8 by 14 track plan?

John, 

I may have something you want to look at for ideas, and possibly modify... It was a layout I had when I lived in maine, it was 8 x 11 or 8 x 12, but with the extra length, you could increase the radius of most of the curves, so you could run larger steam locomotives if you wanted/needed to... The only format I have it in is RR 4.0 software, not sure if you have their track planning software....   Send me an email if your interested, I could print out a hard copy, scan it and email it to as a pdf...  Also I could email you some photos so you have some decent idea of what it looks like built.    Chris a

Go down to the Layout Forum. There are lots of ideas down there. 

John:

Questions:  Is this going to be a toy train layout?  Or model railroad layout?  Or combination?  Track plan?  What railroad is this?  Where is it?  Will it be a free lance layout?  Is it strictly a toy train with accessories?  If "real" will this be a switching layout?  Main line?  Mountainous?  Is this a display layout?  Is this going to be an operations layout?  Your track plan will vary greatly depending specifically on what you want.

IF you are just seeking ideas for track to fill a space, I would suggest to you to think about exactly what it is you want to do.  layouts range from toy train circles on flat surfaces to highly authentic highly detailed works-of-art models that are video/magazine worthy.

Think about where you are on this spectrum and exactly how you want your layout to be and what you will be doing to enjoy it after it's completed.  It's far more than just fitting track to a space.  Many people do that and wonder why they lose interest or can't seem to figure out why there are not satisfied with their layout.  Putting together a layout is like working a jigsaw puzzle.

However, you are the one who must design, not track arrange, first all your parts and then put them together so in the end you will be satisfied and have an enjoyable set up.

So exactly what is it you want to do?

Thx.

John

Details.......As asked it's kinda like asking how much to cut down a tree.......only 300,000 possible answers.

Think around the walls instead of table - benchwork instead of platforms.    Generally you get a lot more square footage going around the walls of a room vs an island layout.

PRRJIM, agree that you can get more track mileage with around the room.   But you don't always have as good of views compared with an island where you can move around the layout to see the trains and scenery from different angles.   I find around the room layouts kind of boring - more like the layouts that are done in HO and N.   Which is fine, there are trade-offs to everything, and it depends on what you like.  Also, sometimes there are windows and multiple doors that can't be blocked with a layout (which is my situation in my 10X14 room, that must also host my computer desk and a bookcase).  So I am looking at island layout designs.   Another consideration is how can the around the room be closed - can you use duckunders or removable bridges?

John, what does the room look like in terms of doors and windows - what cannot be blocked by the layout?   Do you want return loops at the ends of two layout arms with an open space in the middle?   If so, what is the minimum diameter that will work for you if return loops are used?

John, here is a 12X18 layout with an O-60 route and O-48 using Fastrack.   Is this general design what you might be looking for?  In a 8X16 space a condensed version would probably need smaller diameter curves for the loops at each end.

John, this layout can fit in an 8 X 14 space with some room to move around, but not room for much more than the layout.

Big debate is to finish or not finish the basement.  It is complicated.  I just bought the new home (finances?) and I am retired so income is fixed.  I have the talent to do it myself but I am in a highly permitted and regulated area of Colorado where you need licensed people to do most things with inspections. Also we need special construction in the front range of Colorado called "floating walls" in the basement due to shifting of gas deposits.  So be it...but..the building market is wildly busy and there is a major shortage of skilled labor. No licensed labor to be had without long waits.  So cost, availability and limitations on "do it myself" is a factor.  I like the basement as is...clean and dry with three floor to ceiling windows...but nowhere to mount any shelves.  Around the room layout design is my dream as I have advanced arthritis (58 years old).  A little stuck because I can't really proceed until I make a decision on finishing the basement.  I suspect I need an around the room layout.

John Sherwood 

Peyton, CO

FWIW, I'd pay da piper and get a good contractor and finish the basement. Finished basements do sell houses if done right. Just make sure you have ample electrical outlets around the room.

John, can you do a rough sketch of the room with the windows and doors (no closets?).  As you have heath issues (as do I), I would assume a duckunder is out (I don't like those anyway), but perhaps a lift-out bridge would be OK?

-Ken

Take a look at this track plan.

This fits 6ft x 11ft and can be expanded.  This plan gives super action in a small space.

To see details how I built this layout including the $10 scratch turntable check out my large running topic at

https://ogrforum.com/...ra-027-layout?page=1

Charlie

John:

At a minimum, I'd finish the area where the layout will be.  Question:  Exactly what kind of a layout do you want?  Toy?  Museum Quality?  Combo?  Is it a yard?  Logging?  Where is it?  Mountains?  Valley?  Big City?  You would want a certain track arrangement depending on your dreams.

Knowing your "finish or not finish basement" quandry, here's what I would suggest.  Consider John C's questions above, look for sources of existing trackplans, and then find the ideas or pieces that will fulfill the answers you have chosen.  Then, do a rough draft of what you'd like, take a picture of it, and post it here with an explanation of what your answers were and what your minimums are for layout construction.  Only then can you get real help here.

Once that's done, and if you decide to "finish" the basement, you can build your layout in segments as suggested in the TOMA approach over at Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine.  Just make sure you can move the segments / modules out of the way when basement finishing begins.

Let the dreaming and fun start now.

Chuck

Mine is 6.75 by 14.  The buildings on the right are above the track.

It's all Atlas track and allows for 3 trains going at once.  More if you have command and set them at the same speed for the outside track (I've had 3 trains going at once on the outer loop.).  One of these days I'll actually get around to laying more than the outside loop.

No picture here.

John S.,

I think you get the gist - lots of details to discuss - update your profile or email me.

The soil where you now live can absorb water and expand. That's what causes problems. The soil and rain gutters should all slope away and down from the foundation.

Atlas has nice layout - 8 x 15 in their layout gallery, O-27. O81 and O72 curves. It would make a nice island layout.

I would hold off on basement finish project until you live with it a few seasons. perhaps just paint the walls with a color.

DoubleDAZ posted:

No picture here.

I see that now.  Yesterday it was there.  Whelp, here it is.

This is a nice layout.  The only thing I would say about it is it does not really allow for a great deal of scenery work. I say this because my layout is also full of track. I see there are outlines for buildings but can't tell how big the buildings are. These issues all need to be addressed prior to building your layout. 

If you do not have track planning software, I strongly suggest you invest in a package. I use RR-Track and I feel it is cheap insurance to allow for easily taking a plan to fruition and this package provides a BOM (bill of materials) that will also save you time an money over the long run. 

Here is an idea for an 8X14 layout that fits in an 8X16 space.   It is based on five 2X6 tables/modules with one 2X2.   It has two lift-out bridges at the entrance to the layout.   There is room for a door on the lower right into the room from either of two walls.   Access and reach is excellent for the entire layout.   The outer route is O-60 to handle O-54 locomotives.   The inner route and the rest of the layout is O-48 minimum, so traditional locomotives and cars will look good going around these curves.   There are industry spurs scattered around the layout, and there are cross-overs between the routes.   One long spur could serve as a staging/holding track for a third train on the layout, taking turns with the other two trains without having to take trains and cars on and off the layout to change trains.

This improved version has O-60 turnouts for all mainline turnouts, with some industry spurs with O-48 turnouts.   All spurs have lighted Fastrack bumpers.   A run-round track has been added and some industry ideas, along with a tunnel.