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Post by copperbearrails on Sept 27, 2024 5:16:15 GMT
Hey all,
I think ive finally convinced the wife to let me put up a Halloween town display with a train. I only have a 4x4 area to work with. is it possible to have something other than a circle or tiny square? Ive seen a decent O27 layout but I dont care for the old school rails. Should I just bite the bullet and run O31 with 10' straights?
Thanks for any help folks!
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Post by david1 on Sept 27, 2024 5:54:47 GMT
Most of the tracks available can fit a 4x4 with like O31, O36,042 plus you could use 027 track.
Check out Lionel fastrack, tubular track from Menards, used tubular track. Lots of options. Up to you, have some fun. After Halloween change it to Christmas and after Christmas change it to year round.
Dave
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Post by Adam on Sept 27, 2024 12:29:39 GMT
I suggest doing a google (or your preferred search engine) search for 4x4 o-gauge layout plans or some variant of that. There are some ways you can get creative using elevated track and other things. I have a 4x8 and I found ways to pack it with fun.
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Post by atsda on Sept 27, 2024 18:03:48 GMT
Copperbearrail, welcome to the OGF. If you can frame it, you can bolt 2” x 4” for legs and add fold up 1’ extensions on either side to get 4’ x 6’. In any case, with 4’ x 4’, use O31 tubular. You can get a loop around the perimeter and include two O22 switches (east and west)to get another route. If you then put a right hand switch north side and right hand switch south side, and use a crossing through the center track , you can get some route variations, including reversal, with a controller. (I believe this might work if you squeeze out a few inches on east and west side.) Lay it out – if you don’t have the switches on hand, use carboard cutouts. (My concern is fitting the crossover tracks). Alfred
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Post by Country Joe on Sept 27, 2024 21:41:01 GMT
Since this will be a Halloween spooky town I suggest a simple square or oval track plan. Fill the open space with lots of Halloween accessories rather than more track.
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Sept 28, 2024 0:53:24 GMT
Since this will be a Halloween spooky town I suggest a simple square or oval track plan. Fill the open space with lots of Halloween accessories rather than more track. Yeah, I'm with CJ on that. By the description, this is not intended as an operations layout, but more a themed display with a running train. I've seen a few really nice small holiday themed layout videos recently, basically simple perimeter ovals with a variety of holiday-themed scenes packed inside, and think that may be the best use of a small temporary layout space. With such a simple track plan, you can just leave it running slowly, or allow even small would-be engineers to control the throttle, which is not really a safe option for a more complicated layout, at least without constant adult supervision.
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Post by healey36 on Sept 29, 2024 14:03:32 GMT
The site run by Thor Sheil was a terrific resource for small layouts, but with his passing, I believe it went to vapor. I seem to recall an effort to preserve it elsewhere, but a search turns up nothing. Too bad, as it was quite the rabbit-hole, just loaded with info regarding what Thor loved to refer to as "Tinscale".
I always thought some variation of the twisted figure-8 was a good configuration for a small 4x4. Certainly could be easily done using O-27 or O-gauge tubular...not sure about the more modern track systems, but I suspect they could accommodate a similar configuration.
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Post by copperbearrails on Sept 30, 2024 3:08:38 GMT
I have to agree with you all. A small circle, oval, square with rounded edges, is all Id be able to run. Im working on an O27 engine right now. Ill make the village two stories and run the train underneath. Maybe Ill hang some cheap lights to give a spooky glow in the tunnel. I have a lot of ideas and work with almost no time lol
Thanks everyone!
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Post by atsda on Sept 30, 2024 15:39:09 GMT
copperbearrail, I think you have arrived at a good plan. When time permits, you can get more complex. Like Dave said, do a Christmas layout next, and then go for a year-round one. When you have finished, post some photos and give an update. Alfred
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Post by edlloyd on Sept 30, 2024 22:15:39 GMT
To give you an idea of what can be done I am attaching the video of my layout I just did for this years Halloween display. I used 036 curves with a 10" straight. I have it sitting on a 4'x8' but it could work on a 4'x4'. I do lots of small circle layouts for the holidays. If you go to my YouTube channel you can see them.
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