david slater Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 After many years of sitting about in boxes i have finally got back into my model railways but the question is what is the smallest the space that would ideally be needed for a simple loop layout with sidings in the centre. Or where could i place the layout my shed is not ideall as it has been robbed 3 times within 5 years! and the loft is FULL!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mennell Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Well mine fits under my daughter's bed! (It's about 6 x 3 feet) It has two stations, engine sheds, double platforms and ten sidings but is a single loop. The base board has foldable legs on which I have fitted large furniture sliders so it is easier to push under the bed. I plan to add another loop but that's another story! Unfortunately it uses 1st radius curves so this might limit your choice of locomotives but other than that it's pretty good. Could you do something similar? I will post a photo. jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howbi Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Hi David, welcome to the Forum.........it is recommended that 2nd radius curves are a sensible minimum so a baseboard would need to be 945mm wide by whatever length you have space for........1200mm or more would look best and this could be hinged along the long edge to a wall, set back by about 150mm for clearance.......this would enable the room for normal use and occasional model rail use...........HB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Jeff, trust me, when your daughter gets older she'll want a bigger bed, so I suggest you get her one now and then you'll have more room under it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDS Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Jeff, she will also want more storage space, so talk her out of having it under the bed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huwsie Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I built a layout 12ft x 5ft that was easily assembled, and dis-assembled for storage when not in use. Each way took no more than 10 mins and when stored in it's box, it occupied a space of 4ft x 5ft. Each section located with the next using dowels, so the track would always align well, and wiring was through quick-release multi-pin connectors./media/tinymce_upload/6f77c77276cb5552ca162bcee105dff7.png Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 Download the track geometry from the Support page on this website, which will give you a fair idea of overall minimum dimensions for each trach radius, then you can plan from there. Rather than have a rectangular board is there room for a shelf layout around a room Or conservatory window sill.Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Mennell Posted March 3, 2017 Share Posted March 3, 2017 I was so lucky inasmuch that the layout was given to me when my next door neighbour moved house. I didn't really want it as I thought I wouldn't have the time or finances to (re) start an interest. I did ask around to see if anybody wanted it as my neighbour said he would simply dump it! Eventually the skip arrived and the layout was about to go in when I made the snap decision to take it. The person who had originally made it (not my neighbour) had obviously spent a lot of time/interest and money creating it and I just couldn't bear to see it dumped. It wouldn't have been resposible to simply destroy what had been a labour of love. Happily the torch of enthusiasm burned bright and it fitted under said daughter's bed! As I said, I'm a lucky boy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.