@MainLine Steam posted:One of the reason I started this Thread was to find out if 2R Home Layouts (not shelf switching layouts) are practical without needing a huge space.
Why the distinction between "home layout" & "shelf switching layout"..??? They are all model railroad layouts, aren't they? Or is it to do with the mindset promoted in the smaller scales that only multi-level basement empires are "proper" layouts worthy of the name?
My 2-rail O layout is 17ft x 8ft, modern Era Short Line (plus my Soo Line stuff which is my other interest) It's a roundy-roundy with 36" radius curves, #6 switches, and train lengths of 5 to 7 cars. A well designed shelf switcher can be as absorbing to run as a 'large' layout - read the blog & books of Lance Mindheim for more information.
My layout is also in England, UK (like me!!) where 2-rail O scale is currently booming, despite the fact our houses are on average much smaller than those in the USA. Perhaps our ready acceptance of Shelf Switcher layouts and their limitations is part of that boom, rather than slowly dying out as 2-rail O seems to be doing on your side of The Pond?
