O and S gauge layout together

An interesting challenge. Not a lot to find web searching. I found one, Train-O-Rama, in Ohio, that has O & S. At 1:38 in this video, you can get a look at their approach.

Blending the scenery to connect the two "worlds" would seem to be a good way to make them work. When I think of wedding cake styles, it's just not that appealing.

Can you fit two 4 x 8's in an L shape?

Thanks for the reply Carl and the video.  50 trains running at once, wow!

Not sure if I could do the L shape, I would have to rearrange other items in the room.

Thank you for your time, Ron.

Hi Mark,

Thank you for replying and your input.

I like your idea about the selective compression.

Thank you for your time, Ron.

I was observing the scenery transitions with the mixing of gauges. I think we could all enjoy a nice size building for our layout.

First a comparison shot. The a concept photo of the L with a mountain as the transition.

Here's a 4 scale 8 x 8, track with roadbed. The S and N elevated lines would look better without roadbed.

So, Lionel for O, Bachman EZ for HO, Gargraves for elevated S and Atlas for elevated N.

O outside at 0". S next at 5.5", then HO at 0", finally N at 7". The smaller trains are behind the larger and the scales alternate, so a direct comparison view doesn't happen.

Thanks, Firewood.

Thank you Firewood!

Love seeing it in its simplest form so I can start there.

I have Fastrack for S also.  Do you think this will fit?

Thank you for your time, Ron.

Thank you for sharing the L layout.  Looks nice with the mountain in there.

Thank you for your time.

atlayank,

I was thanking Firewood for the concept. I liked the setup in the video and used it for the 4 gauge concept.

I didn't use the FasTrack S because the curve size didn't match aesthetically. Also, that's the first elevated. Roadbed on elevated just doesn't look as good as open ties. That's why I posted the top view. I felt if the trains were on to much of a difference in curve shape, it may look strange. One train sweeping and one train turning quickly

kind of thing.

use what you have. It's your layout. I am just tossing out some ideas.

here's the track detail

I would put the O-Gauge loop on the first level.  I would try to put the S-Gauge on a second level and maybe layer it like a mountain where each level has a different gauge. Then it could give you some more perspective and it will look like the smaller trains are further away. 

Sorry gang, no credits on this one - just a layout I found in a Youtube search.

Firewood,

as I said, credit for contributing the find.

atlayank,

Did you ever build the mixed gauge layout? We'd like to hear if you did and perhaps see a photo.

Hello, 

I have been playing around with my layout and have tried a couple of different ways to have the different gauges on the same layout. The layout is now only a 4 x 8 but I have had O, S, HO and N together at the same time.  Nothing more than ovals when all 4 gauges are on the same layout, but there is still a lot of action with all 4 going at the same time. 

I am am includng some pictures so you can see what I have tried. Any feedback would be great. 

On my first crude floor layout I had Standard gauge on the outside loop and O on the two inside but didn't like it. I felt that the big Standard gauge was too dominating. Then later I tried a loop of S gauge but later took it out because it seemed lost with the O gauge. That was my experience but a lot of guys use different gauges and I always thought it would be fun.  Maybe on a bigger layout than I had it would work but my old one was about 10'x10' but I would try it if I were you.

Nice work.

I've always thought about combining O, HO, and N on the same layout (5x9 or 4x8) to satisfy my interest in all 3 scales, but could never really move beyond the drawing board.  The version that usually came up was the "wedding cake" that rose to a corner in the rear, with the O on the 5x9 (leaving space for operating accessories), the HO on a 4x7 and the N on a 3x5, with both the HO and O operating in tunnels for half of the loop and the N out in the open the entire time. Maybe someday

I like what you've done with what seems to be your raised "N" level at one end.  Could you provide some photos of that area in more detail?

Keep it up.

Firewood, I love the video you posted. It shows that a layout can be fun even when tracks are left open and mounted on dowels and other supports vs being filled in with mountain landscaping. I'm working on a 10x12 horseshoe, but if that doesn't work out, I might try something like that on a 6x12 or 7x12 island. In fact, I might work up a plan for something that anyway. I've still got a month, maybe more, before I can actually start constructon anyway.

I like what you've done with what seems to be your raised "N" level at one end.  Could you provide some photos of that area in more detail?

Sorry Kevin, I have already taken the raised N level off of the layout.  My layout is permanently temporary I guess.  All it consisted of was a 2 x 4 feet piece of raised cardboard so that it created a tunnel for the O, S and HO to go under and to have a small oval of N scale up on top.

Thanks for the comment.