When I worked in the hobby, people would often tell me they didn’t have the space. My answer was go N scale and build a coffee table, the engine service facilities could be built in an end table and the yard could be in the other, problem solved. Also the shelf layout can be built completely around the room with a lift bridge for access, I wouldn’t advise a duck under for obvious reasons. The dog bone with island is a very good, practical design and has endless possibilities. Thanks again for a very informative and interesting video.
I was currently working on a design of one but going with a compact modular setup with foam that I can easily take apart to store -youve definitely given me some more Ideas for it! Awesome job! Thanks for the ideas 🍻
Building a shelf layout with no ability to continuous run would (to me) be like making needless work for myself. I will put the work into the design and build… but when it’s done, I want the work to end and just enjoy the result of watching the trains run.
Hi. Thanks as always for taking a look!!!!’ 😊😊. I love automated traction railroads. Like you say, continuous running on a shelf. And traction is right at home doing it. 😊😊🚀🚀🚂🚂
I've always found the design faze to be the most challenging, trying to achieve and maximizing train running within the confines of the available space. I'm working on the track plan now for my 4th layout build and it will be a shelf running around three sides but connecting the two ends with large arch bridges. I will have two lines all the way around with one digital and the other analogue.
@@bigwoz78 a friend built a huge On3 in his master bedroom. Then he got married! Well… the layout was taken apart and stuck in the hallway. Really! So it’s now being cut down into a 10 foot by 18” shelf. In the spare bedroom. And it’s so much better than when it was huge. And will not lead to a divorce!
I recently started a small shelf layout so I could run my old trains. In order to automate I picked up The Motorman with 2 sensors to allow my trolley to endlessly run back and forth. I have two additional yard tracks (separately wired) with switches so I can manually run my other trains. The Motorman has the ability to run both DC or DCC. The two track yard I can also run DC or DCC so I can run my older DC trains (for now) and DCC in the future should I decide to update or buy new. As an aside one of my goals was to limit my $$ spent and focus on using what I already owned. Obviously this went out the window with The Motorman but it allows me to run a train in the background while I work from my home office.
@@bdlii I’ve thought about doing that on our logging line. Single track. Two stall locomotive shed at one end. So I could automate the line. Could be fun. 🤩 🚂🚀
You're right, almost anyone has room for these track layouts. Therefore, I have added my 'i wish I could build a model train' hope/desire, to my WIPs. These are projects I want to work on for the year and hopefully finish...usually takes 2 years to finish the bigger projects. Note: I'm having computer issues so I am logged in as bm hd. I'm usually logged as history buff (I forget the numbers that follow). I will try to keep you updated, but don't expect anything soon, (smiley face).
@@bmhd6598 hi history buff! The thing about a small shelf is you can plan out structures (my favorite thing to build) and advanced scenery, and then build, lay all the track, and wire the entire thing, basic scenery so it looks great in about a month, and then have fun running and building and perfecting it for years.
great video, point to point is great and you can run continuously if you add a timer auto reverse unit and a couple of diodes on insulated track ends. building an N scale back drop unit for the yard layout and this system runs my coalmine loco . thanks for lunch...
Nice explanation. I have 10 such plates and loads of space. What to do now?...My house attic has a sloped roof from the attic floor on. I can stand in the middle. Standing space is about 10m by 3,1m. The rest where i can not stand is 10m by 2,1m on one side and 8m by 2,1m on the other side. Attached to my house is a former hay attic as big as a small village church ( as big as my house, 10m by 7m and 2,5 stories/florr high and has no floors and is empty ( like a church). And i have several stables but i took out the floors because to rotten. Where would you guys build a railway? I would like to build a East German border city, iron curtian border and a west German part. Regards from the Belgium Ardennes. All to be build in H0 scale.
The house attic sounds perfect! Build sections where you can stand, then push them back against the wall. If it’s conditioned (the hay attic probably isn’t) then you’ll have less thermal expansion and an easier time getting power to the future layout.
Hi. Folded dog bone. Just found it online. Altered it into a blueprint and thumbnail. But great plan! A friend has similar in HO. We will cover that track plan!
Then you go N scale, suffer terribly from fewer products, fiddly tracks and trains. Less detail. And N scale requires more ... finesse that as you get older is harder to come by.
Very interesting and helpful thank very much
When I worked in the hobby, people would often tell me they didn’t have the space. My answer was go N scale and build a coffee table, the engine service facilities could be built in an end table and the yard could be in the other, problem solved. Also the shelf layout can be built completely around the room with a lift bridge for access, I wouldn’t advise a duck under for obvious reasons. The dog bone with island is a very good, practical design and has endless possibilities. Thanks again for a very informative and interesting video.
Excellent vid!
Thank you for the review of track plans, good and bad. Bravo!
@@azmike1 👋 hi. Thanks!!!!🚂🚂🚀🚀
I am working with n scale. You are right about the shelf layout. Thanks for the video.
Great topic! Thanks for sharing!
@@chiparooo thanks!!☺️ 🚀🚀🚀🚂
I like the dog bone idea. Cool 😎
I was currently working on a design of one but going with a compact modular setup with foam that I can easily take apart to store -youve definitely given me some more Ideas for it! Awesome job! Thanks for the ideas 🍻
@@macguysgarage thanks!! I’m glad it helped!!😀
Great video! Nice the way you show the different track plans.
