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

All Gauge Model Railroading Page

HO in a Tight Space

Two Layouts with Plenty of Action

These layouts on a 4' by 6' area use the Atlas 15" curves, rather than standard 18". They allow you more action in less space. The trade-off is that you will be unable to run the longer type locomotives such as the Big Boy, Challenger, Centipede and Pennsy T1. Medium and small locomotives are suggested, such as Pacifics, Moguls, Atlantics, EMD F units, GPs, Alco FA RS types, etc.

There are two variants shown.

Once again, we begin with the basic oval on a 4' by 6' area

A pair of switches leads to a passing siding inside the oval

A second pair makes a second siding inside the opposite end of the oval

Variant 1: One more pair allows a larger outside loop around the end of the oval.

Another pair turns the outside loop into an oval This layout is fine for continuous running. One particularly fine theme would be for trolleys and short interurban commuter trains. It makes a good display layout, too

Variant 2: One pair of switches on top leads to a loop on the right and a siding on the left. We use a shorter 6' straight track section in the center of the loop. Below, it extends to a switch and two sidings. Note that on the lower end, the loop is closer to the inner oval and its counterpart shown in Variant 1.
Inside the oval , we have used a switch to make a siding.

Another switch on the top left makes a long siding.

Another switch at the bottom makes a spur to the right. This layout blends switching, point-to-point work and continuous running. There is a lot of potential action packed into this 4' by 6' layout!
Note that the spurs extending outside the loops to the left and right can be points for expansion, should you choose to extend the layout space further.

I initially wrote these layouts with two ideas in mind: maximum action in minimal space, and incremental expansion for the budget-minded young hobbyist. A boy could eventually build the entire layout by adding as his allowance permitted, yet enjoy running it prior to its final form. Whether you have the means to build it all at once, or if you have to add a little at a time, you enjoy running your trains from the start.

Hobbyists on a budget can find free scenery for their HO layouts in the "Free Downloads" section of our main page.

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Once again, we begin with the basic oval on a 4' by 6' area	A pair of switches leads to a passing siding inside the oval
A second pair makes a second siding inside the opposite end of the oval	Variant 1: One more pair allows a larger outside loop around the end of the oval.
Another pair turns the outside loop into an oval This layout is fine for continuous running. One particularly fine theme would be for trolleys and short interurban commuter trains. It makes a good display layout, too	Variant 2: One pair of switches on top leads to a loop on the right and a siding on the left. We use a shorter 6' straight track section in the center of the loop. Below, it extends to a switch and two sidings. Note that on the lower end, the loop is closer to the inner oval and its counterpart shown in Variant 1. Inside the oval , we have used a switch to make a siding.
Another switch on the top left makes a long siding.	Another switch at the bottom makes a spur to the right. This layout blends switching, point-to-point work and continuous running. There is a lot of potential action packed into this 4' by 6' layout! Note that the spurs extending outside the loops to the left and right can be points for expansion, should you choose to extend the layout space further.