I am new to model railroading,and I want to model Ho scale.I have completed all of the benchwork in my room 12 x14 24 inches wide with a 3x7 ft. peninsula. I want to model modern era equipment,and be able to run autorack unit trains,as well as having a good amount of industrial switching.But,after finishing my benchwork I am concerned that the operations I want to do in Ho scale will not fit into my givin' space(long unit trains).I have considered N scale,but I like the sound you can get into the Ho scale locomotives.Having sound in the Loco is important to me.I really need some expert advice.I've had the benchwork complete almost a yr.,and I have not even touched any track yet.I do not wanna get frustrated and quit the hobby.Please give me some advice!!!!!!
hi Jelvis, i don't envy you; torn between two lovers. No-one will be able to help you; it will be YOUR decision only. The question remains clear: is sound that important it outweighs long unit trains. I am afraid you sound a bit like a spoiled kid; " if i can't get it all i will quit ". In HO you can have a double track main, where not really long unit trains can go merely around and around. With rather limited possibilities for switching, a longish main or staging. The appropriate radius will be between 30" and 36" accompanied by #6 and #8 turnouts. If you like your trains to do more then just running around trainlength might be limited to one engine and about 6 to 8 modern long cars. The following plan is by Byron Henderson, a famous professional layout designer. It fits your space in HO, though not suited to modern long cars nor unit trains. If i remember well the Wildcat & SF was more suited to long trains, i can't find a link to that plan however. (maybe due to not remembering the proper name) In N-scale you might have a way longer main, though i would want narrower shelves along the walls (18"), so I could have a 4 feet wide peninsula; wide enough for a 180 degree turn-back curve with a nice 18" radius. Now your trains can be pulled by two engines with 12+ cars in tow. Have a look at this plan , also by Byron Henderson, that could fit in your space in N-scale. Wish you wisdom in choosing Paul
jelvis - just some thoughts after coming to this hobby 4 years ago (and two layouts): the above advice of "lay down some track and experiment" is probably the best you will get. You will find it extremely rare that you're able to achieve the perfect layout on the first try. Why? Things on paper translate very differently in actual practice. Whatever layout you choose will present numerous revisions once you start running trains and see how they negotiate the actual curves, crossovers, yardwork, etc. Your own focus of interest may very well evolve as well.
Much of the previous advice from the posts above should indeed be taken to heart. In addition, I would point out that I find it uniquely unconventional that you should have already built your benchwork before even considering what your trackplan is to be. A successful layout requires a good idea for the trackplan first, not as an afterthought and the nature, or purpose, the trains are to be put to (multiple switching, roundy-round long hauls of unit trains, etc.) needs to come far ahead of sound as THE deciding factor. The offered idea of laying perhaps temporary track at this point to just see what you might fit to the space and might still find acceptable is probably your only option now, given that your benchwork is already in place. I will venture, however, that any resulting layout built in this manner is unlikelyto prove very satisfactory, but at least will provide experience for designing your next layout. NYW&B
Everything already said stands as good advice. My advice is along a different tack but useful all the same. We all started out with a oval of track and a train and that seemed to be enough. Then we discover model railroading and it has to be perfect! Why not lay a mainline and get some train running. Then you can start adding scenes to that. It seems to me you have a landscape that needs track so get some track down and run some trains. There really is no right way to do this hobby as long as you get to a finished result. I have to agree that HO scale with sound is really something to behold. I did N scale for decades but what got me back into ho was the sound decoders.
I suppose I'm a bit disturbed with the fact that in all that layout room your depth of layout will only be 24 inches. Also the penninsula is quite small width wise. Seems like you would have a turnaround/curve using only 15" radius track, thus eliminating larger diesels and rolling stock. With so little surface I'm wondering if you were going to have scenery? Just some thoughts. Good luck, Jim:tb-biggrin:
Adding more depth to layout vs. peninsula. Jim,thanks for replying.I have actually though about doing away with the peinsula,and making the benchwork 36 inches wide all the way around. Then I can have 1 or 2 return loops at each end of the layout.Being "new" at this I was'nt sure what would give me the most operating space on the layout,the peninsula for a small yard/industry,or adding more depth("36") all the way around. Thanks,Jelvis
Thanks Paul, If I decide to make this an industrial switching layout,shold this be enough space for a decent sized layout for Ho scale? Thanks again for your advice,I really appreciate it. Jelvis
Don't worry about 24 inch wide layout boards restricting the scenery. The ones on Sweethome Chicago are only 18 inches wide and the ones on Sweethome Alabama are 21 inches Good luck with the blank canvas Jon
hi Jelvis, you are making this thread complicated. On your first entry you were talking about operating unit trains of long modern autoracks. Beside the large radius you'll need, it made me thinking about mainline running at once. But getting a longish main line into your space with HO 30+ radii is almost impossible, to say the least. If your aim is a modern switching layout, leaving out mainline running your space probably is sufficient, also in HO. Shelf width is only an real issue if you like to have a return loop (180 degree turn). With the above radii mentioned you'll need a 6 ft wide shelf or table in HO; way to wide to reach in. In N-scale 3,5 ft will do; a width just doable for a short distance. For switching layouts a shelf width of 18" is probably all you need, length is far more important. Most famous of this type of modern switching layouts is Lance Mindheim's Down Town Spur. Paul
I told you,Paul that I am new to this hobby.I am here to get advice and to receive help,not get a lecture as to why and what I post on my threads. Your help is greatly appreciaite,but no more rude comments please. Jelvis
Can you provide a drawing of your bench work? It would be easier to provide you a layout plan. But have you done a search on this site &/or the internet for HO plans. There's a gazillion plans already out there. Find some that meet your needs and ask here how they can meet your needs.
Rude comments? Perhaps I'm not seeing the same post as you - I only see Paul giving guidance and helpful advice, but certainly not a lecture.
I believe it's called "I'm so new to this that any constructive criticism is a rude comment", like you Marc I see no rude comments, only good advice.
jelvis, download and purchase AnyRail software which will allow you to design a layout in any scale using most manfucatured track on the market. what you design will print out 1 to 1 and track can be laid on the image exactly. it gives you ability not only to design but to live with your plan and then help in building it is the best thing i have ever done in over 50 years of railroad modeling gary
Also piping in to say Anyrail is awesome and easy to learn. I could almost say my side hobby is designing layouts that I think up in Anyrail. Also you could have long unit trains come out of staging and make a couple of loops and then go back into staging. Or would you rather watch the train wind its way through varying scenery?
About a month ago, Jelvis had posted multiple topics instead of just replying to his own single topic. Paulus (and I) were I think the only initial responders and I think some frustration came through elsewhere.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JpHtxd53cpWSyM-mJpmDjdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink idea, with 5 track double ended staging underneath. Would be complicated to build, but this way you could store long freights underneath. It looks like a mess, but grades would top out at 2.5% and height clearance between tracks is at least 3"
Jelvis, As food for thought, I have attached a plan for a 14 by 13 layout that can get you thinking about what you can do in that space. It was done in AnyRail for N Scale using Peco Flex track and turnouts. Paul
