Behind Couch Shelf Layout (Updated 30Mar23!)

I'm trying to figure how that benchwork fits behind the couches, especially the black one???

Ugh. I forgot to include height thoughts.  I'm thinking more above/behind the couches. So probably close to shoulder height, or in my case, I'd guess about 4.5-5ft. I should get a measuring tape out and approximate that better but was going to do it mostly by feel of sitting on the couch vs ability to see and reach the trains as needed.  I'll probably be sliding the couches a couple inches further from the walls too.

Current roster includes:

Marx: 999, 666, 1666

Lionel: 2037, 675, 224, 1654, 9638 (Mikado Jr)

Kline: 3002 (Updated version of a Marx 333)

As for freight car length, I'll have to try to dig a couple out to measure unless someone happens to have a variety of 3/16th tin out for a quick measure?

One thing to consider.  If the shelf is above the back of the couch, there's a risk that people sitting on the couch will be hitting their heads on it,  That would be an unpleasant side effect and probably result in retraction of the permission of the Mrs.!

That's a lot of couch for those rooms!  Keep in mind if any of those sections recline.

John, that is definitely a concern of mine. I might need to have my tall father in law come over and sit on the couches while I hold up some cardboard to represent parts of the layout.

Good points Marty, I do agree that there is in general an excess of couch but suggestions of that were not agreed to by the Mrs so it seems this is what I'm stuck working with for now... The dark green does recline some so I should test that, although we almost never use it as there is a coffee table that is hidden behind the big TV in these pictures that is in the way of the foot rest that kicks up.

Now for what I hope to do this winter.

• Paint and glue down the homasote boards.
• Acquire buildings, bridges, accessories etc
• Play around with track plan ideas
• Figure out a thin but sturdy backdrop
• Figure out a control panel/power supply solution

Some more thoughts/realizations.

• For better or for worse, the layout is barely below eye level when standing on the floor. In hindsight, I could have probably gotten away going an inch or few lower but at this height, no one on the couch risks hitting their heads nor feel claustrophobic. It does lend to a more realistic view though. In the end it is what it is.

• Something else I need to give thought about is some sort of backdrop. Something thin but sturdy I could paint/paste print outs on and 3m to the wall is what I am thinking currently.
• Finally, I am realizing I should give thought to how to locate a control panel where I don't have to stand on the couch the whole time. For just running and watching the trains, a board mounted transformer would probably work okay but I am thinking if I want to do any meaningful operations, I'll need a more conveniently located control panel for the turnout switches and possibly a handheld controller. Best I can tell TMCC stuff can run conventional but searching the internet/forums, I can't seem to find out what is needed to do that? Anyone have experience/feedback/ideas on that?

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Ultimately, I think I just need to dive in. I have never really "completed" a layout for one reason or another. I am sure this one will teach me a lot but I hope to have fun while learning! Thanks in advance for the tips, thoughts, help, and inspiration you guys provide on this forum.

Below is the current roster photo for fun.

@CaptJ posted:

Now for what I hope to do this winter.

• Paint and glue down the homasote boards.
• Acquire buildings, bridges, accessories etc
• Play around with track plan ideas
• Figure out a thin but sturdy backdrop
• Figure out a control panel/power supply solution

---

Some more thoughts/realizations.

• For better or for worse, the layout is barely below eye level when standing on the floor. In hindsight, I could have probably gotten away going an inch or few lower but at this height, no one on the couch risks hitting their heads nor feel claustrophobic. It does lend to a more realistic view though. In the end it is what it is.

• For the layout looks I am thinking of starting with a more toy/whimsical look/feel (as much as I love the high rail toy train look!). Likely something more 50s postwar in looks (Choo Choo Charlie is one inspiration) although I could see an area taking on more a prewar tinplate look as well. I might include some of what I did with my carpet central's as a 90's kid and try to have a Lego and/or Lincoln Log town section. We shall see.
• I currently don't have any set track plan ideas although one more ambitious thought has an upper loop above the shorter leg that is climbed to along the longer wall for an upper city town area and then the lower level would be more industrial/switching yard. I haven't played around in SCARM with it just yet. Open to ideas if you have any! I know I'd like to have "deadable" sections to park engines and potentially have separate power loops although I suspect only one would be continuous running while the other would be more switching.

