With three loops around a 12 x 12 foot room, this layout has a lot more operating potential than just watching three trains run at once.
Layout at a Glance
Construction
This layout is built on a continuous 2 foot wide platform around all four sides of a 12x12 foot room. The center is open for other activities.
This plan would lend itself well to modular construction. Building multiple free-standing modules two feet wide by four to eight feet in length would allow the railroad to be taken apart and moved easily. This set up would work well for installation in a larger room or for traveling to public shows - or just in case you foresee a move.
The benchwork could be anchored to the walls to reduce the number of support legs. Open grid or L Girder benchwork could both be used.
The yards and junctions will force a relatively level platform. Elevations could be suggested with scenery above or below the track level.
Backdrops could be attached to the walls. A backdrop could also be built on the platform to divide the two yard sections to further separate the staging yards. If the layout is built to travel for public exhibition, then backdrops on the inside of the platform would also be an option.
Accessing the center of the room or platform could be a simple duck under at one spot. You could also go a step further and install a swing bridge, lift out or lift bridge.
Ideally this movable section would not be under one of the yards.
Track
This trackplan is designed around  a mix of standard track sections and switches and flex track. Sectional track helps ensure a consistent minimum radius and could use up some sections of track you may already have from previous layouts.
A little trimming may be necessary on a few pieces for the best alignment. Use a pair of rail nippers to trim sections if needed. You could also substitute flex track for most of the track sections on the layout. With the large number of small sections required, you may find the flex track not only more efficient but less expensive as well.
The turnouts used in this plan are mostly standard No. 6 left and right switches. One No. 4 is used in the yard for a pair of stub-ended tracks which could be used to hold extra locomotives.
To build the layout as shown, here are the pieces you'll need:
There is room to add additional stub sidings elsewhere around the layout if desired for more switching.
Scenery and Structures
With a high ratio of track to platform space, and especially if you build for modules, a relatively level scenic base is ideal. How you finish this space is up to you. The focus of operations will be on the multiple level crossings of the different mainlines. Locations like this can be found in both rural and urban areas.
You could keep the scenery very simple and simply cover the platform in ground cover to model, for example, a set of junctions in the rural Midwest. Or you could add tall commercial and industrial buildings to create a bustling city center. For the latter there is room to add additional sidings to switch local industries and add even more operation.
The siding in town across from the station would be a prime spot for a team track where you could spot just about any type of car. The footprint for the station itself matches this small town station kit - an easy to build kit for a first layout.
Other buildings in town are squeezed between the ridge and the tracks - this is typical of small towns in the mining and logging areas. It was not uncommon for pedestrians and vehicles to share the road with a locomotive. There are lots of kits available for buildings like this.
Operations and Rolling Stock
The 22" radius curves will allow operation of most of the equipment available in HO, though long passenger cars, autoracks and intermodal equipment could pose problems.
You aren't limited to just watching the trains run in circles however. This railroad is designed for lots of operational options.
There are three continuous loops of track around the layout. Each loop crosses and connects with the others through crossover switches or short connecting tracks. This could be used to represent multiple railroads or multiple routes of the same company which come together at the junctions. Cars or whole trains could move from one road to another at these interchanges. This would allow a wide variety of equipment options.
The loops feed into a pair of yards. These yards (and the single track running around the outside) could be used as staging yards to hold multiple trains ready to run through the junctions.
One or both yards could also be used as a classification yard which where locomotives and cars are switched out, serviced, and new trains made. The yard toward the center of the layout has a pair of spurs at one end which could be developed into an engine facility and a spur at the other end for cabooses, maintenance of way, car shop, etc.
The loops are set up so that if you run continuously through the yards, you will pass through the junctions on different routes. This can be used to add interest for either continuous running or a prototype-based operating plan.
With DCC, wiring this layout for multi-train operation would be easy. Simple block control could also be used.
With any layout, spending a little extra time to ensure your track is laid well, and powering switch frogs will go a long way towards increasing your enjoyment. Uncoupling magnets on the sidings would also make switching easier.
Most switches are within easy reach so simple ground throws could be used. Powered switch machines would give you the ability to easily control all the movements from a central panel. Operating this railroad as a tower operator coordinating the movements of trains across the diamonds from different railroads would be a lot of fun.
This modest sized layout could easily entertain you for hours running a variety of trains. It could also keep a crew of 3 to 4 busy in a prototype-based operating plan and makes an excellent introduction into this type of model railroading.
Layout at a Glance
- Scale: HO
- Size:Â 12x12' (144x144")
- Minimum Curve:Â 22" radius
- Minimum Switch: No. 4
- Maximum Grade:Â 0%
Construction
This layout is built on a continuous 2 foot wide platform around all four sides of a 12x12 foot room. The center is open for other activities.
