For a few more data points (or more confusion), the January 2013 edition of Model Railroader magazine has four 4 x 8 layout designs. Yes, they are in HO, but yet another approach to the space is to use an HO trackplan as is (as much as possible, that is) and take advantage of how much better HO-sized radii would look in N Scale. A friend of mine did this with an MR project layout some years ago and it looked great. And of course, track plan ideas aren't limited to one specific scale.
AHHHH! The best laid plans of mice and men... 48" is way to much. The actual room is 114" from top to bottom in the original drawing. Because of the base boards, which are huge in a 1920's home, I'm going to lose about 4 inches so I'm down to 110". When I subtract out the desk size of 30" in depth I'm left with 80". Subtract of the 48" for the table I'm left with 32". Split that in half to center the table for pleasurable viewing and I'm left with 16" on each side. That sucks. Not even doable. If I drop down to 32" in table depth I'm left with a 48" gap. Now if I center that up I have 24". A thought but guys (and gals) I could really use some help here!! Would 32" x 96" make sense? Again this is a layout for rail-fanning and photography. I'm not really a huge operations guy but I love the model building aspect and to watch. Thanks!
Nothing wrong 32x96. With a scenic divide down the middle, and it doesn't have to be a straight line, you have sixteen feet of rail fan run, averaging 16 inches deep. The length of the run, for what you want, is a greater factor than the depth.
I think we've finally agreed on 32x96 with the scene divided. One side of the middle section will be a logging industry and the other will be a coal mine. One end section will be an un-yet named town and the other end will be the same thing. One of the towns will have a trolley. There will be a siding for the logging industry and the mining. Each line will go to a different town which will have appropriate industry. I'm almost thinking of not having a scenic divide but having it be mountains. The benchwork will be modular as I've stated before and I'm trying to figure out those proportions now. I could do 30, 30 and 30 or 24,48 and 24 which is actually my inclination. The reason I'm thinking of it this way is so that the middle 48" section could entirely be mountain region. What do you guys think? The other question I had was does any one have wheels on their layout or a method to move it if they need too? Was thinking of furniture sliders under the adjustable feet?
What about building a 30 to 36 in shelf on the window wall and make it high enough to have the desks under it. It would only be a one sided layout, but it would probably give you the biggest layout size practical. Could always build step stools for the kids to see better......Mike
Mike, Are you thinking 30 to 36 inches deep? How would you ever reach the backside? Ben Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I'm a bit taller than most, but 30" is probably the max to do comfortably. You can always go a bit narrower in the middle. I made the mistake of doing mine at 36", and now its a pain to get to the backside. .....Mike
I wish I had the space you have. My wife bought me several "used" steam locomotives that have sat in boxes because of space and limited radius. Your problem is a good one.
If it's not too late I will throw my 2 cents in. I would do an around the room layout if I had that much space. Where the 2 doors are concerned I would put a lift out section for the attic and maybe for the entry door as well. You could have the entry door opened and put a duck under across it. You would probably want it to be a lift out for the occasion when you want to shut the door. Narrow up the layout where it goes over the desk. Maybe even put one desk along the wall where you have 54" and center the other one where you have both now. Double main line and trains running in opposite directions would blow the mind of a 3 year old.
Sounds good but whatever you do remember to build it modular. There is no such thing as a "permanent layout" that is an oxymoron just as "military intelligence" is. Build it so that some day either you [or someone else] can easily take it apart and move it without destroying it.
These are all great ideas but perhaps for future layouts. I've gone with a 34x96 table that is built in two 48 modules. I can always add on!!
