Thoughts on an O Scale Switching Layout

Then, the layout will extend from the tv and turn right against the other 15’ wall for about 4’4” to the edge of the windows.

I’m thinking about eventually extending the layout across the windows in the picture in the previous post, adding about 6’6” to the total length.

The depth of the layout will be about 24 - 30”, and will be set about 3’ off the ground, which is the height of the bar in the first picture; I’m envisioning resting that part of the layout on top of the bar, which would establish the height for the remainder of the layout. The layout would be sectional, removable, and lightweight, made out of foam insulation board a la Tony Koester’s “Wingate” layout in the Jan-April 2020 issues of MR.

This doesn’t give me much room, but it’s all I’ve got and the only place I have to put any kind of layout. These are just preliminary thoughts, and probably subject to a great deal of change as I get deeper into this. Obviously there isn’t any room for large locos, varnish passenger trains, or long freights, and operation will be limited to slow speed switching of no more than 2 or 3 small industries at most...but then that’s my primary interest anyway.

More to come as I research and ponder more about this.

With 17 ft on the long wall, you will have room for more than 2-3 small industries.     Or you may have a bigger one.     I'm thinking that most of the industries would be building flats against the backdrop hence taking up very little real estate on the layout surface.

I think you have ample space to do what you have suggested. The only concern I would have, is since this would be a dual function area is some kind of air filtration setup to remove the nicotine when you are tootin' on cigars and not trains! That stuff is insidious, and sooner or later it gets on everything.

Simon

My new layout is being built for this purpose. I can do both switching and just run a train. Single track main with a yard and 3 sidings for switching.

I am working on a variation of Tony Koester's Wingate. 4' wide with buildings wrapped around the layout. Still planning.

Dick

It occurs to me that in the corner under the TV an industrial area like this would fit:

Sounds great Kyle!  You can have a lot of fun operating a switching layout on your own or with a few buddies once that's allowed again.

I built my modern-era switching layout in ~5ft sections and it's been in 4 basements so far, configured as space permitted.  I have a few larger industries with multiple car spots but if you prefer an earlier era, maybe a few more smaller industries could work fine too.

Here's my track plan today:

I am very lucky to have a 39ft x 25ft basement space. But any of my switching areas could be a stand-alone layout in a space such as yours I think, with a bit of adjustment. Maybe a detachable narrow shelf on one end of one of these industrial areas could allow some extra switching headroom or an interchange with the "rest of the world".   

Here's a playlist with a few clips of switching ops back when I could have people over:

https://www.youtube.com/playli...pWGXAKZmSQ1c-zvvdOnz

Pete 

While space constraints are different, here is my approach for a 12 x 12 U that could easily be straightened out:

You would have to ditch the two lobes at the bottom. They wouldn't fly in 2 rail, but the rest would work.

Simon

Simon Winter posted:

You would have to ditch the two lobes at the bottom. They wouldn't fly in 2 rail, but the rest would work.

Simon

Why?  There are circuits to deal with reversing loops.

palallin posted:

Simon Winter posted:

You would have to ditch the two lobes at the bottom. They wouldn't fly in 2 rail, but the rest would work.

Simon

Why?  There are circuits to deal with reversing loops.

The RADIUS is the problem! Guessing it would be about 18".

Simon

Yes; in two rail O scale a tight radius is considered to be about 40”. That translates to an 80” diameter circle; just a tad under 7 feet. Atlas O Scale  SW’s can negotiate maybe a 36” radius if the track’s real nice and you lay in a transition curve. Forget about road power at that radius. Turnbacks are space eaters in two rail!! 

FWIW my 2R layout above has 36" radius curves in staging and at the end of the peninsula. All my 4-axle Atlas and brass Diesels, and freight cars up to 73ft Centerbeams run around them with no issues.

I just avoid the need in my ops scheme to couple or uncouple in those hidden  areas.

Pete

I would do two things:

Instead of a specific loop at the end I would incorporate them into to track plan to be more hidden.  And creates more space for industy or spread things out. 

Sorry for the long delay in responding to all of you provided feedback on this inquiry. I tried to post a response to all of you when this conversation was active, but for some reason that response failed to go thru, so my apologies. I really appreciate your answers and taking the time to provide your thoughts. Still planning, and am drawing up a list of structures from various sources. My layout will be Transition-era and will incorporate smaller industries, with some use of building flats; I do like the “shadow box” concept that Todd Architectural Models has developed.

My thanks again to all of you.

@Kyle Evans posted:

... I do like the “shadow box” concept that Todd Architectural Models has developed ...

Can't recommend this enough. TAM's work is nicely detailed and well made. And with an accessible interior that's just deep enough to place 2 or 3 figures front-to-back, you can create terrific mis-en-scene with genuine 3-dimensionality.

If it's in the budget, do it and never regret it.

- The Other Guy

It's late and I just skimmed the responses.  My BAD.  But, in OST several years ago, there was a series of articles about a well designed switching RR in 2-rail.  Could have been more than several years but it is worth looking up.

Ed

@Ed Kelly posted:

It's late and I just skimmed the responses.  My BAD.  But, in OST several years ago, there was a series of articles about a well designed switching RR in 2-rail.  Could have been more than several years but it is worth looking up.

Ed

OST?