This plan would lend itself well to modular construction. Building multiple free-standing modules two feet wide by four to eight feet in length would allow the railroad to be taken apart and moved easily. This set up would work well for installation in a larger room or for traveling to public shows - or just in case you foresee a move.
The benchwork could be anchored to the walls to reduce the number of support legs. Open grid or L Girder benchwork could both be used.
The yards and junctions will force a relatively level platform. Elevations could be suggested with scenery above or below the track level.
Backdrops could be attached to the walls. A backdrop could also be built on the platform to divide the two yard sections to further separate the staging yards. If the layout is built to travel for public exhibition, then backdrops on the inside of the platform would also be an option.
Accessing the center of the room or platform could be a simple duck under at one spot. You could also go a step further and install a swing bridge, lift out or lift bridge.
Ideally this movable section would not be under one of the yards.
Track
This trackplan is designed around  a mix of standard track sections and switches and flex track. Sectional track helps ensure a consistent minimum radius and could use up some sections of track you may already have from previous layouts.
A little trimming may be necessary on a few pieces for the best alignment. Use a pair of rail nippers to trim sections if needed. You could also substitute flex track for most of the track sections on the layout. With the large number of small sections required, you may find the flex track not only more efficient but less expensive as well.
The turnouts used in this plan are mostly standard No. 6 left and right switches. One No. 4 is used in the yard for a pair of stub-ended tracks which could be used to hold extra locomotives.
To build the layout as shown, here are the pieces you'll need:
- 3' Flex Track - 41
- 22" Radius Curve - 31
- 22" Radius 1/3 Curve - 4
- No. 4 Switch - Left  - 1
- No. 6 Switch, Right - 11
- No. 6 Switch, Left - 9
- 25 Degree Crossing - 2
- 19 Degree Crossing - 1
- 9" Straight - 22
- 6" Straight - 3
- 3" Straight - 4
- 1.5" Straight - 2
- Bumper - 5
There is room to add additional stub sidings elsewhere around the layout if desired for more switching.
Scenery and Structures
With a high ratio of track to platform space, and especially if you build for modules, a relatively level scenic base is ideal. How you finish this space is up to you. The focus of operations will be on the multiple level crossings of the different mainlines. Locations like this can be found in both rural and urban areas.
You could keep the scenery very simple and simply cover the platform in ground cover to model, for example, a set of junctions in the rural Midwest. Or you could add tall commercial and industrial buildings to create a bustling city center. For the latter there is room to add additional sidings to switch local industries and add even more operation.
The siding in town across from the station would be a prime spot for a team track where you could spot just about any type of car. The footprint for the station itself matches this small town station kit - an easy to build kit for a first layout.
Other buildings in town are squeezed between the ridge and the tracks - this is typical of small towns in the mining and logging areas. It was not uncommon for pedestrians and vehicles to share the road with a locomotive. There are lots of kits available for buildings like this.
Operations and Rolling Stock
The 22" radius curves will allow operation of most of the equipment available in HO, though long passenger cars, autoracks and intermodal equipment could pose problems.
You aren't limited to just watching the trains run in circles however. This railroad is designed for lots of operational options.
There are three continuous loops of track around the layout. Each loop crosses and connects with the others through crossover switches or short connecting tracks. This could be used to represent multiple railroads or multiple routes of the same company which come together at the junctions. Cars or whole trains could move from one road to another at these interchanges. This would allow a wide variety of equipment options.
The loops feed into a pair of yards. These yards (and the single track running around the outside) could be used as staging yards to hold multiple trains ready to run through the junctions.
One or both yards could also be used as a classification yard which where locomotives and cars are switched out, serviced, and new trains made. The yard toward the center of the layout has a pair of spurs at one end which could be developed into an engine facility and a spur at the other end for cabooses, maintenance of way, car shop, etc.
The loops are set up so that if you run continuously through the yards, you will pass through the junctions on different routes. This can be used to add interest for either continuous running or a prototype-based operating plan.
With DCC, wiring this layout for multi-train operation would be easy. Simple block control could also be used.
With any layout, spending a little extra time to ensure your track is laid well, and powering switch frogs will go a long way towards increasing your enjoyment. Uncoupling magnets on the sidings would also make switching easier.
Most switches are within easy reach so simple ground throws could be used. Powered switch machines would give you the ability to easily control all the movements from a central panel. Operating this railroad as a tower operator coordinating the movements of trains across the diamonds from different railroads would be a lot of fun.
This modest sized layout could easily entertain you for hours running a variety of trains. It could also keep a crew of 3 to 4 busy in a prototype-based operating plan and makes an excellent introduction into this type of model railroading.
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