How big does a model train room need to be?

Peter’s been in touch with his answer to ‘How big does a model train room need to be?’

Of course, the scale you choose is pretty much going to force the issue, but I think this is the first container room on the blog:

“Hi, Al,

This is Peter from Strathalbyn, South Australia and I would like to give an update on my 20 foot container train room.

Firstly, it is completely solar powered, using a solar panel to charge a 400 Ah deep cycle battery and supplying the 240 volts for trains and lighting through a 600 watt pure sine wave inverter.

Regarding the layout, it is two loops, crossing the opening via a hinged drop down section.

The main loop represents the Mount Barker to Strathalbyn line, with an extension to Semaphore, but heavily truncated.

I am scratch building all my railway buildings from photos and plans and am quite pleased by the Strathalbyn and Mt Barker stations and their associated goods sheds. The Exeter Railway station is from 1929.

The layout is wired for DC and DCC.

Hope your readers find this of interest.

Cheers,

Peter.”

How big does a model train room need to be

How big does a model train room need to be

How big does a model train room need to be

model railroad control panel

 model railroad power unit

model train scratch built exeter station



If you’re still curious about how big does a model train room have to be, here are some others you can peep at:

Paul’s model train room

Model train room ideas

Cool model train room

Steve’s lounge train layout

Of course, it’s scale that determines how much room you need for a train layout:

Which scale is best

HO or N scale?

Please do leave a comment below if you have any thoughts on this – it comes up on the blog quite a bit.

Now on to Terry:

“Dear Alastair I have been enjoying reading your posts and seeing the many different layouts from around the country.

They have inspired me to try new and different things. One of them, is a turntable for my siding on the right side of the track.

My photos will show the process has it continued.

I hope you enjoy this rookies efforts.

Terry”

model train container shed

model train turntable

model train turntable

HO scale foliage

HO scale turntable

HO scale trees

A big thanks to Terry and Peter for sharing.

Please do keep ’em coming because it’s getting a bit thin on the ground this end.

That’s all for today.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

Al

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

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








8 Responses to How big does a model train room need to be?

  1. L. Zarling says:

    Finally someone is using their brains and the resources the right way b

  2. Tom D says:

    Peter,
    I live in North Carolina. I’m very impressed with you powering your system with Solar… Makes Sense…!
    You need to learn creative scenery work, that comes in time… I’ve been in HO since 1954… Im a member of the “Apple Valley Model RR Club, Hendersoville, NC… Keep up your work and Love for Trains..

    Tom D

  3. EDMOND L REITAN JR says:

    Peter has a great idea with his all self contained – Container Layout room. I am fortunate to been in my home for 55 years now – my train room is 25 ft 10 inches X 10 ft 4 inches. For folks that have to move every once in a while – it seems to that a container – would be an easy move.
    Ed – Kent, WA USA

  4. robert dale tiemann says:

    good job. really nice. good use of space. wish i had that much room.

  5. Jay Furlong says:

    Peter, that’s going to be a very nice layout. I might suggest that you consider installing a back drop or adding some clouds to the walls.
    Jay

  6. Herman Crauwels says:

    Wath a layout room !!
    Herman from Belgium.

  7. Terry Jacobs says:

    Could some veterans leave some critique on mine so I can improve please. Terry

  8. Marklin ed says:

    PETER does it get hot in your train room? If so how do you cool it down.wonderfufl IDEA for a train layout.

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