Just made the move from NH to FL. My 13 x 16 basement around the wall space is sadly, along with my layout, history. My space now is only 6 x 9 taking up a good part of the enclosed screen room. (Must keep some room for some chairs someone said!) One 6ft side butts up to a wall, the other 3 side will be table top, cookie cutter I hope.
I rebuilt my basement layout in NH (All Gargrave flex track) a few times without much trouble with the track plans. On the outside loop I could run the scale N&W Y6b, A class, and J class quite well, but mostly used my Railking Y6b and J, 2-8-0 etc. I know my full scale days are over, but I've seen videos (YouTube) where the Railking steamers look not to bad on smaller layouts.
Now I am scratching my head on planning a layout to fit this small space. I hope to stay with Gargrave track, but willing to change. My goal is the longest run possible, running two short trains with a short siding. I'll then hope to find room for some structures. Up and Down grade figured in.
On my NH layout I could run the N&W MTH/Lionel Y6b with 22 scale Coal cars and caboose and it looked great. From what I can figure this 6 x 9 space (with the Y6) is good for 3 to 4 Coal cars and caboose. A couple more with a 2-8-0. Maybe 2 loops? I take a max 31 radius is all that would fit. For sure the larger the better!
Thanks for any help drawing up a good suggested track plan. You can email me any ideas that anyone cares to draw up. Got to start building something soon or I'll go nuts!!
Thanks All.
