both. But rarely give a choice.o_O
    Off the internet rarely gives a choice.
     
  18. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

    2,798
    5,837
    63
    I use Irfanview a lot to view images but use paint.net to edit and resize them. It will resize them to a different viewing size and when you save it you have a choice of the actual file side for the image as well. Images don't need to be that large in storage size (KB) to view them on the internet. Most all of the pictures I post have been change to an 80 dpi resolution and most are under 100KB in actual size. I host all my pictures on my website that I post and they charge me (and here also probably) by the space I need on their server so I don't want to have large file sizes,

    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2022
  19. Kisatchie

    Kisatchie TrainBoard Member

    1,031
    1,322
    44
    Sigh..... I thought I was going to wire my pending layout for DCC, but after figuring out how much it would cost to put decoders in all my locos, not to mention the cost for an NCE Power Cab as well as any future DCC locos I might decide to buy, I'm going to stick with DC. Since I'll be the only one running trains on the layout, I was going to have only one BIG block. No sense wiring up numerous blocks with only one train running at a time. Besides, my Kato Unitrack turnouts keep sidings non-powered when they're set for mainline running.

    Or am I missing something obvious?

    Hmm... keep my big mouth
    shut, keep my big mouth
    shut, keep my big mouth
    shut...
    [​IMG]
     
    Shortround and Grey One like this.
  20. in2tech

    in2tech TrainBoard Member

    2,703
    7,639
    78
    Your layout and money, it's your decision. What makes you happy and enjoy is the hobby is the most important thing. Good luck, can't wait to see what your layout looks like. Have fun!
     
    Grey One likes this.

Share This Page