Show me your narrow space modeling with a siding

Here is a siding created to be a yard where shippers could drop off goods to be loaded onto RR cars.  There were just straight track sections where the switches are (one at the far end beyond the tower) and a grassy area. 

I tried to mock up the middle peninsula which looked like around 8'x4' and guessing 042ish curves.  Threw in a scenic divide in the middle of it and came up with this for a small industrial area on one side and a river scene on the other.  Its probably limited to one PS1 sized car per industry, but its 4 industries in one corner of your layout.

All the industries would be just half buildings or fronts.  Could make the boxcar industry 4 stories high.  Maybe cut the tank car track 'loading tanks' in half against the scenic divide to give you abit more modeling room.  I through in the magnetic crane because its just the coolest accessory and would work well at that spot.  The crane could probably load/unload from the main as well if wanted too.  The coal mine would also be chopped in half to squeeze it in and could also make a chute coming from the mountain.

This entire layout of mine was about 12" or less at all points around the perimeter. It can be fun working in a narrow space where just about all structures are building flats.

This layout is 2-rail O scale, but the same can be done with 3-rail

Jim

Jim, 

What is the radius of your 2 rail layout curves and what make of track is it?  Nice work!

Thanks, George.

They are Atlas sectional track 36" radius curves. Motive power is from Atlas: SWs and mostly other 4 axle diesels, although SD 6 axle units seem OK on these curves also.

Jim

Wow thanks for all the great photos everyone.  TrainsRMe, you've got a lot of elements in that yard and none of them look out of place (love the piano on the dock).

Mike H. My original thought was to try to come up with a psuedo-possible "natural" scenic divide something like a rocky ridgeline, but with each side of a wall being a backdrop painted differently it wouldn't matter so much. Or instead of paint, maybe a retaining wall where each side of the wall uses a different construction type.

Jim that layout was made to answer this post eh? Tons of inspiration there thank you so much. I think that's the first time I ever noticed flats so thin. And I was wonder what the prototype of that UP diesel is?

CSXAl, your scene is just awesome with the grass growing in the seams of the concrete, the buildings shaped to fit nicely in that space. The yellow pipes protecting the fuel/heating oil tank. Nice touches. This type of scene is most like what I imagine for my layout from an era perspective. The grades and difference in elevation is nice too.

Thank you all so much

Jim,

This is the building I took my inspiration from. It is a couple miles down the road from where I live.

Tim,

I think it was building that layout that convinced me that building flats can be too flat. They look much better if you can give them at least an inch or so of depth and vary that depth slightly from one building to another. I learned a lot from that little layout that I was able to use later on my large 3-rail layout.

This scene on my present layout is about 30 inches wide, but most buildings are less than 3 inches deep.

I don't remember which SD model that UP diesel represents. I'll have to check some of my other photos for a better look.

Jim

Tim, my entire layout was made that way.

See photo link below for ideas.

Steve

You need to follow Norm's layout build over in the "Track Plans and Layout Design" sub-forum.  He makes great use of building fronts along the wall to give his layout depth.

Dan

Frank, I actually have 13" space behind the door and never consider this but what a great idea. I can only hope I could create something nearly so convincing. I really appreciate the construction photos.

Steve, Funny you should say that. I nearly completely devoured your site on Thursday night. And yes it did not escape me that your photos show how much you did within narrow spaces. I've been amazed at your photos of weathered rolling stock. Watching a video of all those weathered, graffitied cars going by with the sounds of squeeling and clacking wheels all adds to the realism. Really enjoyed your construction photos and how much you accomplished with just wood. Lots of inspiration there too. Thanks for sharing it.

http://www.atlaso.com/osd35.htm

Tim,

Think it is this, an SD35

Thanks Lima. It looks the same to me.