Layout Designs

© Geren W Mortensen

Geren W. Mortensen writes: “Some time ago, I was challenged to design a small, potentially portable, On30 layout that would provide interesting operation, and continuous running for display purposes. The result was something I called The Little Layout. The track plan turned out to be 3 feet by 8 feet, which is just the right size to fit on the tables provided at many train shows. The plan is my expansion of the now-famous Snowshoe and Gumstump track plan, also known as the original Gila Pacific.”

Geren’s website used to have an in-depth history of this plan (showing its evolution to the final form, plus a couple of suggestions for expanding the plan to fit a 5′ by 9′ baseboard). Geren’s converted this to a PDF file and has kindly agreed to me hosting a copy here (238kb file).

This layout offers out-and-back operation and is intended to be put into practice in 009/H0n3 or a similar gauge. If offers a small terminus at the top level (top right on the plan) from which trains depart, dropping out of sight before emerging a seaside through station (bottom left). Trains that continue into the tunnel either come out at a dockside goods yard (bottom right) or go around the hidden loop and come back out of the tunnel ready to stop again at the beachside station before heading on up to the terminus.

Sunny Bay © Emrys Hopkins

The layout is designed to fit on two 4′ x 2′ boards for portability. Dotted lines indicate hidden tracks. The minimum radius on the plan is 7″ (the curve to the very left of the plan). The reversing loop has a 9″ radius.

Possible improvements: Where should I start?! A sector plate underneath the terminus to replace the reversing loop would allow a greater variety of rolling stock (as well as making the wiring easier!). I would suggest that a purely scenic board be added to the front of the layout showing the headland (with a lighthouse?) between the beach station and the dock scene.

Norfolk & Adair © Emrys Hopkins

Two layouts in one here - on one side of the central viewblock is the town of Norfolk with a few small industries, minimal engine servicing area and a passenger depot. On the other side is Adair Junction, where a logging line joins the branch line. Adair Junction is heavily influenced by the famous Gumstump and Snowshoe layout, but I’m not aware of any particular influence over Norfolk.

Norfolk station

The unusual aspect of this plan is that it’s designed to stick out from the corner of a room. The two staging areas go against the walls and - thanks to the double slip - trains can be brought out of one “yard”, run around the layout as many times as you like and then sent away to the other staging area.

Adair Junction

Apologies for the poor quality of the plan - I’ll re-post it when I get around to drawing up a better version.

Caledonia Junction © Emrys Hopkins

This plan was been inspired by the gift of a ‘00′ gauge train set to go with my 009 rolling stock. I felt that I would be struggling to build a station at which the Caledonian would have stopped, but I could put together a fictitious station through which the train may have been diverted due to engineering works …. I know it’s a bit thin - can you think of a better justification?

Anyway, the layout is simple an oval with hidden storage tracks, a looped though station with a couple of goods sidings and headshunts and a narrow gauge feeder line bringing down passengers and goods to the standard gauge. Minimum radii are 18″ on the standard gauge and 11″ for the narrow gauge line (surprisingly generous for me!).

Possible improvements: The next version of the plan will have a straighter standard gauge station. I’ll probably drop the narrow gauge line nearest the standard gauge station so that the NG station faces “north” rather than facing the standard gauge station building. Overall, though, I’m fairly happy with the plan.

Adair Junction, Version 8 © Emrys Hopkins

I have posted two versions of the layout here - only minor differences, though, so please take a look at each version if you’re serious considering building this plan.

Adair Junction, Version 9 © Emrys Hopkins