im new at this

[dabears5441]

Hi,

I'm new in HO model trains and am wondering what the average size of the tracks are? I bought a 4x8 board and can't fit it down the stairs and will have to trim it. So plese tell me if you have an idea of a good size smaller than 4x8.

Thank you

[shaygetz]

Welcome...a good layout in HO scale can be built in as little as 40" x 60". My testbed/Christmas layout has 4 independent loops of track with 14" elevated, 14", 18" and 20" radius curves that make for a very busy little road. An Athearn GP7 traverses the 14" loop just fine. Rounding off the corners makes for even easier handling.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p96/1shaygetz/christmas11-1.jpg

[tworail]

Welcome...a good layout in HO scale can be built in as little as 40" x 60". My testbed/Christmas layout has 4 independent loops of track with 14" elevated, 14", 18" and 20" radius curves that make for a very busy little road. An Athearn GP7 traverses the 14" loop just fine. Rounding off the corners makes for even easier handling.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p96/1shaygetz/christmas11-1.jpg


WOW nicely done! Keep the pics coming, add them to the gallery.

[shaygetz]

Thank you. Since taking up the pulpit again, I had to condense my hobby dreams down a bit to accommodate a more erratic schedule. I have two layouts, 1 in HO pictured above for my tinkering and an N scale one for more formal operations. Dust being my biggest enemy because I cannot devote as much attention to keeping a layout clean, I went for the smaller HO layout for easy cleaning and enclosing my N layout as it is more affected by dust. My scenery appetites are satisfied by a small HO switching layout I can store on its end.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p96/1shaygetz/cased.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p96/1shaygetz/puzzle61.jpg

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p96/1shaygetz/puzzle16.jpg

[tworail]

What loco is a that in the picture above? Looks French?

[shaygetz]

That is a Jeouff model of a French SCNF CC 6505 "Broken Nose" that was given to me by a friend. I'm pondering turning it into a model of Amtrak's X996, which was one of these locos brought over here as a experimental unit affectionately referred to as the "French Fry".

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p96/1shaygetz/french2.jpg

[tworail]

Would make for a very interesting project, that is for sure.

What's the quality like on Jeouff? It is one of the few european brands I have not had experience with.

[tworail]

Oh, and dabears5441, sorry for the 'thread jack', as they call it.

How did you make out with the trimming?

[Stan kolak]

smallest oval is 36" X 45", that is with one straight track each side only. Add 9" to extend the oval by one more straight track. The smallest board would be 38 " X 48". Cutting the board down the middle and rebutting at the site would give you a larger size. Double and triple decking gives you more variety.

[eagle37]

Hi,

I'm new in HO model trains and am wondering what the average size of the tracks are? I bought a 4x8 board and can't fit it down the stairs and will have to trim it. So plese tell me if you have an idea of a good size smaller than 4x8.

Thank you

I'm a newbie at this, too--but I'm an "oldie" at woodworking. The next time
you buy a 4X8, say at Home Depot, have them rip it down the middle. Since you've already bought it, do you have a portable power saw? Can you borrow one? 4X8 is such a good size and there should be no problem in simply joining up the two pieces on your framework.

Edward