I guess it depends on what you want to model, but I would certainly think that long and narrow would be better suited to a layout.  It would also have the advantage of needing lighter framing for the roof, since the open span would be significantly less.  On the other hand, it might cost more to heat and cool, since there would be more surface area compared to a more square building.

Logically longer is better to a point. Part of this will depend on what you are planing on modeling. An O scale street railroad would have different requirements then my HO C&O in the new river for instance.

That being said from a building stand point there are down sides to building a long building. Fitting on a lot for instance but you also have more expense because of needing more exterior wall. Also because you have more exterior wall you will use more energy for heating or cooling.

So in truth. It all depends.

-Doug M

This sounds like one of those word math problems from school! IIRC the answer is Thursday!

Seriously, though, I think it really depends on the type of railroad you are going to model.

For flatland road, like in the Midwest or Florida, the longer the straight runs are, the better. However, if you are modeling a mountain railroad, in the Appalachians or the Rocky Mountains, long straight runs are really not that important.

If one is going to build a building specifically for a model railroad, I would (as much as practical) design the railroad first, and then fit the building to it!

George

Go to www.grandepacificmodelrr.org pictures of building construction and layout. Links to videos. Vist my MRH blog arthurhouston.
Good luck.

 WOW! I Think that's an enviable dilemma all of us would like to be in!

If available land to build is not an issue then the next consideration would be zoning issues, what are you allowed to build? Next I would think about geography and the type of building to build. are you in a northern climate where snow loads may be an issue,heating/cooling needs.

  After that I agree with Possum (George) design the layout, then fit the building to your needs.

Keep in mind when designing the building to allow for electrical service box,,restroom, water heater HVAC, workshop area for model construction/repair and don,t forget the COFFEE POT!!!

  Mark

  Modeling CNW circa 1961

Ray wrote:
It would seem the only reason to have benchwork curving all over in a building is because the building is not long enough to have a long run.

 Or possibly because you wanted better visual separation between scenes. A scene that is 90 degrees off to the side of you (or behind you) could be pretty visually different from the scene in front of you, without the transition being too abrupt, while you will need longer and less abrupt transitions between scenes if looking down along a 150 foot long straight bench.

 Either way - sound like a very big space :-)

 Smile,
 Stein

It would seem a little wider would be nicer, but ultimately it comes down to balance.

My local planning guru, in trying to redesign the club layout, says that if the room was just 6 feet wider than the 23' that it is, it's be "perfect" for turnback considerations without any regards to the length of the run.Either way, once you get to that length it's a matter of how you plan the layout more than a matter of how long the room is...

I'd think you would be very wise, though, to take at least 500 square feet, or perhaps even 1000 square feet and using that space for a workshop with a storage closet of mammoth proportions - you know, one where every operation has it's own specific workstation, where every tool and machine has it's space for setup and storage.  A large layout like this will require years of model building and afterwards maintenance, not to mention the mess involved with the construction phase.  The Layout will look neater in the layout area if you have a dedicated storeroom/workroom/workshop so all your stuff is organized in the interim and beyond.  You'll also be able to contain the sawdust to one room.

Living the dream, sir!!

Thanks to everyone for the constructive comments.  Gives me some things to think about.

To answer a few questions raised.  This is a very ambitious project for us.  But when fully retired I need something to stay active and busy.

I live in the country.  So I only have to meet the national building codes and not worry about city codes or inspectors.  Since this building is considered a workshop and not living space, the county and state do not require specific inspections.  I live in central Texas so snow loads are not an issue.  Wind maybe but not snow.

Space is not an issue for the building.  So whether it is a long and narrow building or more square bulding is not really an issue from a space stand point.

We are constructing a freelance HO railroad with multiple industries sort of going from coast to coast.  We have already purchased most of the major industry buildings.  Industries will include steel mills, coal, power plants, ethanol plants, refinery, chemical plants, grain facilities, salt mines, gravel pits, cement plants, sugar beet plants, breweries, lumber mills, paper mills, canning factories, container terminals, dock facilities,  and distribution centers to name a few.  In addition, we have purchased the entire Faller carnival system to build a carnival on one end.    The railroad will be a point to point double mainline with city and port on each end with two or three additional smaller towns between the final destinations.  Our original plan was for a 4000 sf multi deck layout with the bottom level being a northern line across the US from Coast to coast and the top deck to be a southern route from coast to coast.  The terrain would vary as you travel the line with the northern route more mountains and wooded/agricultural terrain like you would find in PA, OH, ID, MO, KS, CO, UT, Northern CA or maybe WA states. The southern route would be a few mountains and more desert and rolling hills flat land like found in NV, AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, NC.

I am now considering only one level with half being the north and the half being the south routes.

Currently have a 1300 SF building which will have the shops, paint booth, storage and other facilities for construction of the railroad.  I am now planning the main building to attach to it for the railroad itself which will be in the range of 3500 to 4500 SF.  From the comments I need to plan a little more detail on the layout before planning the specific building.  I estimate a minimum of 15 years to any level of completion of the railroad.  Hope to have trains running in part within a year.