• Something else I need to give thought about is some sort of backdrop. Something thin but sturdy I could paint/paste print outs on and 3m to the wall is what I am thinking currently.
• Finally, I am realizing I should give thought to how to locate a control panel where I don't have to stand on the couch the whole time. For just running and watching the trains, a board mounted transformer would probably work okay but I am thinking if I want to do any meaningful operations, I'll need a more conveniently located control panel for the turnout switches and possibly a handheld controller. Best I can tell TMCC stuff can run conventional but searching the internet/forums, I can't seem to find out what is needed to do that? Anyone have experience/feedback/ideas on that?

---

Ultimately, I think I just need to dive in. I have never really "completed" a layout for one reason or another. I am sure this one will teach me a lot but I hope to have fun while learning! Thanks in advance for the tips, thoughts, help, and inspiration you guys provide on this forum.

Below is the current roster photo for fun.

If the idea is to paste a pre-printed paper-type backdrop to a thin sheet of material to then be hung from the ceiling or affixed to the wall, you could consider using masonite or formica sheets.

I have used both with success by applying the backdrop using spray adhesive and then mounting the sheet to the wall. iN my case, I used inexpensive sky/cloud backdrops from Hobby Lobby.

Richie, that sounds like that should work for what I'm envisioning. Thank you for the idea!

Not too much notable in progress with the start of fall currently keeping me busy. Some track plan brainstorming. I did buy a Hornby Y switch for some close parallel tracks for what I envision being the engine house/maintenance area. I'll have to do some shimming since the Y is O gauge height but that shouldn't be too difficult.

Some reading on the forum suggests colored primer might be all I need to coat the homasote? Some also have done just paint? Others have done both primer and paint? Might just need to experiment.

Looking forward to the train shows this winter to collect bridges, buildings and other accessories. It'll help with planning I think to see how much room I need for various things.

Been meaning to give a quick update for a few months now. Over the holidays/this winter I was able to get the homasote painted and screwed down where needed.  Attended some train shows where bridges, buildings, and, cars/trucks were acquired. I also purchased some rolls of generic sky/clouds that another thread mentioned Hobby Lobby has for cork-board backgrounds. Still need to get something to paste them to. Besides what Richie suggested, I saw some people have also used foam board?

I also was able to get some old PM1 Powermasters and the rest of a TMCC system. I can now remotely control the train! I am hoping that with the TMCC system and the accessory control, I can remotely control some of the switches as well while still using the Powermasters in conventional mode? Haven't tested this idea yet.

I also changed the track plan pretty drastically. Now with some automatic reverse loops. I need to make more robust triggers (currently just some pop can bits insulated from the track with a wire pinched/taped to it) but the concept works! Some of the Marx switches got a quick cleaning/rebuild as well to improve their operation.

I am certainly open to any feedback or thoughts on the track plan thus far. Feeling reasonably confident I like the reverse loop/one mainline idea vs my previous big normal loop. I think it gives more room for scenery and sidings.

Spring is in the air but hoping to get just a bit more done on the layout before progress slows. Currently I am thinking the next things to tackle are:

• Wiring: Time to get busses and start putting some wiring underneath the layout for power drops.
• A shelf for the PM-1s and transformers so they are no longer on the layout itself.
• More robust reverse loop turnout triggers
• The backdrop.

After that I think the focus will switch to planning out towns and scenery like what buildings and where, roads, rivers, etc.

@CaptJ posted:

Been meaning to give a quick update for a few months now. Over the holidays/this winter I was able to get the homasote painted and screwed down where needed.  Attended some train shows where bridges, buildings, and, cars/trucks were acquired. I also purchased some rolls of generic sky/clouds that another thread mentioned Hobby Lobby has for cork-board backgrounds. Still need to get something to paste them to. Besides what Richie suggested, I saw some people have also used foam board?

I also was able to get some old PM1 Powermasters and the rest of a TMCC system. I can now remotely control the train! I am hoping that with the TMCC system and the accessory control, I can remotely control some of the switches as well while still using the Powermasters in conventional mode? Haven't tested this idea yet.

