Mar 20, 2010 our 15th project railroad has a number of differences from our previous model railroad layouts. How to operate a modern era switching layout lance mindheim on. The second track idea plan is a river port, too, but now with a river lock on the upper left as an appealing detail of this model railroad layout. This was from a suggestion by ctxmf74 for a multitrack mainline. A very compact 46 x 5 x 32,5 cm example of this type of british shelf layout is dennis beales raikes street an article on this layout appeared in the january 1995 issue of railway modeller, which differs from other shelf layout settings by featuring a moveable piece of track concealed within a factory building which. Track plans includes layout plans for n, nn3, ho, hon2. Central metro terminal rr 10x6 feet 10x6, l shaped, ho scale a switching layout in a spare room or in the corner of a garage. The story features an ho scale track plan, the fall creek branch. Custom built model railroads ranging from partial builds for you to finish yourself to fully complete layouts with scenery and structures. Photos are displayed in chronological order form top to bottom. This plan presents a number of interesting shunting movements to the operator, and is best suited to those who prefer lots of operating action rather than simply watching trains. Small and medium sized, affordable model railroad track plans. Trains can enter the layout from staging and exist the layout to staging. I like the size of ho for modeling industries and small towns.
Ho scale shelf layout depicting a junction in the adirondacks division of new york central. Johns version was called a timesaver, and it has been duplicated in literally hundreds of layouts over the past 30 years. Only a few can handle medium and smaller locomotives. Shelf layout for ho switching railway for narrow spaces. Does have both passenger and freight operating potential could be up and running in a short time best served as a display layout for rolling stock and locomotives. Another simple shelf style switching layout, you can design this set of tracks over bookcases, a desk, or workbench in the corner of any room. The recently late steinjr has a plethora, nay, cornucopia of ho shelf layout designs on his gallery that fit in 182 x 612 spaces. Ideas for unique layout concepts model railroad academy. This model plan is perfect for an apartment, college dorm, or as a switching game for kids and adults. This small n scale layout is an industry scenery too, but it is even smaller then my other industry track plan idea. Background buildings were used along the main wall. Ideas for a scenic ho shelf switching layout model railroader magazine 2 by 12 ho. Jul 24, 2014 i am working on a ho scale switching layout to fit on an in place shelf in my home office. Thats what happens on the serendipity switching line, a shelf layout with two extensions or cassettes, if you wish.
The m t penn railroad ho model train shelf layout part 1 about. That layout was made as short as possible so as to be easily transported in the back seat of a car. Another simple shelfstyle switching layout, you can design this set of tracks over bookcases, a desk, or workbench in the corner of any room. Bonus track plans for a small shelf switching model. It gives the opportunity to run trains where there is little space. Ho shelf switching track plans plans diy how to make. Mark, dan, james and stephen are getting things done. The planning phase is turning out to be more difficult the second time around. Aug 09, 2016 then when i sold all of my ho models and switched full time to sscale 164th, i decided to convert the back wall of my garage for my next venture.
As you can see below, the track plan is very simple. I am working on an n scale waterfront freight terminal switching layout. But take a closer look, the biggest change isnt immediately obvious. Discover the different train track layouts you can use in an ho scale that range from elaborate mountain passes to industrial scenes. Model railroad design service using cutting edge cad programs. How to make a simple shunting switching model railway layout part three operating potential lots of locos and rolling stock running on my micro layout ka. Hello, since 2 years ago, i have started the building of a shelf switching layout. The setting is an industrial district on the edge of downtown, where real estate and trackage are crowded together. Continuous running just isnt practical in ho scale on a 2 x 8 foot layout.
