Updated November 9,2015-My 6x9' layout build

Looks like a great start!!!

Nice! And a foot larger in every dimension then I'm going have room for.  I like the extension too, not too big but adds alot.  Post your progress I'd like to see it.

 

Alan

Looks good Joe, hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

That's a nice little track plan you have there.  You're sure to have fun with that layout.

--Greg

Great start. Looking forward to your updates.

Very impressive. I always enjoy seeing the layouts built in the 4X8, 5x10s track plans. Always amazed at what can be done in a small area, running, and switching. Keep us updated as it progresses. Love it.

Looks good! Always nice to see smaller layouts.

A nice design. I particularly like the extension, a great way to maximize the space and still maintain an aisle behind the layout. I am looking forward to your updates.

What struck me is that you modified the track plan to fit the available space.  Nice going!  Having 2 loops and the ability to cross over between them seamlessly as well as some spurs for switching should keep run time interesting.

 

Bruce

Very nice start. You have the makings of a really good layout. Please keep us posted with your progress.

Very well thought out.  Keep posting.  

that looks like a great start, keep the pics coming!

Nice neat work.At times,I wish I would have kept mine that simple.Nick

That is a nice start to a what will become a great layout. What kind of grass mat did you use? 

Looks great

 

 

Alex

Thanks for all the great responses.

 

Bruce, you are right, I modifield the track plan to better fit the space. I designed the plan with SCARM. It's a good program (and free!) but needed a little tweaking.

 

Danny, the grass mat is Woodland Scenics Green Grass Vinyl Mat.

 

 The Benchwork is covered with 1" extruded styrofoam. That is covered with carpet padding from a local carpet store, and then covered with the WS mat. The Carpet padding reduced the noise level significantly.

 

 I will keep the updates coming as I make progress.

Very nice,please keep us updated.

 

Brad

Hey Joe,

 

I like the carpet padding idea under the grass mat. With all the postings on how to reduce the noise level of trains running on fastrack, I don't recall seeing that one! I might steal the idea (or some variation of it) someday...

 

It makes me happy to see those pictures.  I finally resumed working on my O-Gauge 6'x8' layout with custom-built base.  I'll be happy to post some pics soon but as others have said, would love to see your progress.  Good for you

Very nice work, its coming along great.  Thanks for sharing.  Nick

Joe,

The layout is looking good.  I too, moved to O gauge after over 40 years in HO and N because of bad hands and eyes.

Looks great and I agree with others posters that it is neat to see what can be done with a small layout. To me, O is like HO on steroids. Just a tad bigger, but reasonable enough to be placed even in the smallest of places within ones own dwelling.

 

My layout is still on the floor/carpet. Reason is, our basement will eventually be done over and I cannot commit to a real layout until that is accomplished. In the meantime, I am happy with the floor and my meager beginnings in O once again.

 

My layout is roughly 4X8. Not big at all and judging by those rather large auto racks, very tiny indeed. Yet, I am just collecting stuff and getting ideas.

 

Pete

Looks great!  

Peter

I really like the grass. nice track plan too. good going. John

Looks real good. Obviously some good planning went into this layout.

 

Thanks Jim. Feel free to steal anything that will help you. I have benefitted from others advice and am very happy to help.

 

 

 

Thanks Mark. I also have poor eyesight. I love all trains but the smaller scales are just getting too hard for me. Besides, I started with O and have always loved it so it feels like I'm returning to my roots. And I'm having a lot of fun.

 

Joe

 

Something to think about, You could run the 2 track main line along the walls of the room with the yard in the middle which would still give you room to walk a round. This would give you more usable track space and a more efficient use of space.

 

Trainyard. I can relate to being carpet central. Mine has become Carpet Central from hell. I finally worked out the issue that had keep me from bringing it off the floor. But now I want to make it two levels. Yards on the bottom with Main line on the top. Now I am trying to figure out the most efficient way to connect both levels. That's what happens when you hang out on OGR.

 

Doug

Thanks for the suggestion, Doug. I thought about that but it would be difficult to do. There is a closet behind me in the first picture and the door into the room is across from the transformers on the right. I use the closet to store train stuff so I can't block it. You're right, it would make a bigger and better layout, I just can't do it.

I am familiar with your layout over in the n scale world. I have an n scale modular in the works, but like you I struggle with the eyes (macular degeneration). I am now starting an around the room shelf layout using track from a old O guage layout. Keep us posted and nice seeing you post here.

In a way I envy you, Joe.  Starting with a clean slate and nice new equipment.  It looks lovely.  We'll be watching for your progress.  I love all layouts! 

Thanks Radar. I guess you've seen my layout on N-Scale.org. I'm sorry to hear about your macular degeneration. In my case it's just very poor eyesight and shaky hands. O gauge is much easier to work with.

 

Thanks Trains. It is easy starting from scratch with everything new, but more expensive. Fortunately, I am financing it by selling off old G and Z gauge trains.

 

Here are the latest pics. I added a number of buildings and a few figures and a car. I still need to add a building between Wise Guys Pizza and Fat Head's Bar and maybe one or two more. The buildings are not wired yet. I'll start on that after Christmas.

 

 

 

Looking good. One thing I'm short of is structures but not sure what I'm going to need til I get things set up. Keep those pictures coming. Looks like real nice layout. Thanks for comments about my eye problems guess that's the golden years I know the 70's is not like the 30's for sure.

 

Sorry, I don't. My G gauge stuff is all narrow gauge LGB.

I forgot to specify - DUH!   Z is what I had in mind.

Hi Country Joe • Like all the placement of all the structures on the layout.

I Large Mushroom Pizza to go and a Pepsi. 

  Click photo to enlarge from Country Joe's Layout. 

Just about all the Z stuff is gone. I have one Marklin 3 freight car set. It will go on ebay soon. 

Lookn good....might have to copy your layout.I was thinking big...but...I just know it would never happen.Your plan is do-able...and that would get my trains out of the boxes !!! Keep us posted !!

What size turnouts are you using ?? Thanks