Small/Micro layouts

Dear Greg,

In HO scale, 4x6 is getting pretty small if we respect the accepted minimum radii curves.
That said, there's still plenty of scope for both scenic and operational layout building in such spaces.

You asked for references, try some of these...

The Small/Micro Layout website
http://www.carendt.com

For the 4x6 space you mention, esp if you're thinking "USA shortline operations", 
I'd strongly reccomend checking out Mike Keiran's "Port Able Lines"

https://bigbluetrains.com/showthread.php?tid=4850 
(Make sure to read thru all of the thread, Mike shows many many variants on the trackplans,
with incremental changes/improvements along the way,
all of which provide cumulative nuggets of small-trackplanning gold...)

A visit thru the "Hunter Valley Lines" website might also provide some inspiration
https://huntervalleylines.wordpress.com/layout-ideas/kendallville-terminal-railway-co/

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

4x6 vs 4x8

The radii stay the same ... 4 feet being the restrictive dimension.  What does change is that you loose 2' of "straight" run between the two curves.  This will impact the size of your industries/spurs, so you will likely want to be thinking short trains of short cars and motive equipment.

There are actually lots of 4x6 HO track plans out there ... Google will help find them for you ...

 

4 by 6

John Allen's first G&D was somewhere near this size so it can be done quite successfully ......DaveB

4x6 Track Plans

I built a personal version of Model Railroader's Tidewater Central project railroad (I think it was the 1958 project).  I've always been partial to this plan because 1) the oval sides don't run along the layout edge; 2) there isn't too much track for the space - and only 4 turnouts (I eventually used 6 and added a turntable); 3) operating style can be roundy-roundy or point-to-point.

I am seriously thinking about using that plan again as a combination test track and layout.

Fred W

4 X 6 layouts

Your tips are a huge help!  Thx.......

Gold Hill Central

This may be sacrilegious, but I built the Gold Hill Central from Model Railroader.  It is 4 x 6 and has a divider down the middle so you really have two railroads.  It was fun to build, but I had to sell it when I moved.  Now to commit another possible mistake, here is the track plan.  I apologize if this is not allowed, and if I shouldn't do this kind of thing, please let me know and I will be more careful in the future.

Trolleys?

In HO 10 inches is almost a generous radius. In 4X6 feet you could have streetcars for people and a small operation to deliver freight cars to an industry. Overhead wire is interesting but optional. 

GOOGLE Modeling Trolleys for a start on more information.

DrJolS

 "In 4X6 feet you could have

Another option for a very small layout with overhead wire would be the DL&W Wallabout Terminal in Brooklyn. It had a car float bridge, a yard, a warehouse and some team tracks all in a small city site. Motive power was a small steeple cab motor.  Photo and info can be found on hil Goldstein's Railroads of New York Harbor terminals website......DaveB

The layout that really

The layout that really sparked my interest in model railroading as a kid was the Yule Central. A 4x6 from an MR article in the 70s. It was collected in the book "Small Railroads you can build (1978)" (1st edition. 2nd ed is completely different layouts) 

It's a nifty little layout with an optional 2x3 extension, but you could also make the extension any size and shape.

Don't let the "small size" fool you

You mentioned you are a newbie, 24 sq feet is quite a bit to start with from scratch.  Take the opportunity to learn many new skills in the hobby, don't focus on the size. You will learn a lot, from how to do it to what you enjoy most.  I have seen some beautiful small layouts with decent operation that I would take any day over the basement empires that some never "finish."  So dive in, make some mistakes, learn and enjoy... that is what counts.

Kaw Valley Transportation variation of the Gold Hill Central

I found a Lionel Fastrack version of this railroad in Kalmbach's CLASSIC TOY TRAINS MAGAZINE'S LIONEL FASTRACK TRACK PLAN book. I used SCARM to redesign the plan to 4 x 8 using Atlas Code 100 Snap-Track for a On30 plan. I modified the right hand spur on the main yard's outside track into a branch leading to a switchback riverfront wharf track and used Atlas Code 80 N scale track components to design an On18 mining tram to feed coal to the branch spur on the mine/ logging spur side of the layout. I used the Lionel version to covert as it already took into account the foot prints of O scale buildings. I noticed that left hand spur on the outside track of the yard in the HO scale version is used for an Engine House. It could be used the same on my version as I have yet to plan its use. I have toyed with having it be a track that suggests continuation of the railroad beyond the confines of the  table though each end of the switchback could do the same. What would you suggest?

4 by 6 layout?

Do you have any idea of what you'd like to see happening on the layout?  It's possible to design a layout that size but it would need to be limited in it's scope and purpose. The track plan could be many different forms depending on the layout goal.Are you interested in watching trains run, building some scenery, switching some cars, replicating a favorite prototype scene, showing off certain models, etc. Once you have a clear goal it will be easier to come up with a plan that has a reasonable chance of success..You might even find that N scale better suits your goal once it is well defined...DaveB