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All Gauge Model Railroading Page


Doorway layouts for O Gauge (O-31)

32 inch by 77 inch layouts


The narrowest surface that can accommodate O gauge curves is 32 inches.  Many doors are made to that width, especially those for older houses.  For these layouts to work, you will need to fudge track to make it fit, and in some cases you may have to cut a piece to fit. Another problem is the switch machine on conventional switches.  While some brands allow you to move the machine to either side of the switch, some are fixed permanently.  This can be a problem, negating use of the switch in a few cases.  In switches with permanently-fixed machine, there is no way around it.

The layouts on this page do their best work with smaller trains, and are especially suited for trolley and commuter cars (such as Budd cars).  Freight are possible, these being mainly a single freight car shunted by a switcher.  

A simple double-loop layout that is fine for trolleys and small commuter lines.  In our example, the line connects the city square to the left with the  business district on the left.

(5) O single straight

(10) O O-31 curve 45°

(2) O O-31modern lefthand turnout

(4) O O-31 modern righthand turnout

Total of 21 items

(2) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville 1407 watchman's shanty w/gate

(1) Plasticville 1905 Town hall / Independence hall

(1) Plasticville #1607 fire station

(1) Plasticville #1602 post office

(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store

(1) Plasticville #1801 bank

(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store

(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store

(1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market

(5) Custom Signals double hi-way crossing

A busier trolley system, or a small freight drill work here.  Note the switch machine of the center switch on top - it abuts another line.  If your switches do not allow you to change position of the mechanism, you would have to forego that spur.

(5) O single straight

(9) O O-31 curve 45°

(4) O O-31modern lefthand turnout

(4) O O-31 modern righthand turnout

(2) O 90° cross

(1) O half straight

(2) O custom cut straight

(2) track bumper

Total of 29 items

(3) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store

(1) Plasticville #1853 drug store

(1) Plasticville #1602 post office

(1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market

(1) Plasticville #1611 hardware store

(1) Plasticville #1500 diner

(1) Plasticville 1401 Frosty Bar

(1) Plasticvile #1406 slide

(2) Plasticvile #1406 merry-go-round

(1) Plasticvile #1406 see-saw

(1) Plasticville 1901 Union Station w/o platforms

Here is a small freight operation, serving a warehouse on the left.  Note that two switch machines abut in the center - you may have to adjust your track work carefully.

(6) O single straight

(8) O O-31 curve 45°

(4) O O-31modern lefthand turnout

(4) O O-31 modern righthand turnout

(1) O 90° cross

(2) O half straight

(1) O custom cut straight

(2) track bumper

Total of 28 items

(4) Plasticville 1620 loading platform

(1) Plasticville #1626 corner store

(1) Plasticville #1500 diner

(1) Plasticville 1401 Frosty Bar

(1) Plasticville #1612 5 & 10 store

(1) Plasticville SM-6 small super market

(1) Plasticville GO-2 small gas station

(1) LaserKit 484 elevated warehouse

(1) Buildings Unlimited B503 trackside shed

You can combines trolley - commuter service with small freight drills here. In our example, the residential area to the right is connected with an industrial area to the left.

(4) O single straight

(8) O O-31 curve 45°

(4) O O-31modern lefthand turnout

(4) O O-31 modern righthand turnout

(2) O 90° cross

(2) O custom cut straight

(2) track bumper

(4) O half straight

(1) O O-31 half curve 22.5°

Total of 31 items

(1) Plasticville 1901 Union Station w/o platforms

(3) Plasticville 1200 station platform

(1) Plasticville 1906 factory

(1) Plasticville #1603 Ranch house

(1) Plasticville 1629 bungalow house

(1) Plasticville 1701 New England ranch home

(1) Plasticville #1502 Cape Cod house

(1) Plasticville 1504 mobile home

(1) Plasticville 1618 TV transmitter station

(1) Plasticville 1625 railroad work car

(1) Plasticville 1402 switch tower

This is great for combined freight and trolley service.

(6) O single straight

(10) O O-31 curve 45°

(3) O O-31modern lefthand turnout

(4) O O-31 modern righthand turnout

(3) track bumper

(6) O half straight

Total of 32 items

(2) Plasticville 1620 loading platform

(1) Plasticville 1616 suburban station

(1) Plasticville #1602 post office

(1) Plasticville 1905 Town hall / Independence hall

(1) Plasticville #1614 police station

(1) Plasticville #1607 fire station

(1) Plasticville 1625 railroad work car

(1) Buildings Unlimited B503 trackside shed

(2) Buildings Unlimited B501 flag stop

(1) Atlas O #6903B trackside shanty

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