layout plans for 11x11 room

Have you considered doing an around the walls style layout with a lift up section for the doorway? I am just about done with my house and have a train room and that is the style I am leaning toward right now. With 027 curves you will be limited in what can run on the layout. If you chose to buy some larger locos or rolling stock in the future you will have to redesign the layout to accomodate the larger stuff. If that desk has to stay then I guess you have something that will work. I would change the angled part and put against the wall with an open section in the middle or a pop-up. Just my opinion.

Here's one idea...This set up gives you a main line loop. You can also add switches and run the main line with two loops and one track #1 going around the back of the layout. and remove track #2. you can run your bump and go on that section. My upper level is similar to this design and I have a 3rd level for my bump & go trolley that goes from the second level to the 3rd level.

Ever consider a switching layout?  These are challenging and fun!  If all you do is go round and round in that space, you may become bored as quickly as I did.  The MAJOR advantage to a switching layout would be the elimination of the turnback curves which are HUGE space-eaters.  Switching layouts provide a purpose for you, others and your trains.  It is interesting and prototypical to switch cars around--kind of like a 3-D puzzle.

If you are set on wanting a continuous round track--you want to research a lift out section, or a raising bridge, something, where you can just have it go around the exterior of the room, but yet YOU may enter WITHOUT ducking.  Don't Duck!  That will quickly become an issue.

If you do this you can still add a spot or two to do some switching.  Give it some thought and a chance.  My operators enjoy our 3 small switching layouts as much as the entire basement layout.

Would stick with O gauge track to run some larger rolling stock.

I had a similar situation with a 9X14 room.  My solution was to create a half wall for viewing, double track main round the room elevated lines with a lift up section to enter/exit without a duck under, and a dog bone main line on lower level with lots of spurs to operate classic Lionel accessories.  I agree with using 0 gauge track. Provides more opportunity for locos and other rolling stock.

I created a lift up section for a similar layout in my teen years.  For the "dream" layout in retirement, I followed the expert advice of Jim Barrett  (may he rest in peace) for creating this unique feature. I am on the road now, but if interested, can forward the reference to his article in OGR Magazine, which describes this process.

Enjoy!

Michael

Well, after much time on a drawing board.  I have just decided to disassemble my 8x5 layout in the garage..find strong backs and move it into my 11x11 room.  It on markproof castes and I can then move it around as I need to get from the front to the back.  I thought of lengthening it from 8 feet to 10.  But I would have to add more framing and I question if the work, time and money is really worth 2 feet.   Also when pushed to one wall it would only give me 12inches to get behind it..Thank the Lord I'm a skinny guy for that.  I will redo the whole layout to a winter,  mountain and tunnels. I'll keep the outside main line but me thinks i will change up the inside and add a elevated trolley line between the mountains...    I'll keep ya all posted with pictures....Thank folks..

Dougie fresh, I like the concept. I would suggest, that since it will be moveable, that you paint the walls blue. I used Sherwin Williams “cloudless. Stencil some clouds and then use flats along the walls. Then when you need access, the flats are mounted to the wall and the bench work rolls away.

Already a head of ya.  I painted the walls a few weeks ago. I very watched a few utubes on painting clouds.  But what do you mean by flats?

@Dougie fresh posted:

But what do you mean by flats?

I think flats is referring to what is essentially a facade of a structure - it is just one side of a structure. Place it against the wall to give scenery behind the layout and create the illusion of depth. This layout makes great use of flats. (good example at around the 5:20 mark)

As mentioned above they affix to the wall and provide a sense of depth. They can be house, factories, high rises, mountain range, etc.  In the current, and previous, edition of OGR magazine there is a discussion regarding flats. On EBAY do a search for o scale flats. Or, do a forum search.

Adding just 2' feet of extra length would probably not be worth the construction time, effort and money from a train running perspective.

However, a 2' X 5' area to put a small yard with 3-4 sidings (even just for staging) and some industry structures would be worth it, IMHO.

@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:

As mentioned above they affix to the wall and provide a sense of depth. They can be house, factories, high rises, mountain range, etc.  In the current, and previous, edition of OGR magazine there is a discussion regarding flats. On EBAY do a search for o scale flats. Or, do a forum search.

YES....heck I have a half dozen of them...

@Richie C. posted:

Adding just 2' feet of extra length would probably not be worth the construction time, effort and money from a train running perspective.

However, a 2' X 5' area to put a small yard with 3-4 sidings (even just for staging) and some industry structures would be worth it, IMHO.

will have to look at that.....

Dougie, moving the existing layout sounds like a good plan to me, then you can change it as you wish. 

I do like Richie's idea of adding a small yard. 

@Mark Boyce posted:

Dougie, moving the existing layout sounds like a good plan to me, then you can change it as you wish.

I do like Richie's idea of adding a small yard.

We are heading out again in the RV for a few more weeks, but when I get home for the winter I will post pictures of it once I get it moved into the room and through the rebuild stage...

That sounds great, Dougie

Have a great time and drive safely.

This is the track layout with all the stuff off it.  I will keep the outside main line but will do something different with the other and a mountain will be added.