a 4x8

The Lionel Fastrack book has a few ideas. The book is cheap to buy in paperback.

Here is our layout, the table is 5.5 x 8, not including the section off to the right.  Green is elevated, purple is incline, the rest is at the table level. It is essentially two reverse loops with a passing siding in between.   I like it because I can run one train on the upper level, one on the lower level, and have one sitting on a siding.  Then I can have them all switch positions to a different loop, siding, etc.

I would also look into Lionel postwar dealer displays.  There are many fun, interesting plans that often have a second level and most are roughly 5x9.

My favorite is the Lionel D-264

Also, one of my favorite topic threads:

https://ogrforum.com/...stwar-layouts?page=1

JD2035RR posted:

I would also look into Lionel postwar dealer displays.  There are many fun, interesting plans that often have a second level and most are roughly 5x9.

My favorite is the Lionel D-264

Also, one of my favorite topic threads:

https://ogrforum.com/...stwar-layouts?page=1

 

i agree that the d-264 looks the best, but i only have the space for a 4x8, and buying super O track is gonna cost a bunch of money, so is there any plans you know about that i could mabye shrink down to 4x8 with o31? thx

Here is another good one that I think you would like.

JD2035RR posted:

 

Here is another good one that I think you would like.

thanks. 

bennett V posted:

JD2035RR posted:

I would also look into Lionel postwar dealer displays.  There are many fun, interesting plans that often have a second level and most are roughly 5x9.

My favorite is the Lionel D-264

Also, one of my favorite topic threads:

https://ogrforum.com/...stwar-layouts?page=1

 

i agree that the d-264 looks the best, but i only have the space for a 4x8, and buying super O track is gonna cost a bunch of money, so is there any plans you know about that i could mabye shrink down to 4x8 with o31? thx

If you like this layout check out the Lionel D190 dealer display. It is similar in design, uses O31 and fits on a 4x8.

Steve

I agree with Steve.  The D-190 design is probably the ideal track plan for a 4 x 8 platform.  One of my last "O" gauge layouts, in the late '80s was based on the D-190.  Although I did expand it to a 5 x 10.

Not the best photo but you get the idea.

With the exception of grades needing some work to lessen them, the S-O layout might be copied with a smaller diameter track to fit to a 4x8 vs 5x9.

Thor's trains has quite a few old track plans to go over as well, but a search should pull some others up as well. I haven't had much luck with finding any dealer layout info online. Mostly it leads back here and is too fragmented for good researching (plus my os hates our search menu.)

If you run windows, download the free version of SCARM(better) or Anyrail (easier) and see if it fits, check the grade's max., etc.. I miss playing with them.

Not really a suggestion as much as just showing SCARM and an outcome. (a bit cramped for op.s, but I'm a looper anyhow. 4.5x9; S-O outer loop, O next , and 0-27 on center & elevation. In scarm, the 3d view can be spun on screen and zoomed in on too. The softward helped me stuff it all in.

It was also supposed to be ran from the other side. I just liked this view better once it was up and running.(scenery adjustment wasn't hard)

And railing along the longer straights on this side was also far easier than in the S curves on the backside   plus with a half wall, you can always walk to the other view here.

JD2035RR,

I have seen that layout video before. That is a really nice compact layout. I would like to see an overall track plan on it. Do you know where I could see one?

I am in the midst of building the D-190 display and am chronicling it in the Metropolitan Division of the Train Collectors Association's (Metca) quarterly newsletter, the Waybill (accessible to Metca members at www.metca.org).  Part 1 of "Building the Lionel D190" was published last quarter.  It's an easy build with plenty to keep you busy and you could squeeze a few extra accessories in there of you want to.  If you're in the New York area and are interested in seeing it in action, it will be on display at the November 2 show in Carlstadt, New Jersey.