Small layout

[Johnny Wizz]

Hi, I am new to model railways and am starting as a retirement hobby. My problem is having very limitted space. I want to build in OO but have a maximum baseboard size of 5' x 4'. Looking at various trackplan websites this seems to be almost impossible to achieve. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where i might find some plans on this size or is it just a non starter?

[trainlover23]

 Basically it is a none starter 6ft x 4ft is normally the accepted minimum size

[walkingthedog]

If space is restricted my I suggest N Gauge. Hornby don't make N gauge. Visit the modelrailwayforum www.modelrailwayforum.co.uk for more advice.

[LCDR]

 Alternatively -- forget a roundy-roundy layout and consider an end to end one. These can be fairly narrow and hug one or more sides to a room. You operate these much more like the real thing with stations at either end, separated by a scenic section.

[Huwsie]

Take a look at my latest post under the thread "No space to set up a layout!' - that occupies a 5x4ft area, provided that you have a bigger area in which to set it out when you use the layout? You could use a scalled down version of my idea, but it's never going to work in an assembled baseboard area of 5x4 ft, unless as others have already stated, you use N gauge, or an end-to-end layout.

[2e0dtoeric]

Very small OO layouts in the roundy-roundy format tend to look silly, because if you put three coaches behind an engine, it almost catches itself up!

For such a small area, you'd be better with an end-to-end, or a 'shunting puzzle' type of layout - but even those are quite liited in what you can do.

One option is to have the small layout, but have one of the ends made so it can plug in to a longer temporary run, so the train can appear to actually go somewhere.

[dynax]

you could have something like this, with an option to extend,

 

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[Tony57]

Hi

Have you thought of a shelf layout, along a wall,  small terminus station  narrow scenic link to a small fiddle yard. max size 12" to 18" wide x 4' long in a corner  12" wide x 4' long  fiddle yard other corner narrow scenic link 6" - 12" wide to fill the gap between station and fiddle yard, ( or another terminus station)

[Huwsie]

I'll never forget my Dad's first words when I announced to him that he's about to become a Grandfather... he looked up as if deep in thought... then turned to me and said "well, you'd better extend that layout now".... even though at that point we didn't know if t was a boy or girl.... it was a funny moment that I will always remember, and I did in fact extend the layout - and it was a boy! 

[Buz]

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Hi Johnny Wizz

What can be achieved on a 4'6" square board a very early picture of the layout the cork for the two siding goods yard is not down yet

in this 2013 picture.

The layout has two stations a fiddle yard goods yard and loco depot and the all important places to extend from.

Max train length is two passenger coaches and an 0-6-0 tank or tender loco or 4 or 5 goods wagons.

The layout has a light railway theme so short trains are the rule.

For small layouts less is more but still do not go below second radius curves.

Where small layouts win hands down is the level of detail that can be achieved and that one man can build them.

On my layout the right five or ten minutes work has made a big impact a couple of times.

regards John

[Buz]

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And more or less what it looks like at present it works for me

Find the bunnies 😆

regards John

[Chrissaf]

"Find the Bunnies" ........Here perhaps.

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[Buz]

"Find the Bunnies" ........Here perhaps.

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That's them.

Don't know why I go that small with details you only miss things that small when they are not there and when they are you almost can't see them.

Hedgehog next when I can find it and get it painted and that is tiny not even going to bother with the weasel even a 10 O brush seems too big to paint it

regards John

 

[Chrissaf]

Question.....just curiosity, but what is this doing ?

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PS - Not fitted yet, but I have a Fox for the planned allotment.......that is about as small as I intend to go with scenery animals. Maybe a few sheep on a hillside, but not currently purchased (just an idea).

[Buz]

Question.....just curiosity, but what is this doing ?

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PS - Not fitted yet, but I have a Fox for the planned allotment.......that is about as small as I intend to go with scenery animals. Maybe a few sheep on a hillside, but not currently purchased (just an idea).

That horrible mess!! EEK!!

I don't like it at all non-standard ( not the same as the other switches used) and slide then press switches.

Is a bank of three Atlas point switches for the hidden fiddle yard at the back of the layout under where the village is being done.

Hmm, the 1, 3, & 5 labels have fallen off it will have to dig out the Dymo label maker.

regards John

[Jeff Mennell]

Buz,

I uploaded some photos of my small layout but for some reason they never appeared so here they are again!/media/tinymce_upload/dc47b797206260773565d1766fe0ff85.JPG

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[Nick_]

@jonny Wizz 

For some layout ideas of all sizes, take a look at http://www.freetrackplans.com

[Buz]

Hi Jeff Mennell

NICE!

I see you have used the same sneaky dodge I have a station that is part of the Roundy roundy and can terminate trains as well.

my trains are short as you can see.

May I suggest you paint loco shed window frames Grimey black or a Dark green for a better appearance.

Painting other parts and window frames before construction can give a better finish as there is always some part you can't get properly when the kit is together.

The expensive bit is going to be the few carefully chosen figures to finish it off the terminal just screams for jack the station cat and the station master standing looking at his watch, and loco for the almost overdone tea break scene.

regards, John

[Jeff Mennell]

Thanks Buz, unfortunately I cannot claim to have made this layout as it was already 'done'. Indeed I rescued it as it was on the way to being chucked into a skip!! It is a restorative work in progress. It has changed in the short time these pics were taken. The sidings have gone and are due to be replaced with newer track and the engine shed has been relocated to the new double sidings that you can see under construction. A new loading shed will be added to a little used siding with a new access road for lorries. Platform canopies/kiosks and pedestrian bridge are awaiting placement. At some point  another loop will be added along the top of the tunnels which will join the existing loop in front of the wayside halt. Signals are under construction. The layout will eventually be populated and posters/platform fixtures added! I will at some point ballast the track and look at static grass. I'm thinking that the scenario or theme for the layout will be a 'heritage line and rail museum' as that way I can have locos from any era I want

 

Cheers,

 

Jeff

[Buz]

Hi Jeff Mennell

Looking at the signal box Dapol EX Airfix or maybe the real deal would in, theory make it an ex-Midland railway. line.

It's an MR style wooden signal box.

So perhaps try and give it nominally an MR-LMS  feel with the typical mishmash of stock a preserved railway usually has.

That would work with the I like it I am having one part of the equation and the believability factor as well.

have fun

regards John

 

[Jeff Mennell]

Buz,

The signal box is going as well! I prefer the Metcalf card kit box.

 

Jeff