Although the fever both literal and model railroading passed, the concepts of the switchmans nightmare layout stayed with me. The other project railroads were given away each year, we plan to keep this one at least for a few years. Build the gateway central xv ho scale switching railroad. Oct 21, 2019 measuring 96 by 4 with the shelf width at 22 inches, this highly realistic switching layout contains only two switches and six industries that provide hours of switching fun. Switching layout planning suggestions needed model railroader magazine. Great finished switching layout modeller james mcnabb has built an excellent modernday hoscale layout with his grimes line. A simple ho scale shelf layout with lots of operations. Based on a reallife railroad, the alameda belt line, the design could also be built as a fixed layout in n or ho scale. Each gallery to ampere lower grade has one shelf design options or more track plans for ho trains. Sweden, designed his ho shelf switcher to represent a small seaside town in. Books ive written on design, construction, operations, and track plans. A minimumsize shelf switching layout, with seven industries in a space 4 feet long and only 6 inches wide.
Ho shelf plan train layouts bing images n scale trains, ho trains, model. Factory town ho scale model railroad track plan building a. Hi, just thought id post a couple of pics of my new small ho switching layout, csx transflo, ny. The layout is 9 ft x 25 inches pretty small for a ho layout and should fit in any average household. Be sure to check out all the pictures as well as the other railroads on his website. Jul 19, 2011 running trains so close to the edge of a layout is not recommended because a derailment could actually send a train over the edge and onto the floor. Yesterday, my friend stephen gardiner organized a work session for liberty village his ho scale shelf layout that models a section of a onetime industrial neighbourhood in downtown toronto clockwise from left. This simple ho scale model railroad depicts the port of brunswick rr in georgia. If youre in need of a plan, feel free to contact me.
So i have offered to more than eighty other modelers and had a great time developing track plans for them, many of which are included in my gallery on this website. This switching layout is bent around a corner, so it only takes up 5 square feet. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. In case you missed our previous installment on track configurations, make sure to go back and check out that post for handy diagrams of common configurations. Model railroad author robert pethoud wrote how to operate a small switching layout in the march 2016 issue of model railroader magazine. Jun 07, 2017 how to make a simple shunting switching model railway layout part three operating potential lots of locos and rolling stock running on my micro layout ka. This layout proves that good things can come in small packages. Still testing track continuity before finalizing scenery nyc s4 bachman propels boxcars in the background baldwin sms lines bowser drags a rake in the foreground. Heres an industrial switching layout that i designed for the model rail radio podcast as an example of what can be done in o scale on a shelf style layout. The three track staging caddie and the single track caddie allow the layout to operate prophetically.
I came up with the following design using unitrack for three 4 x 1 sections 12 overall length that includes a doubletrack mainline with one station, a branch line, a small freight yard and a set of staging tracks to feed trains in and out. I will be using kato ho unitrack as that is what i already have available. This track plan and parts list guides you on building a home switching layout, or a switching extension for your existing home layout. A ho scale model train layout plan, with faller car system roadways.
Achievable layouts a gallery of manageable model railway. Mar 24, 2020 a collection of ho scale track plans for shelf layout and modular use. This gallery contains 250 creative micro layout designs from all over the world. I hope you find some ideas that you can put to good use. My new space wouldnt allow a reasonable dogbone curve for continuous running, so i designed a 2 by 18 shelftype pointtopoint industrial switching layout. N scale switching layout folds to store in 1x3 this neat little shelf switching layout was published in model railroad planning 2005. As i like the harbour topic on model railroad layouts, also see this shelf layout with a harbor scenery on a much smaller space. But if you just want a switching shunting puzzle, this site should help. How to make a simple shunting switching model railway. The late, great carl arendts micro layout design site should have something. In this post, well talk about establishing a theme that makes sense for your layout, using my own as an example. New ho industrial shelf switching layout model railroad. Dcc this layout is designed for both switching operations and continuous running. The space is 84 long and 18 deep i could go out to 24.
Additional storage and staging will be located in the closet. Bonus track plans for a small shelf switching model railroad. Switching layout o gauge railroading on line forum. I also publish exciting new designs and photos of small layouts every month in the small layout scrapbook, which is featured and archived on this site. His lower montauk branch of the long island railroad occupies about 14 x 19 not counting a 16foot peninsula that is 18 inches wide. A brief introduction and tour of my shelf switching layout. See more ideas about model railway track plans, model train layouts and train layouts. Yep, ive added a third track the full length of the layout. A supplement to model railroader magazine 618247 layouts for squarefoot spaces and larger designs provide minimum radius and turnout information all track plans include a scale grid for construction reference plans for standard and narrow gauge layouts. Ideas for a scenic ho shelf switching layout model railroader magazine 2 by 12 ho train layouts it has been said that collecting classic toy trains in the worlds greatest hobby.