I also changed the track plan pretty drastically. Now with some automatic reverse loops. I need to make more robust triggers (currently just some pop can bits insulated from the track with a wire pinched/taped to it) but the concept works! Some of the Marx switches got a quick cleaning/rebuild as well to improve their operation.

I am certainly open to any feedback or thoughts on the track plan thus far. Feeling reasonably confident I like the reverse loop/one mainline idea vs my previous big normal loop. I think it gives more room for scenery and sidings.

Spring is in the air but hoping to get just a bit more done on the layout before progress slows. Currently I am thinking the next things to tackle are:

• Wiring: Time to get busses and start putting some wiring underneath the layout for power drops.
• A shelf for the PM-1s and transformers so they are no longer on the layout itself.
• More robust reverse loop turnout triggers
• The backdrop.

After that I think the focus will switch to planning out towns and scenery like what buildings and where, roads, rivers, etc.

You have a fantastic layout so far. Allow me to answer a few questions you had.

First: regarding running conventional trains with TMCC/Powermasters; yes you can run the remote switches. Just power the switches from a separate, fixed voltage. 10-12 Volts will be adequate power.

Second: If you want command-controlled switches and/or accessories, buy a few SC-2 controllers, and you can operate your switches and accessories from your TMCC remote. An SC-2 will control 6 switches, 4 switches and four accessories, or 12 accessories. With your set up, I'd recommend the SC-2s. You will need 2 for all your switches (set to operate 6 switches) and a 3rd for accessories (set on 12 accessory mode).

Third: Add uncoupling tracks or operating tracks to the sidings. Power those from a fixed power supply. An ASC and/or OTC will allow you to run those track sections from your TMCC system, too. You will need the cabling for those devices, too. The ASC and OTC are optional, of course.

Hey Dylan, thanks for the compliment and information!

I have a SC-1 right now which I think will able to control the three switches that are currently remote (but not automatic for the reverse loops). If that works well and I like it, I might look into swapping more to remote and grab an SC-2 or two but we shall see.

As for uncoupling tracks, currently I think I will need to be manual for that as 99% of my rolling stock is Marx 3/16 with the tilt couplers. Because of this, the manual switches aren't as bit of an issue, although if I want to do a lot of switching, I'll be doing a lot of couch standing. Hmmm. I should add this to my list of things to think about more.

Before cooler weather returned for these last few weeks, we had about a week of 70-80s here in MI so I've more or less converted priorities to spring mode. I have a list of things I'll grab as I get to stores but the layout work will most likely be pretty slow for a while till the hot humid days of summer make the basement more welcoming than the outdoors. I'll continue to tinker and plan as time allows though.

I just saw this thread for the first time, CaptJ.  You did a great job of utilizing the space you have!  The newest plan looks like you will be able to have quite a lot of operational variety!

Summer has come and gone. Back to hopefully making some more progress on the layout.

About a month ago, I built a shelf to hold the two TMCC setups for the two different loops (I'll be running conventional) and the powered switches/accessories transformer.

I have also been buying wire and other misc for doing a more proper wiring job next.  This is a start of preliminary sketching based on all that I have read with a shared ground for everything, lots of drops etc. It make sense to those who are more experienced?  I do realize that some sort of controller will need to be in the accessory circuit for the switches. Just wanting to make sure I am on the right track.

Thank you for your tips and advice!  Happy Railroading in 2024!

CaptJ, welcome back inside!  The shelf looks good.  The drawing makes sense to me, as I take it you haven’t drawn in all the track and switch connections yet.  It would be a very busy drawing if you had drawn them all in.

I'm not really understanding the utility of these two switches.  Unless there's a good reason, I'd leave those out, they just seem to complicate things with no gain.

Mark Boyce. Thanks! Yeah. A bit simplified but wanted to make sure I was thinking about it correctly.

GunrunnerJohn, I think I might catch what you are thinking to simplify that area. I have sketched out my idea on how I want to do blocks below and in order to have Block 1 running separately of the station/exchange siding, I need to keep those two switches.

Thank you all for the feedback! Sadly have not had time to start wiring just yet, but hopefully soon.