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HO scale layouts for small spaces

I often get asked about HO scale layouts for small spaces – this one is very small indeed, it’s actually in the ‘crawl space’ in Rick’s house.

“Al,

Thank you for your always engaging posts and emails which have been a great support in getting back into model railroading once again.

I set up an HO set when the boys were very young while we were in the military. But with a lot of moving around and kids getting older, the trains sat in storage for over 30 years until this past Christmas.

Having grown up with a Lionel O Scale train set around the Christmas tree every year, we finally purchased a Polar Express set for our tree this past Christmas.

Seeing the reaction of our young grandkids finally got the fire going again to set up our own set that the kids of all ages could enjoy.

Unfortunately, the only space we have left for year round use is in the crawl space that only has a 40” clearance from floor to ceiling. After spending last winter clearing out the space, I took a corner and began building.

The entire setup is literally assembled on my hands and knees! I first built a 4×8 HO layout’ table on 6 sets of casters so I could move it around while building and for maintenance.

I used foam board for nearly all the foundation and hills which I find is easy to work with and mold. I forwarded a few pictures of the progress leading up to the finished (for now) setting. The left wall behind the tunnel is temporary so I can expand beyond the tunnel.

The train yard represents the rich train history here in the Chicago, Illinois area here in the states.

The two engines in the middle are both over 35 years old and do not work so I set up an homage to the Illinois Train Museum in nearby Union, Illinois that has quite a collection of engines and cars from many different eras.

You can see I made good use of your print-outs for the residential area including the sound wall between it and the park to the right of the table.

The park represents several areas where I run and bike to stay in shape to keep up with active grandkids!

You tips and ideas along with the downloaded printouts made it easy to stay motivated based on what others have shared with your community.

I am now working on the landscaping, ballasting the tracks and expanding the yard to include container cranes and additional construction as well as an overhead walkway to get from the residential area to the park. As many have said, it is really never finished.

Thanks again for what you do for this community of enthusiasts!

Rick”

A big thanks to Ricks because HO scale layouts for small spaces is something that a fair few ask about. Having a small space shouldn’t put you off, you’ll still enjoy it.

And now on to a question that keep popping up im my inbox – so I thought it a good idea to publish. Please post your answers in the form at the bottom of the page:

“Hi Alastair. I have problem which one of your contributers may be able to help with.

My layout is not digital but has three separate tracks each one having its own power supply, all goes well apart from one track which will run for about half it’s distance then it runs out of power, switch it off for a few minutes and off it will run, again for a short time, very annoying.

I have checked all connections, all flitch plates, made sure all track is clean and that my locomotive wheels are clean.

The other two tracks continue to run fine no problems at all and yes they are all fed from the same supply. I have also changed the transformer to no avail.

Help please

Ray”

A huge thanks to Rick. It’s great to see a 4×8 HO layout – it takes a lot of determination to make a layout like that in a 40″ space too. Good to see he’s using the print out scenery for his tunnel too.

And who can help Ray?

That’s all for this time, folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

Don’t forget the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to join in rather just lurk.

Best

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here

New York O gauge

Robert’s been in touch tough with his New York O gauge. I do love how people mode their childhood memories and where they grew up:

“This New York O gauge layout has been over 25 years in the making and, like all model railroads, can never be finished.

Some of the locomotives were Christmas presents from the early 1950s and some are less than a year old.

There are scratch built cars, structures and a “Doodlebug” along with numerous scenes along about 300 feet of track in two attic rooms.

The Pine Island Railroad runs from the city of Basura (Spanish for garbage) out passed a dirty industrial area into the countryside. There is a town along the way named Katonah (where I grew up in N.Y. State) and a flag stop at the small resort settlement of Pine Island.

Various scenes along the way, some not shown in these limited views, show life and activities in the towns, farms and forests.

We have busy crowd scenes at the Union Station; kids playing basketball in the back streets or baseball in the park; a family farm is working the land and selling produce in a roadside stand; hippies are getting busted for a growing a greenhouse full of pot; a flying saucer has landed drawing the whole neighborhood over to see, and a hapless railfan is oblivious to the cougar and alligator creeping up behind him.

Soon I will send you some more photos, I hope you enjoy them.

I live in Southwest Oregon in the Siskiyou Mountains. The nearest town is Cave Junction, about 10 miles away, and the nearest railroad is the storied “Siskiyou Line”, formerly Southern Pacific, which runs through Grants Pass and Medford, connecting the mainline at Eugene, OR and Weed, CA.

As a child, I grew up with the New York Central back east.

peace and joy,

Robert”

My word, what a layout: 25 years of fun!

A huge thank you to Robert for sharing his New York O gauge layout with us. Loved it.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming.

And don’t forget the The Beginner’s Guide is here if today is the day you take your first step towards your very own layout.

Best

PS More HO scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

Made from this download.

Lionel train layouts post war

It’s not very often I get sent Lionel train layouts post war, but when I do see them in my inbox, it’s always a delight:

“This layout is a downsized after moving its 10 x 18 the old layout was 20 x 18.

You will see a brewery that I made its from Utica, NY started in 1888 and still going strong.

I been in this hobby since my father had 027 lionel and HO Lionel as a child since I can remember.

I have over 60 Post War lionel and MTH , Williams, K-Line and MPC Lionel.

Have over 300 pieces of rolling stock and 8 Passenger Sets.

I use Tubular 027 Track and have Lionel, K-line and Gargrave switchs.

I use a few blocks to park engine and to bring on line. The best part of being a operator is Having a cold beer and watching Trains..

Thanks

Mark”

027 lionel

Heinrich has been back in touch.

You may remember his last post (it’s here).

He’s kindly answered your questions:

“Hello Alastair,

Thank you for all the responses to my layout.

I have feedback regarding the responses received. Also, as requested by Andrew (Andy), I have attached photos of the locomotives I will be running on my layout. Alas, the rolling stock is secured in crates and will be removed from their storage once my layout is finally assembled. Watch this space!

@ Glyn Jones: My Garrett is a DJH model and can be bought directly from them in the UK, or via a supplier in South Africa (Precision Miniatures).

@ John Russell: No sorry I don’t know of anyone that builds/supplies the Garrett in N gauge.

@ Will in NM: The things on the roof are pumpkins indeed (ripening in the sun)! They serve the same purpose as your tires in Mexico (albeit it short term, until they are ready to be eaten).

@ Bill in Virginia: The modules are secured together by 8mm bolts (and nuts). I have attached photos for you.

Heinrich”