Between the lines!

Joe, reading between the lines, and apologies if I'm wrong, but if it's only you in the apartment, then how about a sectional layout around the walls of the bedroom, and a lift-out section by the door. Takes up less room than a 4x8' solid baseboard. And you can easily dismantle it when you move again.

Brian

Free-mo

You might not have to follow all of their standards, but there is good information on building a layout in small pieces at http://www.free-mo.org/standard

There is a truckload of data on small layouts at http://www.carendt.com/as well

Small layouts can look great because they give you more time for detailing.

Joe, if space to build a

Joe, if space to build a layout is an issue I would strongly suggest looking into some model railroad clubs, in your area if any are there. The models take very little space and can be stored in protective boxes. Best of luck in your endeavors.

Modular Layout

I lived in an apartment for years and built a modular layout that ran around the walls of living-room dining room.  It was free standing so I did not attach it to the walls.  I did not get to scenery but it had two towns and 60' of main line with two passing sidings.   When I finally got a basement, I moved it to the basement and have included the modular apartment layout into my new basement layout.

In the apartment I operated inside the layout,  and when I was not operating I left a section out for ease of access to the living room.

I had a 2x8 layout...

I built a 2x8 section (it's now part of my full layout) behind the couch when my wife and I lived in an apartment after getting married. 

One thing you should look at is whether or not you can fit it through a door to the outside when the time comes to change (hopefully upgrade) your accommodations. 

build a switching layout

Build yourself a 2x8 ,or whatever size, switching layout in HO scale. Construct it with the idea  you will take it with you on your next move.  when I lived with my parents, I built an 8' 8" by 20" layout, it was 2 sections. When I moved out and had a place of my own, that switching layout became part of the new layout.  By being forced to have a small layout like this made me spend time scratch building , detailing rolling stock, and learn how to operate. Don't under estimate a small layout,  I found out that I did not need an oval of track to keep me happy.  Brian

Thank you everyone for your

Thank you everyone for your input. It helps. I can't find an apartment until I find a job so I don't know where I will be moving to. But my dream is to find an inexpensive 2 bedroom apartment. That would be great as I have alot of "stuff" I would have to find room for. (Yes, I would be by myself.)

I bought "How to build small model railroads" by MR and there are 2 layouts that I really like, "Oklahoma and Western" and "Indiana and Aurora".

Since I am a novice at layout design, could anyone tell me how to take these two plans and come up with a track plan using code 83 Atlas snap track? I'll also ask in some of the other forums. I have always used Atlas code 100 track but would like to learn to use code 83. Thanks.

Joe   

Planning

A regular columnisT for another national model railroading magazine suggests making large copies of the tracK plans -- whatever is handy -- and cutting out the separate elements and areas.  You can take these puzzle pieces and move them around a scaled drawing of your space until you come up with something you like.

Using Code 83 is really no different than using Code 100. There is a pretty good variety of switches, sectional track, and flexible track available.

Good luck on the job hunt.

Thanks. Regarding code 83

Thanks. Regarding code 83 track, I only mention it because I think the turnouts are different dimensions than the #4 and #6 Atlas code 100. If so, a track plan for code 100 would have to be modified for code 83, right??

Joe

"could anyone tell me how to

 Check the Atlas website, at one time they had free layout design software for Atlas track design....DaveB 

Track Planning Software

DaveB, I think that Atlas has stopped supporting that software. Shame, because it was a good quick-and-dirty tool that came at my favourite price - free.

SCARM comes highly recommended, although I've never used it: http://www.scarm.info

Personally, I use Railmodeller because I live in a Mac world: http://www.railmodeller.com

There are several others as well, but those are the ones that immediately come to mind. I know that this has come up in previous threads, so have a browse around MRH, Joe, and you'll find a wealth or resources and opinions. The folks here know what they're talking about! 

" I think that Atlas has

   Sorry, I used it years ago and hadn't tried it recently. Seemed like a good marketing tool for Atlas. Maybe it was getting out of date and they didn't want to spend money to freshen it? ......DaveB 

83/100

"Thanks. Regarding code 83 track, I only mention it because I think the turnouts are different dimensions than the #4 and #6 Atlas code 100. If so, a track plan for code 100 would have to be modified for code 83, right??"

Yes and no. A #4 switch and a #6 switch should have the same geometry no matter who manufactures the switch. The numbers tell you the angle of the switch frog, where the two routes diverge. The lower the number the sharper the turn.

In practice, there are little variations but Atlas is pretty consistent across its line.  The difference will be in the overall length of the tracks beyond the frog. CadRail and Third Plan-It are layout design software packages that have built-in libraries of commercially available switches. 

You may be trying for more precision than you really need. A lot of people have planned layouts by photocopying the switches they want to use, and tacking copies to their benchwork to work out track arrangements. A small layout like Lance Mindheim's six-switch Eastrail at http://www.lancemindheim.com/east_rail.htm has the switches spread out along its length and doesn't call for micrometer precision.

Templates

Peco do templates that you can download, print off and use. Gives a good idea of how space they take up. I've used them on more than one layout as a planning aid.

Brian

Personally, I'd not worry

Personally, I'd not worry about "track planning software".  Draw up the plan you want locating the turnouts and crossings as needed, then use flex between them.  That way you don't need to worry about exact distances between the 'interesting bits'. Snap track can still be used for short segments.

There are a myriad of small layouts