Oo gauge layout 8x3.5ft

[BDLhouston]

What would i be able to do with this space? Im planning a layout and im not sure if i would be able to fit a full circuit, but i could maybe see about an end to end layout, ill be running multiple units so i can't have corners that are too tight

 

[Peter C]

My layout is 8'x4' and I've got two loops (using Hornby third radius curves for the outer line, and Hornby second radius curves for the inner line). There's a bit of space between the outer loop and the long edge of the board on either side, if that makes sense, so I imagine you might be able to get a third radius loop into 3.5' - admittedly, using all space available! A second radius loop is probably a better idea. I think about 95% of stock (not a definite score) is designed to go around second radius curves as a minimum, so you'd be alright.
You can fit quite a lot of stuff into the middle of a round-and-round layout: my layout thread might be useful here. I've got a smallish depot and a terminus station, all in the centre of the board - I think you'd be able to get plenty of stuff into the centre of a 3.5' wide board.

Hope this helps!

-Peter

 

[Iskra]

Basically the choice is a loop or end to end. End to end works well with units but could get a bit boring, unless you enjoy shunting which you could incorporate for more interest.

There is some track designing software called AnyRails that I would recommend doing some experimenting with!

 

[Cowley]

What would i be able to do with this space? Im planning a layout and im not sure if i would be able to fit a full circuit, but i could maybe see about an end to end layout, ill be running multiple units so i can't have corners that are too tight

Have you thought about looking at N gauge? I know that the range isn’t quite as large but you could do a hell of a lot with that space and you wouldn’t have to compromise so much on tight corners.

 

[MotCO]

My layout is 8'x4' and I've got two loops (using Hornby third radius curves for the outer line, and Hornby second radius curves for the inner line). There's a bit of space between the outer loop and the long edge of the board on either side, if that makes sense, so I imagine you might be able to get a third radius loop into 3.5' - admittedly, using all space available! A second radius loop is probably a better idea. I think about 95% of stock (not a definite score) is designed to go around second radius curves as a minimum, so you'd be alright.
You can fit quite a lot of stuff into the middle of a round-and-round layout: my layout thread might be useful here. I've got a smallish depot and a terminus station, all in the centre of the board - I think you'd be able to get plenty of stuff into the centre of a 3.5' wide board.

Hope this helps!

-Peter

If there is a bit of space on one side of the outer and inner loop layout, can the loop be offset by a few degrees? That may allow some sidings or a two platform terminus station down the side.

 

[Peter C]

If there is a bit of space on one side of the outer and inner loop layout, can the loop be offset by a few degrees? That may allow some sidings or a two platform terminus station down the side.

That's a good idea - I've managed to fit a small set of sidings down one side of my layout by making the straight sections of the loops a bit shorter than they might otherwise be if the loop was to take up the whole board, if that makes any sense: I might try and make a proper trackplan on SCARM (Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller - link to their website) at some point soon to explain it a bit better!

-Peter