shivi

Hi all. I've just returned to model railroading and developed an urge to create my own logging Empire! How ever I'm struggling with workable plans & ideas for my available layout area which is 11'6" x 7'6" in a garden shed with a door that opens outwards. My scale of preference is 0n3 and duckunders are not a problem as far as I'm concerend. The idea of a continious run appeals [let those Shays stretch their legs!] and storage sidings are a must. Any ideas guys?

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internal doors

Gene Howe

Wish I could help. I just found myself in possession of about 100 pieces of rolling stock (HO gauge) with quite a few buildings, several controllers and a few pieces of track.

All of the rolling stock is fairly modern but, I really lust after the 50's and earlier styles of locomotives and cars.

I'm in the same pickle as you. Except, I have no idea of where to even begin to just thinking about a layout.

Plus, I've never worked with HO and the wiring seems a little daunting without the third rail I remember as a kid. (I'm 68 y.o.!)

Gene

vuefromidwest

I think that if it were me... I would start with a stack of paper, lay out the available space...decide what industries I wanted my railroad to serve, how many towns I wanted, and just start drawing in track.... It will be a lot easier to move Hogwallow MO twenty miles down the road, on paper, than on a trainboard....
After that...I would put sheets of plywood on sawhorses, cover that in brown wrapping paper, and draw it in full scale....Again just in case you discover that Wingnut Industries wasn't in Hogwallow, it was over in Dead Creek.
Once you have everything drawn in.. you can use the brown paper as a blueprint for building the layout..

Just a thought...

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" Some people have a shop so they can make things, the rest of us make things so we can have a shop"

James Austin

rrich

Gene,
Wiring HO is just like 027 or '0' gage with only a slight difference. When you're building frogs, the rails can't touch. The non driving wheels must be insulated from each other.

Other than these differences there is nothing to worry about. (HO is DC and third rail is AC but that is in the controllers.)

Obviously you'll have the track segmented into various power sections. I would build the power wiring using 12 gage Romex under the layout and solder a few connections to the rails from underneath. Then connecting it all to your power source and switching panel is easy. Just remember that you have to use double pole switches for track control and direction control.

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Use the right tool for the job.

Rich (Tilting right)
Huntington Beach, California
Remember that when we have the "BIG ONE" everything east of the Rockies falls into the ocean.

wicker

hello
very nice posting by you and i am totally agreed with you

Gene Howe

Thanks for the info, rrich. I'm saving your post for reference.
Gene

jkristia

There is one model railroad forum I read almost daily which I would suggest you take a look at, they have a pretty active section for On30. the link is www.railroad-line.com
Of course there are many other RR forums out there, but this one is one of my favorites.

Jesper

woodman42

Cool! I didn't know there were this many model railroaders here. I would really love to get back into it.

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Did you say tool sale?

kitchen

hello..

Thank you for sharing..really informative information..

gjhzyy

Oh,I get a lot from here.
Thank you.