VERY NICE LAYOUT

This fellow Oregonian thinks you've done a fine job in a small space. Very nice modeling and good to see Oregon featured  -even if it isn't logging - or the 1950's.........

Lon Wall

Thanks Lon!

Hey Lon, did you know that I was best friends with Lyle Noah!? He spoke of you all the time, posssibly we met at one point? Anyway, I spent a lot of weekends, nights up at Lyle's place. We scratchbuilt all kinds of models! 

Thank you for the kinds words about my railroad! 

Shaun 

Great article, excellent layout

Greetings, 

I very much enjoyed this layout visit. Thanks to Shaun and MRH for bringing it to us. 

Excellent modelling and the story answered all the questions I had about Shaun's layout. I especially liked the descriptions of how he made his backdrop.

I'm working on a modern layout of about the same size, so reading about the issues Shaun faced, such as balancing yard trackage vs. mainline, are interesting to me. Like him, I regret not going with a taller layout height. 

Thanks again.

My blog:

http://westtorontojunction.blogspot.ca

Stereotype!

I have to admit when I read the initial headline, of a small layout in a shed, I 'assumed' it was somewhere other than the U.S. Yes, stereotyping you could say, but I was surprised to read that it was located in Oregon. It certainly goes to show what can be done in a small area, even more so with modern railroading. Just, can we see more of it!

Brian

Track plan early in the article

Congratulations to Shaun!  I am one of those "20 years on the same layout" guys, so I admire your ability to get it done!

i would like to see layout articles have the track plan near the front.  The editors probably need to grab us with a couple of great photos, but it is much easier to follow the discussion of the layout if it appears near the beginning rather than the end of the piece.

And Shaun, one of these days we're going to see you running 40' cars and first and second generation diesels!  It's in your blood, deep!  Think about the sound decoder in the roadhouse rocking Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison on the car radio where the young couple is watching the submarine races!

really well done

Shaun,

As a modern era KCS guy, my hat's off to ya!  Thats a well executed plan, that will give you a ton of good stuff going forward. It does appear to need a dance hall ofs ome kind, however . . . with a certain oddly named band headlining . . . .

Reminds me of the HOG plan

When the article began and I read this modern layout was in a shed, I said to myself:  "The track plan must be a similar shape to the Heart Of Georgia plan."  When I got to it, sure enough, it did!  I am waffling on a possible switch to N, but have HO equipment from through the years (still in the armchair here).  Good to see a nice layout that can handle modern stock in HO scale that doesn't require a mortgage payment of its own in required space!

Hey Shaun!

 Glad to hear you spent time with my old pal Lyle.  You're right - we know too many of the same people!

Your still have a payout to be proud of - and a habit you obviously inherited from Lyle is the ability to get it built!

Lon Wall

More photos of my railroad!

Thank you everyone for the kind words! if you would like to see more photos of my railroad check out this album here: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124768892@N06/sets/72157645286735675

Very nice looking  layout. At

Very nice looking  layout. At first i thought it was allot bigger layout. You have done an outstanding  job of it. And also helps  that  it is modern UP

Regards Phil

Nice photo gallery

Thanks for sharing.  What rig do you use to shoot such lovely scenes?

iPhone 6 plus!

Philip, I actually use an iPhone 6 plus! (and a photoflood sometimes) 

Thank you! 

Shaun 

Track Plan

Perhaps Shaun was not aware of it, but his track plan is based upon Scott Perry's Heart of Georgia Railroad.

A good design for this size railroad with longer equipment, such as the autoracks.  Shaun has completed more in 12 months than many complete in a lifetime.  Good on ya!  -John

PS - after reading the thread on Operations on a Small Layout, I can't help but think that an excellent follow-up to this article would be one focusing on how Shaun operates this layout.  -John

Operating ShaunToman's UP Oregon Division Layout

Being a friend of Shaun, I sometimes get to operate the UP Oregon Division layout. Operation is not my forte in the hobby, but I gotta say, I do enjoy operating Shaun's layout mainly because he has such great locos - most with sound - and super good looking , weathered, rolling stock, operation is nearly flawless, and the scenery is --ahh, well in 2 words - absolutely gorgeous! I never go there without a camera. What this guy has accomplished in under a year and a half is just jaw-dropping, eye-popping, amazing!

The operating sessions he designs are interesting and it's incredible how MUCH operation he packs into his cleverly designed trackwork. I agree with John, an article on operating this layout is a must!

Canyon Creek Pete

"Perhaps Shaun was not aware

or they are both based on the thousands of oval layouts built over the decades? ...DaveB 

Track plan

I have seen the heart of Georgia track plan, mine however is based upon my previous railroad that was in a 10x11 bedroom back in 2005 at my parents house. I grabbed a couple idea's from the HOG railroad but totally changed everything else. I've got an added peninsula (yard / stagging) and I have added 2 staging tracks along the West wall. 

Dave B, you're correct too! There's a very limited track design you can do with a small space and they pretty much are all about the same! I wanted 2 passing sidings, a yard, a long mainline run and LOTS of switching so thats what I did! 

Pete,

Thanks for the kind words!! My railroad wouldn't look like much without your trees!! Thats what really makes it pop! 

Thanks,

Shaun 

Inspiration

When I read this article it gave me inspiration that I can build a 9x11 layout similar to what you have done.  Your layout is an awesome layout.  The only thing different I'm trying to fit into mine is a town center so that I can have both Freight and Passenger Service.

I too am using open grid with pink foam and 24" radius's so thanks for sharing this.

WOW!

Great job Shaun.  This layout looks huge.  It really shows what can be done in a smaller space.  as someone else commented "Inspiring", as in, inspiring me to get my butt in the spare bedroom instead of waiting for a retirement home with a huge basement.

on TMTV

I really enjoyed your interview on TMTV today.

This along with the article really showcase your layout well.

Kind words!

Thank you for all the kind words! 

Wanted to try and reply to each and everyone of you! 

@ gzygadlo

9x11 would work just perfectly! I'd go ahead and get it going! 

@ alanrangerme

Yes get that spare bedroom railroad going!! 

@ Bill Brillinger

Thank you for the kind words! 

Shaun 

P.S. Since the article has been release I've went back and weathered ALL my buildings! 

And if you're coming to Portland in August

thanks Joe!

Yes for sure! There will be all kinds of new things by then too! 

Shaun's UP layout

Shaun:

i love the layout, your scenery and backdrops are very realistic.  It is hard to believe you have so much layout in such a small space.  It is great to see someone your age so active in this hobby.

Keep up the great work!

Hank

Great motivation for me to get working on my layout