(No subject)

Yup it Hurts

I hope one of the positive sides is that your fiance and her daughter both like model trains cause that is always a plus and may go aways in finding some new space. You don't say how high up your proposed layout will be. If you go up close to eye level can you get more space by going over some furniture?

Jack

Switchman's Nightmare

If you want complexity of switching in a small space, take a look at plans 6 and 7 on this pic:

Even trimming the tracks of plan 6 to something more to your liking, you should still end up with a lot of operational variety compared to an "Inglenook-type" plan. When it comes to a switching layout, being a bang-for-the-buck kind of guy, I would prefer operational challenge more so than scenic fidelity. That being so, should come as no surprise that I've never understood the attraction of Inglenook-type schematics. Perhaps I'm just dense and don't get it!

Anyway, the above FWIW.

Best of luck!

Andre

Consider N scale?

For a small shelf layout, if you’re having trouble fitting in what you’d like, consider N scale.  Depending on what you want out of the layout it may be a more satisfying overall compromise than a very limited HO arrangement.

Jack-

I'll be using a couple module stands from woodland scenics to avoid drilling into the walls as I only rent my house.  

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/item/ST4790  It measures 35.5" high, plus another 5 or 6" of foam insulation to allow clearance for the bridge over Birch Creek.  About 42" track height including a plywood base.

@laming

@laming

Andre-

Nah, you're not dense.  I think it's just a personal preference thing.  I'm leaning towards a less is more approach.  Those are interesting track plans, but i think the Inglenook type can give me a good balance of scenery and switching.  

Ken-

I had n scale that was all lost in a fire.  When I started to reacquire locos and rolling stock, I made the jump to ho.   It seemed like the right time.

Density

SD-40 Fan:

Well, good, so I'm not too dense, just wired different. That I can be okay with.

James B:

So as not to clutter up SD's blog with thread drift, if you'll hop over to my running thread on my current layout build, you'll find more to read than you ever wanted. The crux of the discussion of shelf layouts begins on this page:

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/35951?page=20

Look for the post with the header "That Hair Brain Idea".

Your question(s) can be answered there as to what book/etc.

In fact, ask any/all about shelf layouts (or any subject) and I'll chime in with an expert answer (or make something up if I don't know). Hope to see you there.

Andre

Other Blog Posts-

are gone, being that they were all relative to a layout that won't come to fruition.  I'll just combine new additions under the general Birch Creek Siding post.  Rolling stock, motive power, structures, bench work, etc. can all be piled in here for free for all discussion.  

More coming.

My plans are everchanging also....

but just keep plugging, and make the best 80" ever seen!

Peace Bill

Absolutely!

The Power-

   So, here's the road power.  The SD40-2 from the Landmark layout won't make the curves being a six axle.  The RSD-15 may or may not be able to handle them, as the middle axle is off-center -remains to be seen.  In any case, the majority of the time, I'll be running the Rock Island GP38-2 and occasionally going with the UP U25B just for a little variety.

Bench Work

 Finally, bench work is up!!!  Still have to get my plywood base and insulation foam.  But, all the structures, ground cover, and trees are ordered.  PROGRESS!!!!

Test Fit

 It's happening!  Test fit the track today.  Still need the foam insulation for elevation, grain conveyor, surge bin, and molasses tanks for the mill -along with other details ...and a name.  Still, more progress!

Feed Mill

 Feed mill kit bash is coming together.  -back drop from Trackside Scenery is hung, too.  Still need to finish the conveyor, and molasses tanks, but it's getting there.

Rolling Stock

A few pieces of rolling stock-

More coming

I just stumbled across your blog.

You’ve done some outstanding work so far and I can’t wait to see more.

Evening Drop

Chris B.

Thanks, Chris.  This is kind of a reboot of my blog, and something of a shadow of it's former self.  There's a lot less content... but somehow a lot more progress.  I'll take progress any day.  

-A Few More

Thanks to Dave@ProtoLoads for the killer pipe loads.  The banding is awesome!  Also, I converted the surge bin to a loader with a few modifications.

Weathering

SD40-Fan:

The weathering job on all of your locomotives and rolling stock is really selling everything to me, even if the layout is small and still under construction.

Out of curiosity, have you joined the Micro/Small Model RR Layouts group on Facebook?  If you haven't, I'd highly recommend it: I think your photos would be very warmly received.

brockpaine-