I have 3 sheets to work with and a 550 sq ft loft. This gave me some ideas but I will super size them lol😊
Great video congratulations !!
Greetings from México
Great information . thank you
@@stevemellin5806 thanks!! 🙏
Building a shelf layout with no ability to continuous run would (to me) be like making needless work for myself.
I will put the work into the design and build… but when it’s done, I want the work to end and just enjoy the result of watching the trains run.
Thanks for the video 😀
Hi. Thanks as always for taking a look!!!!’ 😊😊. I love automated traction railroads. Like you say, continuous running on a shelf. And traction is right at home doing it. 😊😊🚀🚀🚂🚂
Hi Frank!! 😊
I've always found the design faze to be the most challenging, trying to achieve and maximizing train running within the confines of the available space. I'm working on the track plan now for my 4th layout build and it will be a shelf running around three sides but connecting the two ends with large arch bridges. I will have two lines all the way around with one digital and the other analogue.
Looking forward to this series Dale. I’m planning an around the room shelf layout right now. My room is 10 x 10
@@bigwoz78 a friend built a huge On3 in his master bedroom. Then he got married! Well… the layout was taken apart and stuck in the hallway. Really! So it’s now being cut down into a 10 foot by 18” shelf. In the spare bedroom. And it’s so much better than when it was huge. And will not lead to a divorce!
@@ToyManTelevision fortunately mine will be in a spare room. Yay
I recently started a small shelf layout so I could run my old trains. In order to automate I picked up The Motorman with 2 sensors to allow my trolley to endlessly run back and forth. I have two additional yard tracks (separately wired) with switches so I can manually run my other trains. The Motorman has the ability to run both DC or DCC. The two track yard I can also run DC or DCC so I can run my older DC trains (for now) and DCC in the future should I decide to update or buy new. As an aside one of my goals was to limit my $$ spent and focus on using what I already owned. Obviously this went out the window with The Motorman but it allows me to run a train in the background while I work from my home office.
@@bdlii I’ve thought about doing that on our logging line. Single track. Two stall locomotive shed at one end. So I could automate the line. Could be fun. 🤩 🚂🚀
You're right, almost anyone has room for these track layouts. Therefore, I have added my 'i wish I could build a model train' hope/desire, to my WIPs. These are projects I want to work on for the year and hopefully finish...usually takes 2 years to finish the bigger projects. Note: I'm having computer issues so I am logged in as bm hd. I'm usually logged as history buff (I forget the numbers that follow). I will try to keep you updated, but don't expect anything soon, (smiley face).
@@bmhd6598 hi history buff! The thing about a small shelf is you can plan out structures (my favorite thing to build) and advanced scenery, and then build, lay all the track, and wire the entire thing, basic scenery so it looks great in about a month, and then have fun running and building and perfecting it for years.
I hear your parakeet. He must want to ride the rails. Now, that would be cool to see.
great video, point to point is great and you can run continuously if you add a timer auto reverse unit and a couple of diodes on insulated track ends. building an N scale back drop unit for the yard layout and this system runs my coalmine loco . thanks for lunch...
Great point! Ralph Gochnor’s HO has that in two places. A mine that is about 10’ long and a trolley that is about 8 feet.
Going for 27' N scale in the back drop, should have something posted by weeks end...
Nice explanation. I have 10 such plates and loads of space. What to do now?...My house attic has a sloped roof from the attic floor on. I can stand in the middle. Standing space is about 10m by 3,1m. The rest where i can not stand is 10m by 2,1m on one side and 8m by 2,1m on the other side. Attached to my house is a former hay attic as big as a small village church ( as big as my house, 10m by 7m and 2,5 stories/florr high and has no floors and is empty ( like a church). And i have several stables but i took out the floors because to rotten. Where would you guys build a railway? I would like to build a East German border city, iron curtian border and a west German part. Regards from the Belgium Ardennes. All to be build in H0 scale.
The house attic sounds perfect! Build sections where you can stand, then push them back against the wall. If it’s conditioned (the hay attic probably isn’t) then you’ll have less thermal expansion and an easier time getting power to the future layout.
I have a N scale layout that travels around my 5 feet Computer Desk around my Computer equipments!
So anything can be done! ;)
@@weserman95 yes! I’ve seen several workbench layouts. Grand use of space!
The layout shown on the YT thumbnail looks interesting: Any info? Please?
Hi. Folded dog bone. Just found it online. Altered it into a blueprint and thumbnail. But great plan! A friend has similar in HO. We will cover that track plan!
The dimensions of that Sn3 layout haven’t converted into metric properly. 18 x 2 feet is about 5.5 x 0.6 metres. A one foot ruler is about 30cm…
I have a 12x84 two deck layout and I can't get anyone too run trains with me so what do I do about the situation?
Leave the country. 🤣🤣🤣
Never mind it worked😄
Hi!!!! Yup. And fun to switch and even fill a gondola with kitty litter!!!
I have no problem reaching the back of a 4+8 sheet of plywood? You ever heard of a step stool?
Obvious solution to... Never enough.... room is to go into N scale.
Then you go N scale, suffer terribly from fewer products, fiddly tracks and trains. Less detail. And N scale requires more ... finesse that as you get older is harder to come by.
Can’t give you thumbs up say caller doesn’t have permission.
Odd……