Photos

An Overview of the folded figure 8 layout

 A side view

Closeup View

Just Monkeying around with you here

Size?

What size is the layout?  My guitar teacher is interested in doing a layout for his store for next season and since he know's I like trains.....this would be perfect for what he's looking for.  Keeping kids busy while waiting to talk to Santa!

Chris

4'x3' on the dot works nice

4'x3' on the dot works nice as a beginner.

An On Train Ride

Extra Video Removed

That is so cool!

That's so cool of you to do! I would've been bowled over with joy to have something that neat at a young age. I did have a distant relative's hand-me-down, Lionel three-rail set, but no scenery. But a cool little mini-layout like that, completely sceniked, would have been a whole 'nother world of fun. How old is your little brother?

7 years old so getting him

7 years old so getting him into things at a young age.

I would've loved that at 7!

That's about the age when I got my Lionel. But it was a steam loco, and looked nothing like the GP35s I saw running around my neighborhood growing up (even then, I had no interest in steam, plus I really disliked the totally unrealistic, three-rail track with its miles-apart tie-spacing). Anyway . . . he's going to love that! I think that's a great age to get started in the hobby.

Nice--and enough room

That's a nice little layout, and I see room enough to add a few switches later, allowing for aome basic drpping off and picking up cars.

Gee . . .

I even wish I had something like this NOW! Something I could put in my bedroom! Just to run a four-axle diesel and no rolling stock longer than a 50' boxcar.

In N scale i am even running

In N scale i am even running a 6 axle atlas classic engine around these curves easily

Small layouts are fun and easy

Small layouts are fun and easy. With tight curves they permit continuous operation and are still very conveniently portable.

First one (upper left) is HO 29" x 36", two ovals with 10" and 13" radius curves with easements. 10" radius handles most cars up to 40 feet, and some 4-axle diesel power. I recently added a switch at the front for possible expansion.

Second one (upper right) is HOn30 just under 4 square feet, technically a "micro layout". It's a double oval with 8" radius curves, 30-degree crossing at the back and a siding at the front. The equipment is smaller HO items kitbashed onto N-gauge wheels and loco chassis.

Third one (below) is an HO figure-8 with 8" curves in the space of 22" x 44". Cars up to 4 inches long run OK. A Kato-power loco handles the 8" radii smoothly.

All of these were built on flat painted plywood with only the tracks and roads attached. They have good play value when buildings and scenery items can be moved around for variety. The tightest curves all have easements for better appearance and operation.

I favor scenery which conceals part of the continuous circuit. The "mountains" are weathered deadwood stumps cut to stand on end.    

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/26295?page=17

Back to the future

Is that a layout for the future?

I see the date stamp is 2033, so it must not exist yet? I was looking for the Delorean.

Love the idea of a small starter layout. Nice going. You did a great job!

yeah is the default on the

yeah is the default on the camera I can't seem to change it.

Thanks. Now you've done it . . .

Great. Now I can't get this out of my head. Yes. A new, shelf layout! I have so many N-scale locos and so much friggin' rolling stock! Why not?

Dang it. I can't even get one layout finished and now this. I've always avoided small radii like the plague. But there's a lot of possibilities now with small-radii curves. I'll still run four-axle locos and short rolling stock so it won't look too weird.

Hey looking back I realized I was the inspiration for...

...your layout kinda funny in a way.

Nice!

I like that little layout, and, as was already said, there's room for a couple of spurs.  If he has a favorite sports team, you could even add a billboard for that somewhere easily enough, since I sense some buildings coming in the future.

Great Big Brother

I hope your little brother realizes how great you are to do that for him.  Well done!