HO Model Trains - Layout
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One of the difficulties in Model Railroading is the building of a layout. It is time consuming and it takes space. The latter is the difficult obstacle to over come.
Depending on what your are aiming for determines the space requirements to develop a interesting an fun layout. Many layouts are set in an 8 x 4 area. You say "what can I do with that"? A lot of interesting things can be produced on an 8 x 4 area or sheet of plywood. The best alternative from the sheet of plywood is to build an elevated set of platforms with one flat area for a small yard. By using a support frame construction you can have a layout that can go twice around the 8 x 4 area. You may build various levels of track bed at a reasonable gradient. You want to measure the linear rate of ascent or percentage of the grade you intend to build. Assuming that you are going to have only small steam engines with the maximum being a 2-8-2 Mikado steam engine you do not want to exceed 2% at the very most. 1 1/2 % grade is more reasonable since your space constraints dictate your gradient and the ability to clear lower trackage as you climb, passover and descend. You need to get or make a scale that provides you with the information as how much 1/2% is per linear foot and so on per 1/2% increments till you have a maximum of 3%. You are trying to determine the rise and length of track necessary to clear trackage below over an overpass or the like. The curvature is still the same in crease but you are climbing in an arch. You are going to have to determine the height necessary to clear any obstacles, how much length of trackage is required to meet that goal based on the rate of decent or grade percentage. You want to be conservative on the low side keeping the grade at 1 1/2% or less based on the space you have. There is another problem that you must face and that is what percent can your engines climb with a load. This area of your railroad is critical in its design. How much length of track will it take to climb the mountain and then descend the mountain and still have room for other trackage on the layout including a yard and perhaps a roundhouse.
There are several books available from various sources that will give you ideas on how to design a support frame structure including what percent grade is applicable to an 8 x 4 space. You may be interested in HOn3 scale which allows for a great deal of building ideas. You can use 15" to 18" radiuses and have up to 6% grades. In some cases you may go as low as 12" radiuses depending on the type of locomotive you choose.
The choice is yours as which scale you decide to operate with. The problem with HOn3 is that the engines that have been built over the years do not run very well. If the engines have been reworked with can motors and new gearboxes then they should run very well. I have had several HOn3 locomotives from various importers. The best were the Westside engines in particular the C-16, K-27, K-28, and K-36. The other types had serious mechanical problems.
If you want to stay with the standard HO that is not a problem. Go to your local hobby store and find specific softback books on the construction of small railroads. You can always run a point-to-point railroad along a wall with a wye at one end and a turntables at the other to turn you engines. The point is to determine what area is available and what is the best means to utilize the space. I strongly recommend that you purchase soft covered books from your hobby store on railroad construction and the use of space. Belonging to a model railroad club would be a great deal of help as would having a friend who is a seasoned model railroader. You need to ask questions particularly the hobby shop personnel. They will know who is in the hobby and would be willing to help you. You may have the opportunity to work on a layout and learn some of the ticks of the trade so to speak. Another alternative is to check at your work and see if the company sponsors a model railroad club.
Once you begin to build your model railroad it becomes infectious and you don't want to leave it alone. You may change it several times and fine better ways to create the railroad that you dream about. Perhaps more space becomes available which allows you to increase your empire. A friend may come by to help you from time to time as you become more aware of those who have like interests. The sky is the limit in this hobby. I have been dabbling in this hobby for 59 years and am still not board. There are so many new innovations today because of the great advances that have been made in the electronics industry, art materials, glues, scenic materials made from new fiber materials, plastics, materials for making hills, mountains and valleys. It is almost endless as the imagination of man moves forward with greater ideas. As in many new things the spinoffs cover a vast area of interests and needs with model railroading being no exception.
One of the difficulties in Model Railroading is the building of a layout. It is time consuming and it takes space. The latter is the difficult obstacle to over come.
Depending on what your are aiming for determines the space requirements to develop a interesting an fun layout. Many layouts are set in an 8 x 4 area. You say "what can I do with that"? A lot of interesting things can be produced on an 8 x 4 area or sheet of plywood. The best alternative from the sheet of plywood is to build an elevated set of platforms with one flat area for a small yard. By using a support frame construction you can have a layout that can go twice around the 8 x 4 area. You may build various levels of track bed at a reasonable gradient. You want to measure the linear rate of ascent or percentage of the grade you intend to build. Assuming that you are going to have only small steam engines with the maximum being a 2-8-2 Mikado steam engine you do not want to exceed 2% at the very most. 1 1/2 % grade is more reasonable since your space constraints dictate your gradient and the ability to clear lower trackage as you climb, passover and descend. You need to get or make a scale that provides you with the information as how much 1/2% is per linear foot and so on per 1/2% increments till you have a maximum of 3%. You are trying to determine the rise and length of track necessary to clear trackage below over an overpass or the like. The curvature is still the same in crease but you are climbing in an arch. You are going to have to determine the height necessary to clear any obstacles, how much length of trackage is required to meet that goal based on the rate of decent or grade percentage. You want to be conservative on the low side keeping the grade at 1 1/2% or less based on the space you have. There is another problem that you must face and that is what percent can your engines climb with a load. This area of your railroad is critical in its design. How much length of track will it take to climb the mountain and then descend the mountain and still have room for other trackage on the layout including a yard and perhaps a roundhouse.
There are several books available from various sources that will give you ideas on how to design a support frame structure including what percent grade is applicable to an 8 x 4 space. You may be interested in HOn3 scale which allows for a great deal of building ideas. You can use 15" to 18" radiuses and have up to 6% grades. In some cases you may go as low as 12" radiuses depending on the type of locomotive you choose.
The choice is yours as which scale you decide to operate with. The problem with HOn3 is that the engines that have been built over the years do not run very well. If the engines have been reworked with can motors and new gearboxes then they should run very well. I have had several HOn3 locomotives from various importers. The best were the Westside engines in particular the C-16, K-27, K-28, and K-36. The other types had serious mechanical problems.
If you want to stay with the standard HO that is not a problem. Go to your local hobby store and find specific softback books on the construction of small railroads. You can always run a point-to-point railroad along a wall with a wye at one end and a turntables at the other to turn you engines. The point is to determine what area is available and what is the best means to utilize the space. I strongly recommend that you purchase soft covered books from your hobby store on railroad construction and the use of space. Belonging to a model railroad club would be a great deal of help as would having a friend who is a seasoned model railroader. You need to ask questions particularly the hobby shop personnel. They will know who is in the hobby and would be willing to help you. You may have the opportunity to work on a layout and learn some of the ticks of the trade so to speak. Another alternative is to check at your work and see if the company sponsors a model railroad club.
Once you begin to build your model railroad it becomes infectious and you don't want to leave it alone. You may change it several times and fine better ways to create the railroad that you dream about. Perhaps more space becomes available which allows you to increase your empire. A friend may come by to help you from time to time as you become more aware of those who have like interests. The sky is the limit in this hobby. I have been dabbling in this hobby for 59 years and am still not board. There are so many new innovations today because of the great advances that have been made in the electronics industry, art materials, glues, scenic materials made from new fiber materials, plastics, materials for making hills, mountains and valleys. It is almost endless as the imagination of man moves forward with greater ideas. As in many new things the spinoffs cover a vast area of interests and needs with model railroading being no exception.
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