I'm looking for small 009 layout that will fit into the first generation Smart For2. It can be no bigger than 36"x 22"x 12"(91cm x 56cm x 30cm) to fit comfortably in the boot. Ideally complete and scenic circular track plan with passing loops and sidings, however, an incomplete project would be considered. Locos and stock not essential, as I already have some. Also I have suitable non-feedback controllers, but if controllers are built in, that would be acceptable.
Tod
We have also found that eBay often has new pine boxes with hinged lids in 40 x 40 cm. We used one of these for Green Pond Mine. It should be noted though that such a small layout may result in fairly tight radii. GPM has 4 inch curves but is of course industrial so that is fine - do not expect Peco coaches to run, even bug boxes!
I would be surprised if you could include a passing loop in this tight space although we did fit in a siding.
It does of course depend on what you intend to do and what you plan to model - good luck
Quote from: Tod Sloan on June 02, 2018, 17:56
I'm looking for small 009 layout that will fit into the first generation Smart For2. It can be no bigger than 36"x 22"x 12"(91cm x 56cm x 30cm) to fit comfortably in the boot. Ideally complete and scenic circular track plan with passing loops and sidings, however, an incomplete project would be considered. Locos and stock not essential, as I already have some. Also I have suitable non-feedback controllers, but if controllers are built in, that would be acceptable.
Tod
For something with such a specific footprint I suspect finding something ready made will be very difficult, unless you were to commission someone to make it.
If you did decide to go down the DIY route I'd have thought that if you have a timber merchant nearby (if any have survived the onslaught of B&Q and their ilk) you may be able to find a piece of thin plywood (6mm or so) or MDF (similar thickness) the right size as an offcut for little (or no) cost along with some timber (inch square would do the trick) to make a framework to stiffen the board.
With a 22" wide board and a need for an oval of track the radius can be no more than 10" (to give a little margin for stock to come off the rails and land on the baseboard not the floor!), but that would only give you 8" of straight section between the end curves and that's not a lot of room to get a passing loop in - I've got locos that are longer than that :o - so I'd suggest buying some points (the Peco 009 set track ones with a 9" radius may be the way to go) and some small wagons to help with laying everything out on the board to make sure the clearances are OK for running the stock and to avoid too many sharp curves and doglegs. Another option would be to hand-build the track and points (if you are feeling brave - though trackbuilding isn't as hard as some people would believe) as then you are not limited to what Peco make and if you need double curved points for the ends of the loops then you can make them rather than end up with kinks from trying to fit the track plan around Peco's offerings.
I hope that helps rather than puts you off...
Quote from: JulienW on June 18, 2018, 08:36to give a little margin for stock to come off the rails and land on the baseboard not the floor!
Spoilsport... :)
It's a case of been there, done that, repaired the loco! :laugh:
Thanks for your comments folks, I was being over hopeful. I did see some very small layouts at and exhibition a couple of years ago hat gave me some ideas. One I think was by Ted Polet. It had a different scenic view both sides. Luckily I took photos of it plus other very small layouts "Y" shaped that were the competition challenge for that year. I have all the skills and knowledge to make a high standard layout, including making track, but time is limited as I have many other projects to complete. So for now, that idea will be put on the back burner.
Thanks again,
Toe
Quote from: Tod Sloan on June 19, 2018, 14:34
Thanks for your comments folks, I was being over hopeful. I did see some very small layouts at and exhibition a couple of years ago hat gave me some ideas. One I think was by Ted Polet. It had a different scenic view both sides. Luckily I took photos of it plus other very small layouts "Y" shaped that were the competition challenge for that year. I have all the skills and knowledge to make a high standard layout, including making track, but time is limited as I have many other projects to complete. So for now, that idea will be put on the back burner.
Thanks again,
Toe
I think the layout you're thinking of is Ted's 'Nixnie' and it sounds as though it was ExpoNG (with either the 2016 fork or 2013 triangular Dave Brewer challenge layouts?). Hopefully Ted will see this thread and remind us of the radius he used on Nixnie. In the space you've got there is room for 9 or 10 inch radius curves so getting a continuous run in isn't a problem in itself, but I agree with Julien's comment about the straight section being a bit short - you could probably have a single ended siding but not a passing loop. Have you considered an end-to-end or shunting layout? I just think you might get more in like this. What stock are you likely to be using?
Danny
Following on from Danny's comment Tod if you have 12" of height to play with you could have a 2 board layout and stack them in the boot for transport, or make a folding layout. This would mean that your baseboard area options could be a long narrow layout - 6 feet long by 22" wide - that would make a very good terminus to fiddleyard design (have a look at John Bruce's current layout - I think it's called Vale Quarry), or by jointing the long side you'd get a 36" by 44" (3' by 3'8") layout that would be more than enough for a generous oval of track with a small station (loop and a couple of sidings) at the front and something off scene round the back - I'd suggest a cassette fiddleyard as part of the loop at the back to give maximum flexibility in the minimum footprint.
The thread about Ted's Nixnie is here
http://www.009society.com/forum/index.php?topic=883.0
According to the first post the radius is 19.5 cm I think.
Frank
Thanks for yet more suggestions and info, especially the details of "Nixnie". It would fit my car perfectly, but it still comes down to the issue of time and opportunity to make something similar. So unless a complete or nearly comes up for sale then I must forget about it for now and get on with all the other stuff, which is not all railway related. Domestic priorities seem to go to the top of the list!! Strange that, but cest la vie, que sera sera and all that!
Thanks again for all the advice, much appreciated,
Tod