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9 Responses to Layout Space 12′ x 11′
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I’ll give you a couple of Pros for the idea of using the 11’x 12′ for the ‘HO’ material that you already have:
A) You already have ” a ton of stuff ” of ‘HO’ material so you don’t have to go out and buy a lot of materials for ‘HO’.
B) I have seen some nice track plans that fit well on a 4’x 8′ table. Do yourself a favor and research track plans that you find interesting and take the best features and combine them into a layout that would fit the 11’x 12′ area. I would recommend a “horseshoe” or a “G” shaped layout, that way you can have at least three separate scenes for variety to create. And in case of train derailments, you could reach over scenery well enough to re-rail your trains.
Now if you want a LARGE Railroad Empire:
A) You could sell off your ” ton of ‘HO’ stuff ” or possible trade it for ‘N’ scale material of equal value.
B) As above you could make the layout as a “horseshoe”, a “G” or as my choice would be, an “M” shaped layout. The major advantage with ‘N’ scale is that you could lay more track for a more varied layout. But there are disadvantages with ‘N’ scale trains and that is generally pre-made structures are harder to find unless you are good at making your own from scratch and ‘N’ scale material generally cost more.
On a 11’x 12′ layout you could use ‘DCC’ to good advantage for either ‘HO’ or ‘N’ scales.
I have “o” guage layout 8 ft by 15 feet. running 5 trains. wonder about the possibility and cost to change from standard seperate track section and transformers to a DC or DCC system even If I have to do the change in bits and pieces because of the prohibitive cost. Any thoughts ? Thank you very much. Really enjoy your siteand ideas. Ferdinand
I have 3, 4′ x 8′ layouts, laid in a “U’ shape in a spare bedroom, with an extension across one end that takes up the old closet space. This allows for accessibility to the trains. Using HO, I have a coal mining operation, blast furnace, rolling mill, power plant, turntable, graduating to small businesses like tire/maintenance shops, graduating to lumber yard, old hotel, gas station, restaurant, etc.
Then on the upper “U”, it’s split into an old town in the back and newer part of town towards the front. That graduates to a bus station, train depot, farm, etc. I even have a mountain in a back corner, complete with waterfall, fishing/camping. On the last 8′ section, I’m putting in a community lake with park/gazebo, small fair, and drive-in theater.
The track runs in front of the coal mine & power stations, then splits to run behind, thru the middle, and in front of the blast furnace/rolling mill. The back track extends past the small businesses, old town, farm, curving around to front the farm and split between hotel/restaurants and new town. If I could attach pics, the layout would be better understood. Guess the moral here is that you can get a lot of buildings/track with the right planning, using your HO. Mark off the space, set down track sections (you don’t have to formally hook it up), move it around – play with it!
If ou have a lot of HO stuff, you should go with that. You can build much on 11X12, as long as it’s done slowly and carefully. If you decide to go with N-Scale, remember that that size is HUGE for N, and make sure the scenery does not “take over” the model trains so much that the trains are not readily visible.
Whatever you choose, best of luck.
12′ X 11′
That is the size of the bedroom I am building my “0” Gauge layout in. My layout is 4′ X 10 ‘ and it is great–have an inner loop for running two trains and 6 Ross switches. If down the road I want to expand it—I can go to an “L” shape. I tried HO—and the frustration level was too high for me (Big Hands) Good luck.
You need to define what your vision is for the final product….a switching layout serving several industries, running trains, yard operations, etc. This may change as you spend time operating so you want to build in flexibility. I would recommend “8 Realistic Track Plans for a Spare Room” by Lance Mindheim as a good starting place….Using around the walls benchwork of a step-into layout will maximize the available space and allow easy modifications for things you might want to include.
I run a Canadian Shortline in just over your space constraints in HO and the room still has to be used as a spare bedroom (sofa folds out into a double bed). The majority of the model is only 12 inches deep but I have fiddle yard (storage) for 13 trains of up to 6 feet in length underneath the main station area. The model therefore effectively runs from the main station area down a slope to a second town on the opposing wall before disappearing underneath to a reversing loop and the storage area, Loads of fun and huge scope for operating. The only disadvantage is there is no continuous loop with this design so you cannot just sit and watch them roll by.
If you were canny with automatic circuits I suppose you could put a second reversing loop above the first to effectively get a continuous run with automatic changing of polarity (I run DC).
Have fun
Go with H.O. It’s what you have and you don’t need to scrap that inventory and start over. I model in O scale and have a club to run at, but I’ve designed layouts to fit in a room that’s 11’8×12′ that would be functional if I decided to build one for the house. Small space isn’t a brick wall to having a layout — it’s a challenge that you overcome with imagination end enginuity.
Look at other people’s layouts on websites and at exhibitions. Look at what can be done in the available area in each of the scales.
Begin by sketching (on paper or graphics program ) your ideas and plans, considering what aspects of a layout you are interested in and want to include.
For example, do you want scenery, towns, buildings, industrial, freight, mining, mountains, rivers, lakes, bridges, etc.
Can anyone recommend any free track planning software that would be helpful in visualising the possibilities of a layout according to the area available ?