Copyright 2002 T. Sheil & A. Sheil  All Rights Reserved

All Gauge Model Railroading Page

4' by 6' Layout Plans

for

MTH Real trax

Collected in this section are eight 4' by 6' O gauge layouts which make use of the MTH "Real Trax" system.  You can also use these for standard O as made by lionel. Real Trax uses similar geometry to standard O gauge insofar as curves and regular straight sections.  It differs only in its short straights, which  can be replicated by cutting tubular O to size  with a hacksaw.  The overwhelming majority of scenery and accessories used in our examples are MTH products, but can be substituted with comparable items from other makers.  RealTrax offers distinct assets in layout planning, such as a sturdy track complete with roadbed, easy wiring and ease of assembly.  The plans offered here are designed to make the most use of track and accessories in the limited space afforded.  Expect to have to do a little "fudging" to make it all fit, as the Realtrax is indeed a tight fir in some railways this size.  The end result is a sturdy layout that offers action and many opportunities for great scenery.  You can also adapt these layouts to serve as extensions for an existing, larger railroad.  They are versatile and can be altered or adapted as you see fit.

Images and placement of scenery and accessories are for example only.  You can alter, adapt or change them as you see fit.

This layout is a small shunting railway combined with a commuter or streetcar operation.  The "yard" is on the corner of an urban environment. (6) MTH 40-1042 O42 curve (7) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve (3) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch (4) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight (6) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight (5) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch (5) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight (5) MTH 40-1024 track bumper (1) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve (3) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight (1) MTH 40-1056 O54 righthand turnout (1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight (1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store (1) MTH 30-9035 Jewelry store (2) MTH 30-9056 Auto Parts store (1) MTH 30-9085 Train store (1) MTH 30-9096 city factory (1) MTH 10-1160 #165 magnet crane (1) MTH 30-9043 AF coaler (1) MTH 30-9111 operating freight platform (2) MTH 30-9107 operating station platform (1) MTH 30-9032 #197 radar tower (8) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp	In this example, the scenery is of rail facilities on the edge of town.
The urban setting makes for a fine little commuter pike, and you can combine it with a freight drill operation. (7) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve (2) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch (3) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch (10) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight (6) MTH 40-1022 O-31 half curve (2) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight (1) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight (1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross (1) MTH 40-1043 O42 lefthand switch (1) MTH 40-1044 O42 righthand switch (3) MTH 40-1045 O42 half curve 4.00 12.00 (1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight 3.50 3.50 (3) MTH 40-1024 track bumper (1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store (1) MTH 30-9035 Jewelry store (1) MTH 30-9056 Auto Parts store (1) MTH 30-9085 Train store (1) MTH 30-9077 6 floor office bldg (1) MTH 30-9082 hotel (1) MTH 30-9018 hardware store (1) MTH 30-9088 vegetable stand (1) MTH 30-9096 city factory (1) MTH 30-9111 operating freight platform (14) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp (1) Plasticville 1901 Union Station w/o platforms	One is reminded on small suburban "mini cities" found outside larger cities, such as those in Essex, Morris and Union counties in New Jersey.
We call this one "the octopus" because of its shape.  It is a versatile track plan that can easily be adapted and altered.  Here it is shown as a strictly freight operation, designed to make the most of operating accessories. (8) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight (11) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve (4) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch (1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross (2) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight (3) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight (5) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch (7) MTH 40-1024 track bumper (4) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight (1) MTH 40-1008 uncoupling track (1) MTH 30-9122 AF #796 sawmill (1) MTH 30-9119 AF #787 log loader (1) MTH 30-9043 AF coaler (1) MTH 30-11051 AF#23772 water tower (1) Lionel® 2300 oil drum loader (1) Lionel® 32996 #362 barrel loader (1) Lionel® 14001 #364 conveyor lumber loader (1) Lionel® 9224 horse car platform (1) Lionel® 14155 #395 floodlight (1) Lionel® 49805 #780 Gabe lighter (1) Lionel® 12917 operating switch tower (1) Lionel® 12878 illuminated control tower (1) Lionel® 12831 rotary beacon	The "octopus" layout gladly accommodates accessories, which is a plus for folks who love them.
This versatile track plan can host a variety of operations: freight drills, streetcars, commuter, shunting, etc.  Our example uses a suburban theme, which would host streetcar, trolley and interurban service. (7) MTH 40-1001 10 inch straight (12) MTH 40-1002 O-31 curve (4) MTH 40-1005 O31 lefthand switch (1) MTH 40-1006 90° cross (1) MTH 40-1012 5.5 inch half straight (3) MTH 40-1017 4.25 in straight (5) MTH 40-1004 O31 righthand switch (4) MTH 40-1024 track bumper (2) MTH 40-1018 3.5 in straight (1) MTH 40-1016 5.0 in straight (1) MTH 30-9035 Jewelry store (1) MTH 30-9012 Corner Drug store (1) MTH 30-9085 Train store (1) MTH 30-9056 Auto Parts store (1) MTH 30-11051 AF#23772 water tower (14) MTH 30-1062 O-scale hexagonal lamp (6) MTH 30-1079 O-scale square lamp (5) MTH 30-11033 gas light (1) Plasticville 1905 Town hall / Independence hall (1) Plasticville 1616 suburban station (1) Plasticville 1200 station platform (1) Plasticville 1901 Union Station w/o platforms (9) Plasticville 1901 Union Station platform (1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store (1) Plasticville 1613 large super market (1) Plasticville 1608 school house (1) Plasticville #1602 post office (1) Plasticville #1500 diner (1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market (1) Plasticville #1801 bank (1) Plasticville #1853 drug store (1) Plasticville #1626 corner store	This is the center of a larger suburban town or small city, such as those found throughout the Northeast.  I am reminded of several towns in northern and western New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and the "southern tier" of New York State.
Notes for the hobbyist: we have tried to use coordinating MTH accessories as much as possible on these Real Trax plans.  However, we have also used other brands.  In some cases, duplicate pieces were used.  A good hobbyist can change the duplicated by using paint and graphics, giving different signs to stores, etc.  As you can see, we pack a lot of action in these little railways.

Click here for the rest of the 4' by 6' Layouts for MTH

Click here to return to All Gauge Model Railroading main page