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Doorway layouts for O27

Five Track Plans for a 36" by 77" area

Of all the track systems and gauges out there, O27 is the best for doorway layouts. The tight curves and short straights make it easy to enjoy an active, interesting layout in a tight space. Equally important to enjoyment of O27 are the many operating trackside accessories. You can have plenty of fun.

With the current trend in O Gauge tending toward scale sized trains, O27 seems to be getting the short end of the stick. It will never disappear because it is so good for very small layouts. The trick to getting maximum action is to use shorter car and locomotive types on the small layouts. Classic-sized freight cars of ten inches and less, twelve-inch passenger cars and shorter locomotive types are perfect for smaller layouts. In the size layouts shown here, you do not need any fancy control systems or complex wiring.

The buildings used here are just examples. Use your imagination when you build your railway.

This layout makes has two passing sidings, just large enough for a motorized unit (trolley) or small locomotive to pass. Freight spurs can accommodate operating trackside accessories.
(11) O27 single straight
(13) O27 O-27 curve 45°
(3) O27 O-27 lefthand turnout
(3) O27 O-27 righthand turnout
(1) O27 half straight
(2) O27 track bumper
Total of 33 items

( 3) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(2) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1615 water tank
(1) Plasticville #1502 Cape Cod house
(1) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house
(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate
(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house
(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home

Small layout with freight sidings is nice for a small two-train operation.
(15) O27 single straight
(11) O27 O-27 curve 45°
(3) O27 O-27 lefthand turnout
(3) O27 O-27 righthand turnout
(2) O27 half straight
(2) O27 track bumper

(3) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(3) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1615 water tank
(1) Plasticville #1502 Cape Cod house
(1) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house
(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate
(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house
(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home

This layout has an inner loop and sidings for freight. Great for using operating trackside accessories.

(11) O27 single straight
(10) O27 O-27 curve 45°
(4) O27 O-27 righthand turnout
(2) O27 O-27 lefthand turnout
(5) O27 half straight
(2) O27 track bumper
(1) O27 O-27 half curve 22.5°
Total of 35 items

(3) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(3) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1615 water tank
(1) Plasticville #1502 Cape Cod house
(1) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house
(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house
(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home
(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate
(3) Custom Signals single hi-way crossing
(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

Another layout that is superb for small operating loaders and other trackside accessories.

(15) O27 single straight
(10) O27 O-27 curve 45°
(5) O27 O-27 righthand turnout
(3) O27 O-27 lefthand turnout
(4) O27 half straight
(4) O27 track bumper
Total of 41 items

(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(6) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1615 water tank
(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate
(1) Plasticville #1622 dairy barn w/silo
(1) Plasticville #1408 windmill
(5) Custom Signals single hi-way crossing
(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

A slight variant alters the position of switches, so as the make a longer siding.

(15) O27 single straight
(8) O27 O-27 curve 45°
(5) O27 O-27 righthand turnout
(3) O27 O-27 lefthand turnout
(5) O27 half straight
(4) O27 track bumper
(6) O27 O-27 half curve 22.5°
Total of 46 items

( 1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(6) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1615 water tank
(1) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate
(1) Plasticville #1622 dairy barn w/silo
(1) Plasticville #1408 windmill
(5) Custom Signals single hi-way crossing
(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

Finally, we come to a layout with a crossover. This is fun for continuous running, trolleys or small freight operations. You can accommodate several trackside accessories and loaders beside straight tracks in the "cross" and on sidings.
(11) O27 single straight
(10) O27 O-27 curve 45°
(4) O27 O-27 righthand turnout
(6) O27 O-27 lefthand turnout
(2) O27 track bumper
(3) O27 half straight
(1) O27 90° cross
Total of 37 items

(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower
(1) Plasticville 1615 water tank
(2) Plasticville 1200 station platform
(3) Plasticville 1620 loading platform
(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate
(6) Custom Signals single hi-way crossing
(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty
(1) Korber #305 sand tower
(1) Korber #316 trackside shanty
(1) Berkshire Valley #802 brick freight house
(2) Berkshire Valley #851 freight house

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