Delorean1984

Many thanks again for your help, I still feel I'd like to do some gentle gradients somewhere but like you say can do it other way like in Alex layout. Is there an easy way or simple way of building a gradient and it's supports? Is there any particular track you recommend? Seems a minefield, Peco seems to be way to go rather than Hornby and there's loads of variations too. I'm thinking of going DCC too but should I consider DC instead?

Thank you very much for the photo, mine will be in same place against garage wall like yours, probably why it's similar in length. You've even got same garage door as me too. Although I'll be using it I am making it for my daughter to have fun with and play with, the operating space in the middle is great idea and she can stand on something to be able to play with the trains and layout, like you say 00 is maybe more child friendly, I can always do an n guage layout later in future when she is older. Yup decided on plywood, my father in law is going to help build the baseboard table. Will have a think on the height of it. As I've only got a Mac I will have a play around in Railmoddler now I know my space. This leads me to my next question on how to control it, DCC or DC, what's your thoughts?

Also one other question I've thought of but what is general rule of thumb for height of layouts? Is it about 900mm?

Just remeasured the space and I definitely can go to 4ft 6 wide and probably 5ft with a bit of movement in the garage.

Just another thought, if I went with having board while 4ft without a hole, it probably will be too wide to stretch over when building, is it possible to put wheels on the bottom of the layout legs so can pull it away from the wall or this a really bad idea? Thank you everyone for advice and help. A circular/circuit layout is way I want to go and also different levels too. Is it worth going for layouts already out there in books or design my own?

Can't really go much wider really but like you said and others a hole in middle might work if I can make it fit. Yup I'll go for Peco stuff. Hopefully will get to a show at somepoint. Is that an 8ft long hole by 18 or 24 inch? Would I not loose a lot of the board with hole this size? Might be able to go to 4ft6 or 5ft, will have a remeasure in the morning. I think there is a better second hand market for OO and better for a newbie like me.

Can't really go much wider really but like you said and others a hole in middle might work if I can make it fit. Yup I'll go for Peco stuff. Hopefully will get to a show at somepoint. Is that an 8ft long hole by 18 or 24 inch? Would I not loose a lot of the board with hole this size? Might be able to go to 4ft6 or 5ft, will have a remeasure in the morning. I think there is a better second hand market for OO and better for a newbie like me.

Can't really go much wider really but like you said and others a hole in middle might work if I can make it fit. Yup I'll go for Peco stuff. Hopefully will get to a show at somepoint. Is that an 8ft long hole by 18 or 24 inch? Would I not loose a lot of the board with hole this size? Might be able to go to 4ft6 or 5ft, will have a remeasure in the morning. I think there is a better second hand market for OO and better for a newbie like me.

Ah don't confuse me, I'm only joking. How long for someone with little experience and new to hobby to do n guage layout in this size? I'm just wondering if OO is better for a beginner like me. My daughter is only 2 and half so similar age to your son, she just likes watching them go round.

Thank you, not thought of this design with hinges and hole in the middle. Do you mind me asking if the middle board with the hole in 6ft wide? Basically I'm asking is the hole dimensions 6ft by 2.5ft? Would you mind putting the dimensions on the diagram.

Yes it will be against a wall in a garage. Is there no way of being able to stretch over in order to build the layout? I suppose I could have access all round and have it pulled out during building? Is there any way or suggestions around this problem? What about having a cut out hole in the middle although I don't think that will work either. I did think about doing two 6 X 4 boards just incase I need to move it in future. I feel that OO would be easier to work with but I would get more detail in N Guage. Thanks for the tips on design, I've got an iMac and it seems track software isn't available for mac so probably have to draw it.

Hey everyone. I've decided to make a layout as my young daughter is really into trains and it would be something we would both enjoy. I'm a complete newbie and novice to this hobby so go easy on me ;-). The space I have to work with would be s baseboard size of 12ft X 4ft. I'm thinking of going for N guage as I can get more on a board that size than say OO guage. I also don't mind going OO guage but not sure if it would be bit cramped on a board this size? Anyone care to share a photo of their layouts that are similar in size to mine, both you OO and N Guage layouts in order for me to get an idea of how it would look and of course some inspiration. Theme wise I'm thinking of a 90s or modern urban theme although I've been told urban theme in N Guage would take me forever although not too phased by that as it would be fairly long term project. Only other thing I thought of is urban/rural mix might work. Also is sketching down rough layout on paper a good way to get layout ideas?