HO shelf layout...need advice

[shortliner]

Brakie - this is prototype and would make a great model as a round-the-room, U- shape, 12"-wide shelf
http://www.docwightman.com/railroad/btrr/walkingtour/walkingtour.html
If there isn't enough switching for your needs, you could always "add" a few on-line customers - there is enough suitable industry available. It has interchange track too. The whole route can be seen on Terraserver in photos and maps. If you want more info - I can point you to some pics and info
Shortliner(Jack)away up here in the Highlands

 

[Ralph]

Real nice example of what can be done in small space Jetrock! Very illustrative for this thread!

cpr boy, you're getting some good advice here. I wonder if you'll want to hide one of the tracks in the back inside a building to serve as a staging track so your freight cars appear to come from "off layout"?

Ralph

 

[cpr_boy]

Thank you all for your suggestions, but I've decide to build a small 2x4 N scale module. Once I have more room, I'll try my hand in HO.

 

[green_elite_cab]

You know what would work out for you? there is a book called 6 HO Layouts You Can Build from kalmbach. there are 2 very nice modules in there for HO that can have the kinds of stuff you want on it.

one is a fictional conrail junction with a shortline, which is basicly a diorama meant to be connected to other modules. you won't be able to run much, but it does looke nice.

the other one is a port layout. you won't be able to run the bigger engines much, but you can switch modern freight cars with a small locomotive like a GE 44 tonner ( the black one with orange stripes in Jetrock's last photo on the first page) as they do in the book, or slightly larger switchers like a GP-7.

the book also has alot of other suggestions in other parts of it, and i'm telling you its worth it.

is there any particular area you want to model?