Layout Planning

David K. Smith, builder of the famous "Worlds Smallest Layout", had an article on his N scale blog (he has one on Z and one on T scales as well) about the familiar 4x8 layout.

Many layout designers are attempting to break away from the traditional 4x8 sheet, for good reason. A 4x8 takes up much more room than it's size would suggest, and in the long run it would be better to spread that 4x8 into smaller chunks around the perimeter of a room rather than smack dab in the middle because it gives you much more usable space in the room. Only one aisle is needed for around-the-room layouts, while aisle space is needed all the way around a 4x8, so right away a 4x8 adds another 2 1/2 to 3 feet along each side (5 to 6 feet to both dimensions), meaning a 4x8 will actually require at least a 9x13 foot room to operate.

David notes that, despite the drawbacks, the 4x8 track plans remain very popular going by the number of hits he gets on his track plans link. He speculates, and I believe he is correct, that the primary reason for the popularity of a 4x8 is quite simply the fact that is what size a standard sheet of plywood comes in.

However, there is a different reason that I can see why a 4x8 remains popular. This is based solely upon my own observation as I try to come up with a new plan for the Path Valley. I want my minimum standard gauge curves to be 15" or better because I have a Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation and a Model Power Pacific that I want to run on it; my current layout has the toy train 9 3/4" curves and these locomotives just won't run on them.

To have the minimum 15" curves on an around-the-room type layout I have to put balloons at each end measuring at least 3x3. These balloons are too large to reach across to get to the back corners, so access holes have to be cut in them. Worse, the balloon that would be needed in the middle of my particular plan would have to be made big enough to pass a line along the front, so it would have to be even bigger than the ends. This creates even more problems for reaching the narrow gauge line in the case of derailments or mishaps, the upper level of which would be atop the standard gauge return loop (which would itself be hidden by scenery).

It's much easier to put large radius curves at each end of a 4x8, although it decreases the overall area you have for actual layout elements along the sides. If you lay N scale track in an HO scale footprint you get a nice 19" curve that looks great and any locomotive can handle. You will only get 4-5 feet in the middle of each side to put the rest of your railroad if you don't want to resort to a "spaghetti bowl" look, but at least the curves are nice and big, and you don't have to worry about special wiring for end loops and the like.

Each setup has it's own pros and cons, but the advantages of the tried-and-true 4x8 (ease of build, simplicity in track plans) will assure that it will remain a favorite, particularly among beginning modelers. And truthfully, what's wrong with that?