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All Gauge Model Railroading Page

Fun HO Layouts for Kids

These HO layouts are loads of fun. They offer plenty of action in a 4' by 8' area. Unlike the more scale-type track plans, you have here plans which accommodate casual operators and younger hobbyists.

Many people believe that because HO trains are smaller, the HO model railroad will also be smaller than O or O27. Actually, because of the very wide radius of HO curves, HO takes as much or more room than O and O27.

The track used for this layout is standard "train set" type HO track. It uses a switch with a tighter diameter than the #4 and #6 switches favored by scale modelers. Layouts of this type allow a great balance between scale realism and fun. Using realistic types like Bachmann's nickel-silver EZ Track or Atlas' True Track, you have the roadbed already done for you.

Our basic 4' by 8' layout. If you wire the sidings as blocks, you can run a long train and a motorized unit (such as a trolley) or short three-car "drill."
(12) Atlas True-Track 9" straight
(19) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve
(2) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout
(4) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout
(2) Atlas True-Track 6" straight
(1) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout
(1) Atlas True-Track bumper
Total of 41 items

If you use track that has its own roadbed, such as EZ Track or True Track, it is even easier to enjoy scale realism. First prepare the surface by painting and covering with a ground foam, such as fake grass and earth." Make sure to pain in your roads. Then lay your track, wire it ,and add buildings and other scenery. You can have a great HO model railway in a few hours.

Wiring sidings as blocks, the larger siding on top provides room to run two full trains.

(17) Atlas True-Track 9" straight
(17) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve
(2) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout
(4) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout
(1) Atlas True-Track 6" straight
(1) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout
(1) Atlas True-Track bumper
(1) Atlas True-Track 1.5" straight
(1) Atlas True-Track 3" straight
Total of 45 items

Here we expand the layout with wide 22" radius (44" diameter) curves.

(15) Atlas True-Track 9" straight
(15) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve
(2) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout
(5) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout
(2) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout
(1) Atlas True-Track bumper
(2) Atlas True-Track 1.5" straight
(3) Atlas True-Track 3" straight
(8) Atlas True-Track R22 22.5° curve
Total of 53 items

Wow! Two trains can be operated independently here, and both run at the same time! The additional 22" curves create another complete loops.

(14) Atlas True-Track 9" straight
(13) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve
(3) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout
(5) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout
(2) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout
(1) Atlas True-Track bumper
(1) Atlas True-Track 1.5" straight
(16) Atlas True-Track R22 22.5° curve
(3) Atlas True-Track 3" straight
(1) Atlas True-Track R18 remote righthand turnout
Total of 59 items

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Our basic 4' by 8' layout. If you wire the sidings as blocks, you can run a long train and a motorized unit (such as a trolley) or short three-car "drill." (12) Atlas True-Track 9" straight (19) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve (2) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout (4) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout (2) Atlas True-Track 6" straight (1) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout (1) Atlas True-Track bumper Total of 41 items	If you use track that has its own roadbed, such as EZ Track or True Track, it is even easier to enjoy scale realism. First prepare the surface by painting and covering with a ground foam, such as fake grass and earth." Make sure to pain in your roads. Then lay your track, wire it ,and add buildings and other scenery. You can have a great HO model railway in a few hours.
Wiring sidings as blocks, the larger siding on top provides room to run two full trains. (17) Atlas True-Track 9" straight (17) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve (2) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout (4) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout (1) Atlas True-Track 6" straight (1) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout (1) Atlas True-Track bumper (1) Atlas True-Track 1.5" straight (1) Atlas True-Track 3" straight Total of 45 items
Here we expand the layout with wide 22" radius (44" diameter) curves. (15) Atlas True-Track 9" straight (15) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve (2) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout (5) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout (2) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout (1) Atlas True-Track bumper (2) Atlas True-Track 1.5" straight (3) Atlas True-Track 3" straight (8) Atlas True-Track R22 22.5° curve Total of 53 items
Wow! Two trains can be operated independently here, and both run at the same time! The additional 22" curves create another complete loops. (14) Atlas True-Track 9" straight (13) Atlas True-Track R18 30° curve (3) Atlas True-Track R18 remote lefthand turnout (5) Atlas True-Track R18 manual righthand turnout (2) Atlas True-Track R18 manual lefthand turnout (1) Atlas True-Track bumper (1) Atlas True-Track 1.5" straight (16) Atlas True-Track R22 22.5° curve (3) Atlas True-Track 3" straight (1) Atlas True-Track R18 remote righthand turnout Total of 59 items