My Desktop Layout
- Thread starter jesso
- Start date
Thanks! It fits inside of a 2x4 rectangle. At its narrowest points, (in the middle) it is only 20" wide. (The depth of my desk) I used Kato track and it is completely 9 3/4 radius track. The full turns are 45 degree pieces while the s-curves where made with 15 degree pieces (although 30 would have worked) Even though it is tight and has four s-curves I had never had any problems running anything that I own on it. I have had SD70Mac's and auto-max's and double-stack containers running on it, although now I main run either my gp38-2 or GP20's on it.
A very interesting thread! I really like how "complete" a layout you were able to get into that space. By happenstance, today I finally cleared off the credenza in my home office space, and upon reading this thread the idea popped into my head -- "credenza-top layout?"
The open space is 14" x 30". Since I model primarily in HO, I thought it would be neat to have a bit of my equipment in here - maybe an SW-1 or H16-44 and strictly 40' freight cars. Obviously we're talking a switching "layout". I've thought about starting with a "main line" diagonally across the credenza top to optimize the use of the very small space. #4 turnouts would have to be the order of the day. I've been looking at some of the amazing compression people have accomplished starting with the Timesaver and Inglenook plans. Any and all ideas welcome!
The open space is 14" x 30". Since I model primarily in HO, I thought it would be neat to have a bit of my equipment in here - maybe an SW-1 or H16-44 and strictly 40' freight cars. Obviously we're talking a switching "layout". I've thought about starting with a "main line" diagonally across the credenza top to optimize the use of the very small space. #4 turnouts would have to be the order of the day. I've been looking at some of the amazing compression people have accomplished starting with the Timesaver and Inglenook plans. Any and all ideas welcome!
RonP
Member of the WMRC
It has been a long time since I built that layout! In fact, I am working on a new track plan that can have a longer run in the same 2x4 area, but still have room for the two monitors sitting on it.
riverotter, Here is a website with Micro layouts Micro/Small Layouts for Model Railroads. I can't think of what to do in that size, especially in HO. I hope someone can help you come up with a good plan.
riverotter, Here is a website with Micro layouts Micro/Small Layouts for Model Railroads. I can't think of what to do in that size, especially in HO. I hope someone can help you come up with a good plan.
I would be willing to bet that the recent interest in this thread was directly related to McGillicutty's thread about signature stuff.
That's exactly why I have all of my layouts in my signature as well. Every once in a while I get a hit and I'm fairly certain it's because somebody clicked there from my signature. Otherwise the thread dies to never be seen again unless somebody does a search and pulls up a keyword.
And that is why I copied you and put all of my layouts in my signature. Copying (or plagiarism
) is the sincerest form of flattery. Now if I could just copy you on your ability to build nice layouts. 
I am about to start work on a new module and a layout to replace the one in this thread, hopefully I have learned something over the past couple of years.
riverotter, I was looking through that micro layout site and they had one layout that was 12 x 36. It had a slip switch in the middle. One of our train guys put a slip switch in on his layout and it is pretty fun to sit there and try and figure out which way the train is going to go through it and back. You might want to check that out.
) is the sincerest form of flattery. Now if I could just copy you on your ability to build nice layouts. I am about to start work on a new module and a layout to replace the one in this thread, hopefully I have learned something over the past couple of years.riverotter, I was looking through that micro layout site and they had one layout that was 12 x 36. It had a slip switch in the middle. One of our train guys put a slip switch in on his layout and it is pretty fun to sit there and try and figure out which way the train is going to go through it and back. You might want to check that out.