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All Gauge Model Railroading Page

3' by 4' Layouts for O Gauge Track (O-31)

Track plans

In our zeal to make functional layouts to fit a smaller space, these 3' by 4' pikes were designed. They use standard O gauge track with 31" diameter curves. Most of these layouts can serve as a small model railway and as a display layout for shows or store window displays.

Note that with small railways compressed into a tiny area, concessions must be made. The ability to have a small layout demands the use of smaller trains. These can be smaller type trains, such as the smaller O27 cars and locomotives. They can also be models of shorter real-life trains, such as ore cars, bobber cabooses, "docksider" steam locomotives and "critter" gas and diesel engines. Be aware that making the layout requires concessions, andi n some cases track might have to be cut to fit.

The scenery and accessories on these track plans are only examples. Our goal was to show how attractive these layouts can be, given the use of accessories and scenery. You can use whatever you desire on your layout.

Note that operating / uncoupling tracks are shown in many layouts for those who to use them. If you do not want to use any of them, you can substitue a straight track for an operating / uncoupling track.

This layout can work as a loop or point-to-point system. It also accommodates operating accessories. Our example is an industrial railway and a tank farm.
(1) Lionel® O O-31 modern righthand turnout
(6) Lionel® O half straight
(5) Lionel® O O-31 curve 45°
(2) Lionel® O O-31 modern lefthand turnout
(3) Lionel® track bumper
(3) Lionel® O uncoupling track

(1) Lionel® 9220 milk car platform
(1) Lionel® 9224 horse car platform
(1) Lionel® 2321 saw mill 9 9
(1) Lionel® 2152 crossing gate
(1) Lionel® 12917 operating switch tower
(1) Lionel® 12886 flood light tower
(1) Walthers 3304 Phoenix Oil shed
(1) Walthers 3304 Phoenix Oil tanks
(1) Walthers 3304 Phoenix Oil bldg
(2) LaserKit 484 elevated warehouse

An extended loop is good for continuous running. Our example is given scenery of a suburban area.
(10) Lionel® O O-31 curve 45°
(3) Lionel® O half straight
(1) Lionel® O O-31modern lefthand turnout
(1) Lionel® O O-31 modern righthand turnout
(2) Lionel® 2152 crossing gate
(5) Lionel 24156 Lionelville street lamp

(1) Plasticville #1500 diner
(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home
(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house
(2) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house
(1) Plasticville #1502 Cape Cod house

Loop with two sidings. It can be a commuter pike or industrial railway, and it can operate as a loop or as a point-to-point system.
(10) Lionel® O O-31 curve 45°
(2) Lionel® O half straight
(1) Lionel® O O-31modern lefthand turnout
(1) Lionel® O O-31 modern righthand turnout
(3) Lionel® O single straight
(1) Lionel® O O-31 half curve 22.5°
(2) Lionel® #260 track bumper

(3) Lionel® 2152 crossing gate
(4) Lionel 24156 Lionelville street lamp
(2) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(1) Plasticville #1607 fire station
(1) Plasticville #1614 police station
(1) Plasticville 1905 Town hall / Independence hall
(1) Buildings Unlimited B503 trackside shed

Simple loop with siding.
(7) Lionel® O O-31 curve 45°
(2) Lionel® O half straight
(1) Lionel® O O-31modern lefthand turnout
(2) Lionel® O single straight
(1) Lionel® #260 track bumper
(1) Lionel® O O-31 half curve 22.5°

(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house
(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home
(1) Plasticville #1908 split-level house
(1) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1906 factory
(1) Plasticville $1703 Colonial mansion
(4) MTH 30-11014 hiway crossing signal w/sound
(7) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp

Loop with sidings inside and out. Great for operating accessories.
(8) Lionel® O O-31 curve 45°
(3) Lionel® O O-31modern lefthand turnout
(2) Lionel® O single straight
(3) Lionel® #260 track bumper
(1) Lionel® O half straight
(1) Lionel® O O-31 half curve 22.5°
(1) Lionel® O uncoupling track

(1) Lionel® 9224 horse car platform
(1) Lionel® 49806 #796 sawmill
(1) Lionel 49810 #787 log loader
(2) Lionel® 2152 crossing gate
(1) Lionel® 12886 flood light tower
(1) Lionel® 14091 #45 gateman
(1) Lionel® 12966 rotary beacon
(3) Lionel® 12708 street lamp

Another layout that works well with operating accessories.
(8) Lionel® O O-31 curve 45°
(1) Lionel® O O-31modern lefthand turnout
(1) Lionel® O single straight
(3) Lionel® #260 track bumper
(2) Lionel® O half straight
(2) Lionel® O O-31 half curve 22.5°
(2) Lionel® O O-31 modern righthand turnout
(3) Lionel® O custom cut straight
(2) Lionel® O uncoupling track

(1) Lionel® 14157 #397 coal loader
(1) Lionel® 49806 #796 sawmill
(1) Lionel® 9220 milk car platform
(1) Lionel® 14091 #45 gateman
(1) Lionel® 2152 crossing gate
(3) Lionel® 12708 street lamp
(2) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville #1500 diner

Oval with two sidings. It can be used as a point-to-point layout as well as a loop, and it can support operating accessories.
(10) Lionel® O O-31 curve 45°
(1) Lionel® #260 track bumper
(4) Lionel® O custom cut straight
(1) Lionel® O O-31 modern righthand turnout
(1) Lionel® O O-31modern lefthand turnout
(1) Lionel® O single straight
(1) Lionel® O half straight
(1) Lionel® track bumper
(1) Lionel® O uncoupling track

(1) Lionel® 9220 milk car platform
(3) Lionel® 2152 crossing gate
(4) Lionel® 12874 street lamp
(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home
(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house
(1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house

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