Is 17' x 15' Too Small For 2-Rail Scale

Mike,

No space is too small, and - - - -  No space is ever  big enough for what you want.    

You could build a nice switching layout in that space.    Or represent part of a branchline.

However, if you are not interested in operation,   You could do a single or double track loop.   I would stick with 54 or 60 inch radius so there is some straight track area to put in some switches and run some industrial siding into the corners.

Another option is a twice around folded figure 8.     You put a crossover (diamond) at one end and of the room and fold one of the loops of the 8 inside the other.    It can be scenicked as double track, but gives twice as much running room for one train.    

Jim Policastro did a 2-rail O scale layout in 12' x 6'6" -- continuous run. If switching is of interest, all you need is about 12'x3' for North American; about 8'x2'6" for European. I'm working on a design for a 10'x10' room right now (continuous, 40" radius curves).

It's perfect go for it.

Around the room layout for broad curves and an island interior for industry, town, engine facility etc,

My favorite track plan from years past was an HO design that was In Model Railroader called the Smuteye Central.  I always thought what a killer O scale layout it would make.  So here is what It might look like in your 15x17 space.  Russ

HO layout

O Scale 15x17

Opinion here - go for the biggest radius circle or oval that will fit your space, then double- track it, then pull a branch line off at any radius you want and create your switching yard, maybe on another level.

That's what I did - 14x28 - and the giant 17/64 scale 4-10-2s can actually run double-headed with 80 foot cars.  I still have plans for the yard, but no patience to sit and switch cars.  Best I can do is hold a Margarita and watch.

Mike.

Before I make a suggestion I would need two things.

1. Your age.

2. Your health status.

As good as some layouts plans look, if you had a bad back and can't duck under things or reach areas forget them. If your getting to the stage in your life where you want to make it easy for yourself or this layout is going to be the one for the rest of your life think about around the walls.

If your a fit young bloke and want to set the world on fire and build anything you like without the worry of age or health any plan would suit you.

My layout fits in a 28' X 28' room I could show you what would fit in your space by overlaying your space on my track plan if that helps.

Roo.

Wow wonderful information guys thanks.  I'm OK with ducking under for now. I  plan on building the layout at a higher bench height with custom displays below so I can look at my trains and have easy access to them.  Maybe in 10 years my wife will let me have more of the basement but I am not holding my breath.  My  concern is will a 60" radius allow for operation of larger steam locomotives or modern day locos?  I realize there are limitations and concessions in trying to do 2 rail O in such a small space.   Yes in the last few years my hands have gotten larger and eyesight worse I fully expect the trend to continue.  So maybe O is the way to go over S.  All of my kids will be off to college this fall and time to play in the train room. 

Here's a short and very poor quality video of my small loop,the loop is roughly 14' x 8' with a small cramped engine yard off in one corner,I have two hinged sections now,just inside the room door and one to access the window without ducking under,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTN9VM9m5QI

Thank you for the video it looks awesome!!

its a simple layout,before I got to where I am now,I just had a handful of 2 rail diesels,it was a follow up to my main 1/50 diecast hobby and love for miniature machines,fast forward to now,like was said above I wish I had more room,unfortunately in Ireland big spacious rooms are unheard of,I could have put more sidings or another loop inside the original loop but I wanted to leave room for future 1/50 based scenery/dio,I too would love to see other 2 rail layouts set up in tight spaces

Can I suggest you will soon get tired of ducking under. A lift up section is easily incorporated at the building stage.

cheers

 BobC

gbarnewall posted:

Here's a short and very poor quality video of my small loop,the loop is roughly 14' x 8' with a small cramped engine yard off in one corner,I have two hinged sections now,just inside the room door and one to access the window without ducking under,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTN9VM9m5QI

Nice work.

Bob Comerford posted:

Can I suggest you will soon get tired of ducking under. A lift up section is easily incorporated at the building stage.

cheers

 BobC

This is true. Lift outs or gates are fairly straight forward.

I bet that's a good feeling, Graham. 

 

I have plenty of rolling stock I can convert.

Well, hold off on that until you make some decisions regarding era and objectives - they may be better sold off to finance in part items that you would rather have later.

Operation is not that important to me.  Even in 3 rail I don't think I could do a lot of operating in this small space of 17' x 15' .  However, I would like a few sidings for industry etc.  What I like is realism and scenery.  I enjoy  watching prototypical engines and cars roll by.   Era is most anything 1940's to modern.  One problem I can see is I like passenger trains. 

Not a bad or a too small space; what constraints do you have in the room beyond a doorway?  All clear walls?  No water tank, furnace, electrical panel, laundry stuff, windows, etc.?  Around the perimeter would seem best to get the max radius for those pass cars post 1940 on main lines, but you also need to work with that entry way, and you also need to avoid making anything so deep that you can't reach realistically.  Height is also something to consider and stacking levels round and round with hidden returns might add extra interest and complexity.  Height also might gain you storage space and access ease, too.  If you go with a short line or branch line you can compress somewhat.

Does anyone have any track plans for a space such as this?

 

More information and a balancing of given's and druthers might seem in order before jumping into the water. 

Here's that little 6'6" x 12' layout I built that Matt mentioned.

...and an old fuzzy video of it:

Jim

Your space is more than adequate. I work in 11' x 17 ' and never felt I had a small space...get busy and enjoy the 2 Rail experience. Here's a photo of my mainline at 50" radius with a 46" radius runaround siding next to it.

Bob

Dear Mike,

First of all, welcome to 2 Rail O scale !!!!

I thought you might see what a layout 12'x 18' can produce in 2 Rail O scale.

When I designed this layout I had as Marty pointed out my" Givens and Druthers".

Givens- At 60 years of age I wanted to use as much off the shelf items as possible.

Prepping the room with proper lighting and other amenities before rather than after layout built.

No more hand laid track or measuring for grades-Atlas track and Woodland Scenics, Mianne benchwork.

Outside main westbound loop to run my trains and act as a" moving interchange track" as a portal to the outside world.

Inside eastbound main track to switch the inbound cars in the 6 industries and set off the outbound cars to the moving westbound moving interchange track.

Trains to peddler freight length- 6-9 cars. Locos 2 axle diesels or 2-8-0. Passenger- 2 cars or RDC /gas electric.

Detail, detail, detail the layout. That is what O scale is all about. O scale size trees, not the mamby- pamby commercial made ones- go outside and look what God has made!!

No turntables or yards-takes up lots of space- starts out as a nice idea until they are populated by locos that don't run and freight cars collecting dust-dust is not weathering !!!- and of course-spiders!!

Druthers- Radius constrains to Atlas 49.5", 45" radius.Turnout-hand thrown-Atlas #5's

I wanted to pop up's in the layout so I put down the good old Harbor Freight anti-fatigue mats.

Welcome to 2 Rail Oscale- You have received some excellent advise from some of the best layout builders on this Forum!! Take heed!!

Try to attend a O scale only show like Chicago at St.Patty's Day weekend since you live in Sheboygan,WI.

John P.Dunn Sr. Scale2Rail Promotions

                            Strasburg Show- 04/22/2017

My space is about 19' x 21, I have a two level layout, 2 track mainline, 56" minimum radius,
I run cab-forwards and any kind of diesels, E7s are my biggest, come on-15' x 17' in a great
space for O scale, use your imagination my friend! You can do it! ncng