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Building A Custom Layout
Nathan has a question for readers:
“I was wanting to hear ideas for a custom HO layout. I am kinda new to this. The size doesn’t matter unless it’s bigger than 150 sq ft. I only have cheap set locos but I have got 10 of them. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.”
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4 Responses to Building A Custom Layout
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start with a 4′ x 8′ layout to learn the trade.
Make a list stating to yourself what you like, and what you either don’t like or don’t care about. For example, why are you building a layout in the first place? Do you like to have trains run in a continuous run, do you like to make trains operate like real ones with switching various industries, do you like building scenery, do you like building train cars…. the answer to this will get you started. Then you have many options, particularly on the internet, of sources of information for the various stages of building.
A 4 x 8 is a simple layout, but I might guess that before you’re “done” with it, you will have learned so much about making the thing you’ll wish you could start it over. Perhaps you could start even smaller, just to get going. Laying track is not easy to do well. It is easy to do poorly. Mabye a 4′ x 2′, or even 8′ x 2′ point-to-point layout will quickly teach you (actually, you teach yourself) the various construction skills, and the various things to be aware of. Maybe this first portion is purposely made to be disposable, track and all. 4′ x 2′, one track down the center, a turnout or two with insulated branch tracks will teach you a lot about successful track laying, wiring, soldering feeders to rails, insulating sections of track and providing a small control panel for the turnouts and siding on/off switches. The scenery portion can be used to try out whatever type of scenery you think you want on the big layout, whether flat, mountainous, lakes, streams, city, or industry.
Best wishes with this. Remember, its just a hobby. As long as you’re getting fulfillment from what you do, it’s fine. Very fine!
As previous replies stated, start with a 4×8 (unless you do not have room to access both sides of the layout at once meaning you need to have a space of about 8 by 10 minimum for a 4 by 8 layout. Drawing out what the layout will look like in the room will help) and also make sure you include as much of what you want as you can. If the layout is boring to you, then it is counter intuitive to making the hobby interesting.
Now for my addition onto what has been said:
Start simple, keep it real. In other words, keep the track arrangement simple, but learn what you can from prototypes and make it real. Believe me, you’ll get satisfaction taking the simple model and elevating it to a higher standard.
Stay practical. What I mean is that don’t get too crazy with ideas. A 4×8 is a practical layout, but only when given enough space. If the space needed for the layout will be shared with other hobbies or even with an extra person in the bedroom, I highly caution against building a layout that eats floor space and I would personally go with a shelf design.
Give yourself clearance. The track is not as thin as it looks. In HO scale, I try to keep my tracks at least 3 inches from the edge of the layout, preferably 4-6″ average. Should a derailment occur, I won’t have a train plummeting to the floor and breaking. That also means that when building the framework for the layout, be sure to take into account the extra space needed to keep the trains safely on the layout.
Don’t have large amounts of time? go modular! My latest project layout will be built in sections for two reasons, 1) this allows me to finish one section completely before deciding to continue on. 2) If I ever move, which I know I will at some point in the near future, I can rent a U-haul and the layout can go anywhere with little trouble. 3) Since I move around, I find myself in a variety of places. The great part about modular layouts is that you can take away, or add on with little frustration or thought. Simply set up the modules you want to run, and you have a layout! 4) I can change the layout’s appearance or track plan if I want to, anytime I want. That keeps it interesting longer os you get your time and money’s worth out of a layout before moving on.
I also recommend building a layout, then collect locomotives and rolling stock that meet your needs. In HO scale, price isn’t a big issue, but in larger scales, locomotives can go for over $1000 easily. So if you ever find yourself stuck with a choice of expensive equipment, I would rather og for what I need and not just what strikes my fancy.
Some other things to consider:
Be sure your space is clean, and is ready to have a layout. If you are going to stand a lot, install carpet or at least have an area rug. I would also make sure to have adequate lighting, and nothing on the ceiling or walls that distracts from the layout meaning that you should have a neutral coat of paint on the walls and a finished ceiling. This keeps the room enjoyable to be in and keeps the layout clean. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to see a perfectly good layout, but the lighting, the walls, the ceiling, or the amount of dirt in the room just distracted from the layout and brought the enjoyment level down.
Have a place to store your extra equipment, tools, paints, paper, anything else you need. If possible, I would use a different room as a workbench just to keep the clutter out of the layout room. A garage, attic, or even a large closet works well for a workbench space. Just because we hoard trains doesn’t mean we have to look like it right? ; )
Finally, have fun! Don’t get frustrated or confused, unless you can’t help it. Model railroading can get to be like golf in that if you don’t control your stress level it looses it’s real value. So get out and have fun, enjoy building the layout, take pictures, start a blog or website, or even take part or all of the layout to train shows to get fresh air, meet new people and discover new things.
Thank you,
–James
Nathan, I will defer to the other posters on many points, depending on just how new to the model railroad hobby, or similar hobbies. If you are really new, you won’t know what questions to ask your self, or have enough experience to know what you enjoy or hate.
Few people ever finish their “wonderful” layout. Most of us build several before settling on one we really like, and even then we say, “Next time I will…….. and not……..”
Each layout is the result of what you learned from the old ones, and what you would like to do this time.
While you don’t need to be an expert Woodworker, Electrical worker, Track layer, Backdrop painter, Structure builder, Engine repairer, Coupler expert, Wheel/truck fixer, and on, and on, but you can get the point, “You need to know a little bit of a lot of things to successfully build a good, working , layout.”
I always recommend that a person lay some track and run some trains, because that is what the hobby is really about, everything else is used to enhance your interest, and satisfaction, in the hobby. And read some articles or blogs to see what is available out there.
Almost everyone has there own idea of what a layout should be, so we will each tell you what WE like. I have had model trains since age five, and as an adult since 1960, and never really built a ‘complete’ layout. At age 74 I still like to see trains run. I never learned to uncouple and move cars to industries, although like someone said, that is what real railroads do. In retirement I bought a few of my favorite engines, UP Big Boy, SP Daylight, SF PA & PB war bonnet, CB&Q Pioneer Zephyr.
SO, I recommend that you build a small oval layout, assemble a structure kit, try to wire in a passing siding, a stub siding, try to ballast a foot of track, add scenery to a portion, try making your own ground cover and trees. Everything you try will be knowledge and skills you will use from then on.
Glen Wasson aka Armchair armchairmodelbuilders101.com