4x8 Layout Ideas

BC,

Seven year ago, I made a kids layout for them to use while I worked on the big layout.  My kids were just entering elementary school and it gave them ownership of the layout.  I did two loops with two level.  The bottom level had switches, and operating track sections.   It has tunnels and bridges to allow the top level to run over the bottom level.   We picked a winter scene.  Another forum member MISS C. did a similar plan with a city scene. 

I not sure if I have the RR trax plan anymore.  The layout was dismantled and moved into my larger layout after we did work on the basement.  At that time my kids wanted to just use the big layout.  

Very nice Chris, thanks for the photos.

Did you have any accessories on this example?  Our son really loves accessories, but I'm trying to figure out if we should put the on the main line or a side.  He still has to work on his timing back up the trains!

Thanks again,

BC

Hi BC,

You could add four remote switches, 2 lefts and 2 rights connected curve to curve to join the two loops and operate one train with a small consist. This wold present the challenge of learning to manage the switches and create some fun for successfully doing so. That would build a foundation for future expansion. Add an operating track on the inner loop to dump logs. (easy to pick up and do again).The horse and milk box car with platform are cool too (a little tougher to load).

Just some thoughts from a guy with an 18 month old grandson. Built him a 4 x 8 loop with a Polar Express this past Christmas. Hit the whistle highballin' & smokin' and saw the look. I think we are both hooked.

Have you checked out Thor Trains? They have lots of 4x8 O Gauge track plans for classic (O27, O31) track, FasTrack, RealTrax, and Atlas O.

http://www.thortrains.com/

Cheers,

Ken 

BC, 

That is a 4x8. My previous layout was 7x12 so a 4x8 took some time to adjust to! . I think the "cliffs" along the sides make it look a bit bigger as they extend anywhere from a few to as many as 6 inches from the table. I'd like to do a small expansion, as I mentioned in my original post, as I'm getting a bit bored with it operationally. At this moment, I'm installing a few Z-stuff signals around the mainlines. Thanks for the kind words! 

This gives some variety from the usual ovals and could be built in two stages. Flat for easy construction.

Use "non-derailing" switches for easy operation.

I had the track gang and the crew dismaltling the train car.  I also used the ice loader and the signalman house.   I did have track operating accessories on the switches.  

Awesome design once again Ace! I think I just might build this one!

Ace....what track are you using in your plan?

It's drawn for old-style conventional 3-rail with O31 minimum curves. There is another thread with related plans in FasTrack and other versions:

https://ogrforum.com/d...nt/12129987960065919

Take the 5x 10 space it will give you more options down the road.

Max, 

I don't have a trackplan although I will do my best to describe it. The main tabletop is a "standard" oval of track with 0-42 curves. One Ross switch comes off of that for a long siding. A Lionel 0-27 switch is at the end of the long siding breaking the long siding into two small sidings. The tunnel covers about half of the layout. The upper loop is a simple 0-27 oval with one Lionel 0-27 switch tucked in for a small siding.

Hope that helps...let me know if you need more help. I may be able to dig up some pictures on my Facebook page or past forum posts to give a better glimpse. Unfortunately my camera lost a fight with a hardwood floor recently and my computer lost a fight with a roasting pan filled with turkey grease so both are out of commission for the time being. 

I'm seeing a lot of good layout ideas!  I especially like that return loop turned "inside out"--a real space-saver!

Aaron

 ace can u do this is scarm i would like to build this and maybe a list of the track in 3 rail tube track with 031 curves and i do not understand the easement thing thank u

Ace posts in spells here, so in case it is a while before he pops in again, I can explain the easement thing.

Easements are where you start a curve with a wide radius curve and then go to a smaller   radius curve. at the end of the curve, you finish with another large radius curve. In his layout, he has a curve that is made up with a o72 followed by a few o42s and then an o72. 

The easements make the engine enter the curve more gently, and makes derailments a bit less likely. 

Sorry I can't help you with the track list though.

J White

but i can make this layout with out easement right? and thank u for the answer

No, you cannot make this layout without the easement. It was designed that way and all of the other pieces fit with it. Trying to fit a three switch wye in a standard oval will be an adventure.

It makes the train look better on a small layout and track better. It keeps the couplers closer to the centerline.

Anyway, here it is in SCARM with some 3D's. You'll have to play with the clearance for the final height for your equipment. You'll have to cut some fitters and wiggle fit some places. The Atlas O flex on the parts list is only there to create custom fit pieces. The pieces on the reverse loop connecting the divergence are only there for the 3D effect. One 8.25" piece will work, so add a 10" straight for that and the other one up in the wye.

I haven't been on internet for a while and was surprised to discover this post. That's really cool to see that someone has built the plan! Thanks for posting the photos!

I originally drew it up with AnyRail before I knew about SCARM. SCARM is now my favored track planning software. I need to take a look at Moonman's SCARM file to see what that looks like.

For simpler starter layouts it's a lot easier to build something all flat, and the great thing with 3-rail track is it's relatively easy to change around for variety.

Hi everyone,

So I have an idea for a 4x8 layout that I am thinking of trying.  This would be for my 6 yr old son and I to run together, and later my younger son to run. 

Basically it would have 2 completely independent lines (green is upper, blue lower) on a two level arrangement.  The lower line would be o31 tubular track (because I have a bunch) and the upper line would be fast track with o31 tubular track yard sections.  The idea is to use as much of what we have on hand, and also be able to save costs by buying used Lionel 022 switches.  Those Fast track switches are expensive!

I thought the yard with some uncoupling sections would allow my son and I to get a lot more out of operating.  Plus he could learn to build a train, kind of like working a puzzle.  Also there is room for operating accessories such as our barrel loader and possible a log dump area.  I also have an idea for a coal transfer operation to be able to dump coal from the upper line to the lower, and then bring it back up in another operation.

I know it would be tight and require some creative landscaping & custom trestles, but I think it can be done.  So what do you guys think?

These are Lionel O made with Anyrail.

Just open Scarm, pick a track library on the left, and drag and drop pieces to get started.

Here's a SCARM file, right-click the attachment, select "save target as", save to your desktop, then double-click to open in SCARM.

Best explanation I have seen yet. Thanks!