Sep 26, 2008 although the fever both literal and model railroading passed, the concepts of the switchmans nightmare layout stayed with me. With the track layout and storage capacities indicated above, it is easy to determine the length of a timesaver layout in any modelling scale you just measure the longest item to be used on the layout and multiply this with the storage capacity index of the individual sidings e. In that limited space, you still get 6 industries and interchange. Ho scale shelf layouts the following layouts are designed for shelves and other narrow spaces. The next installment in our ongoing series on planning and building a model railroad layout is all about layout themes. An alternative history breathes new life into a manitoba branch line. How to operate a modern era switching layout lance mindheim on amazon.
As there is an opportunity for change i have decided not to reassemble layout mark i and to build a ho scale shelf switching layout better, not bigger, than before. Martin has built one of the best operating layouts for a small space. This layout is designed for both switching operations and continuous running. In that article robert shows how to use three 15 x 48 modules to create an operationally interesting shelf layout. Jan 03, 2011 ho switching layout for 12 x 18 shelf posted by rcru on monday, january 3, 2011 2. Prorailroaders multideck ho design uses spirals and loops to climb through four tiers with no multiturn helix. Though hoscale track plans for shelf layouts are narrow, they dont have to be small, as proven by nick kalis. Written evaluation of your own designs or construction issues. Really like some of the examples i have seen in lance mindheims books i have 2 of these. This month registered users can download two additional bonus shelf layout track plans.
The whole layout is broken down in 3 equal sections of 36 inches x 25 inches, plus you would need a staging zone, possibly with sector plates. I am working on a ho scale switching layout to fit on an in place shelf in my home office. I realized this small shelf layout some years ago in n scale. As the name implies, it is a narrower style of bench work that is generally mounted tight against the wall or on shelf brackets.
Apr 29, 2020 explore andrewvanlaars board ho shelf layouts, followed by. This compact n scale layout offers switching opportunities, interchange. Byron has some ho switching layouts for unusual spaces in his design gallery. Ho switching layout for 12 x 18 shelf posted by rcru on monday, january 3, 2011 2. This is why other posters have assumed you will be constructing a switchingtype layout without continuous running. A small shelf layout an urban model railroad neednt take up a lot of space. This is why other posters have assumed you will be constructing a switching type layout without continuous running.
Mar 15, 2010 this is the home version of the gateway central xv ho scale switching model railroad. The siding with the rerailer is the interchange track plan name. Assigning a theme for your model railroad layout model. The track plan provides an abundance of realistic switching action in a minimum amount. The ho scale falls creek shelf layout was featured in the march 2016 model railroader. I did build a small g scale layout in my garage, but i want to start planning for a new ho layout in a spare bedroom. See more ideas about model railway track plans, model train layouts and model trains. Its the largest collection of its kind in existence.
Designing small shelf layouts for operating fun amherst railway. Our 15th project railroad has a number of differences from our previous model railroad layouts. A capacity crowd dan garcia, james rasor and mark zagrodney were also on hand tackled wiring and tracklaying. A step by step guide to designing the most versatile of all model railroad types. Building a small oscale switching layout ho trains, model trains, ho train. Brett a great small layout you can model andrews trains. The other project railroads had a loop in the plan so the trains could go round and round, this one is purely a switching layout and doesnt have a continuous running option. Introduction when you travel for business, you can spend a lot of time staring at the walls of your hotel room. Switching layout ho scale for kids small n gauge layouts home.
While travelling in june of 2014 i came across martin hoggs youtube channel and his switching layout brett. The following layouts are designed for shelves and other narrow spaces. This 18 inch by 6 foot layout offers intriguing switching scenarios. See more ideas about model railway track plans, model trains and model train layouts. As i learned more about multispot industries and prototypical operations, i began to see possibilities for more complexity and interest in westcotts compact shelf switching layout.