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3' by 4' Layouts for MTh RealTrax O Track

Track plans


MTH RealTrax is difficult when working in close spaces because of the extra track width due to plastic roadbed.  It takes more finesse, and yet is quite versatile, as these layouts illustrate. The following layouts are basic track p[lans for tight spaces. They can also be used as display layouts, extensions to an existing layout, or a basis from which to expand a layout.  Several are "concept layouts" illustrating a few ideas that can be used elsewhere.

Note that in these tight spaces, trackwork and everything else is fit tightly.  There is little "wiggle room".  Concessions must be made so that a layout can fit a 3' by 4' space.

Most layouts show several operating track sections.  These are shown for those who might wish to use them.  You can substitute a regular straight for an uncoupler / operating track if you wish.  Feel free to adapt and alter the plans as you desire.

Scenery is shown as an example of what can be done in such a small space. It is an example, and you should feel free to change scenery as you wish. Our examples are limited to what is included in the accessory libraries. Substitute, change and adapt layouts at will.

The best trains for these layouts are either smaller models, such as the smaller O27 types, or models of such short cars and locomotives. Short types include ore cars, bobber cabooses, docksider steam locomotives and "critter" gas or diesel switcher engines.  You can also use short trolleys or other motorized units.

Loop with long siding.  Our scenery is urban / residential.  This could be either a small freight or commuter pike.

(11) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve

(1) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch

(1) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight

(1) MTH 40-1024 track bumper

(2) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight

(2) MTH 40-1008 uncoupling track

(4) MTH 30-9079 townhouse 2

(4) MTH 30-9078 townhouse 1

(2) MTH 30-9080 townhouse 3

(4) MTH 30-1078 O-scale round lamp

(1) MTH 30-11012 operating crossing gate w/signal

(1) MTH 30-90064 row house #1

(1) Buildings Unlimited B501 flag stop

A point-to-point railway with loop and crossover.  This makes a great little display railway for use with bumper-activated motorized units, such as a trolley.

(9) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve

(2) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight

(2) MTH 40-1024 track bumper

(1) MTH 40-1007 45° cross

(2) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve

(2) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1008 uncoupling track

1) MTH 30-90023 Soda Fountain crnr

(2) MTH 30-9006 passenger station platform

(1) MTH 30-9024 rowhouse

(1) MTH 30-90064 row house

(1) MTH 30-90065 row house #2

(1) MTH 30-9078 townhouse 1

(2) MTH 30-9079 townhouse 2

(1) MTH 30-9080 townhouse 3

(4) MTH 30-1078 O-scale round lamp

(1) MTH 30-90038 Capt Jacks Seafood

(1) MTH 30-9023 rowhouse

A point-to-point railway that is actually two intersecting systems.  Our scenery hints at a trolley pike.  You could also adapt scenery toi sue this as an industrial shunting system.  It can be adapted, expanded, or even incorporated into an existing model railway.

(3) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve

(6) MTH 40-1024 track bumper

(1) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve

(1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross

(5) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight

(1) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch

(2) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight

(1) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch

1) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) MTH 30-90061 Coffee Shop(ocnr)

(1) MTH 30-90020 Katz's Deli

(1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store

(1) MTH 30-90035 Forbes Tower

(1) MTH 30-9096 CJ's Textile factory

(1) MTH 30-9035 Jewelry store

(1) MTH 30-90004 freight station

(1) MTH 30-9006 passenger station platform

(1) MTH 30-90025 Miller & Sons Furniture

A slight modification of the previous railway uses a straight siding in place of the curved one.  We adapted scenery only slightly.  Again, this can also be an industrial railway.  It can also be appended to an existing layout.

(1) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve

(6) MTH 40-1024 track bumper

(1) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve

(1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross

(5) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight

(1) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch

(2) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight

(1) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch

(1) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight

(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) MTH 30-90061 Coffee Shop(ocnr)

(1) MTH 30-90020 Katz's Deli

(1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store

(1) MTH 30-90035 Forbes Tower

(1) MTH 30-9096 CJ's Textile factory

(1) MTH 30-9035 Jewelry store

(2) MTH 30-9006 passenger station platform

(1) MTH 30-90025 Miller & Sons Furniture

(1) MTH 30-90034 McHales Tavern bldg

Here we have another railway where a short lien intersects a larger system.  These are point-to-point rail lines that could accommodate trolleys, small motorized units or small freight shuttles. This could be adapted to a fine display railway.  

(5) MTH 40-1024 track bumper

(1) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1007 45° cross

(1) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve

(1) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve

(1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross

(4) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight

(1) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch

(3) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight

(1) Plasticville 1901 Union Station w/o platforms

(1) Plasticville 1616 suburban station

(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house

(2) Plasticville 1901 Union Station platform

(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store

(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store

(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store

(1) Plasticville #1801 bank (6) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp

A variant of the above railway adds a spur to parallel part of the short bisecting line. There, one could make a shared station or terminal for both systems. this could be a good trolley system or freight shuttle.  Of course, it has potential as an extension or addition to an existing layout, or as a basis for expansion into a larger layout.

(6) MTH 40-1024 track bumper

(1) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1007 45° cross

(1) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve

(1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross

(4) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight

(2) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch

(3) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve

(1) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight

(1) Plasticville 1901 Union Station w/o platforms

(2) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville 1907 apartment house

(3) Plasticville 1901 Union Station platform

(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store

(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store

(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store

(1) Plasticville #1801 bank

(5) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp

Here is a simple freight or trolley shuttle pike using a redundant set of spurs.  It could be intriguing, like a puzzle. This railway would make a nice "base" for expansion or addition to an existing layout.  

(8) MTH 40-1024 track bumper

(7) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight

(2) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight

(5) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch

(3) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight

(1) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve

(1) MTH 40-1044 O42 righthand switch

(1) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight

(1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store

(6) MTH 30-9006 passenger station platform

(1) MTH 30-90035 Forbes Tower

(1) MTH 30-90020 Katz's Deli

(4) MTH 30-11011 7-light dwarf signal

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