GuilfordRailman
Well-Known Member
I have recently gotten back into the hobby after a few years, and I have discovered I love the concept of micro layouts. I live in a small apartment and so the idea of designing and building one seems very fitting for my current situation. I also feel the challenge of making one will allow some critical thinking and getting those train gears turning again
Over the last few weeks, I have slowly been working on a design that is considered micro in nature but not design, meaning mine actually measures 20" x 33" 660 square inches, slightly more than the standard 576 square inches of maximum space used in a typical micro layout. Having recently completed a modern (1990's) 1' x 4' N scale switching layout, I decided to stick with the same era for this new layout as I can use the same rolling stock and locomotive.
The design below is what I have come up with so far. I will be using Kato Unitrack. The track plan is the same used from the 17" x 30" micro layout designed by Steve from stevestrains.com, just slightly larger. I wasn't comfortable using the same measurements and tight 7.25" radius curves and therefore expanded the layout to my preferred size which allows for 8.5 and 9.8" radius curves as well as 2 #6 turnouts instead of a #6 and #4 compact. The layout will include 2 (or maybe 3) rail served industries. These include a bakery complex and mattress factory with the possibility of a construction materials company as the third industry if included. The mattress factory will be two kits forming the complex with one rail served and the other by truck.
I have decided on 3 building structure kits that will be used for the industries. I will utilize the Woodland Scenics Sicken Tire Co. building for the bakery and both the Woodland Scenics Gripps Luggage manufacturing and Goodnight Mattress Co. buildings to form the overall Mattress factory complex. Other elements of the layout include a small, raised city building portion with a tunnel below and two small bridges.
Over the last few weeks, I have slowly been working on a design that is considered micro in nature but not design, meaning mine actually measures 20" x 33" 660 square inches, slightly more than the standard 576 square inches of maximum space used in a typical micro layout. Having recently completed a modern (1990's) 1' x 4' N scale switching layout, I decided to stick with the same era for this new layout as I can use the same rolling stock and locomotive.
The design below is what I have come up with so far. I will be using Kato Unitrack. The track plan is the same used from the 17" x 30" micro layout designed by Steve from stevestrains.com, just slightly larger. I wasn't comfortable using the same measurements and tight 7.25" radius curves and therefore expanded the layout to my preferred size which allows for 8.5 and 9.8" radius curves as well as 2 #6 turnouts instead of a #6 and #4 compact. The layout will include 2 (or maybe 3) rail served industries. These include a bakery complex and mattress factory with the possibility of a construction materials company as the third industry if included. The mattress factory will be two kits forming the complex with one rail served and the other by truck.
I have decided on 3 building structure kits that will be used for the industries. I will utilize the Woodland Scenics Sicken Tire Co. building for the bakery and both the Woodland Scenics Gripps Luggage manufacturing and Goodnight Mattress Co. buildings to form the overall Mattress factory complex. Other elements of the layout include a small, raised city building portion with a tunnel below and two small bridges.