Yet another sweeping generalization...

Last night I was Googling "Alkali Central," hoping to find more information on the railroad I have decided to build. One of the sites I found had a really good article on comparing (among other things) the operational potential of different model railroads. I was really enjoying reading the page, when all of the sudden I cam across this paragraph about the Alkali Central:

This layout has a serious problem: no passing sidings. Notice the dispatching threshold stat tells us immediately that ANY cars on the main OWN the main, period. Who needs a dispatcher when you can run only one train at a time? This is definitely a beginner's layout and not one for anyone interested in advancing into realistic multitrain operation. The Soo Red Wing Division is a much better layout for a beginner with future growth in mind since its operation potential is far greater.

Huh????? Ignoring the fact that the track plane has TWO locations that can be used for train meets (OK, they're not "passing sidings"), where is it carved in stone that in order to be "realistic" a layout has to allow Class One style train meets? The Alkali Central models a short line servicing a mine in the desert. How much does it need a passing siding? But, it doesn't have one, so anyone choosing to build this railroad is a "beginner," incapable of "advancing into realistic... operation." After all, even branch lines ALL need to do train meets, or operation is just unrealistic, right? Next time I'll discuss several ways to operate this layout. You HAVE to do train meets to be "realistic?" I don't think so.

Cheers,
Ken

So many layouts to choose from....

Unlike "around the walls" style layouts, which almost always have to be custom designed to fit the room their actually going in (how many people have rooms that are "exactly" 8 x 10, 10 x 14, or whatever with no windows and closet doors to worry about?), there are a plethora of excellent 4 x 8 track plans that you can build and run as published (of course, there is nothing to prevent you from exercising your creativity and modifying your chosen plan).
In fact, when it comes to great 4 x 8 track plans, there is almost an embarrassment of riches - which can lead to the only problem that comes with building a 4 x 8 - with so many excellent choices, which one should you build? You might start off with one of the timeless classics, such as HO Railroad That Growsor John Allen's Gorre & Daphetid. Maybe you have Kalmbach's 101 Track Plansor 48 Top Notch Track Plans. It can be overwhelming.
The selecting a good model railroad depends on several factors:

• What prototype do you like?
• What type of equipment do you want to run?
  
• What kind of scenery (desert, mountains, city, etc.) do you prefer?
• What "style" of layout (toy-like or prototypical)?
• Do you prefer operation or just watching the trains run?
• How much modeling experience do you have?
• Will the layout be in the house or the garage?

Once you have determined these factors, it becomes much easier to select a design to build. For example, if this is your first layout, or it will be located in your garage or other high traffic area, it's probably best to start out with a simpler design. If you want to run big equipment, a design like the Gorre & Dephetid wouldn't be a good choice.
Over the next few weeks I'm going to be reviewing a lot of excellent 4 x 8 layout designs, giving you an overview of type, style, appropriate equipment, experience level recommended, and where to get the track plan. After the series, you should have an easy time choosing a track plan to build. I hope you'll enjoy reading the series as much as I'm going to enjoy writing it.

Cheers,
Ken

Common Misconceptions about 4 x 8 layouts

When reading forum posts about 4 x 8 layouts (i.e. on modelrailroader.com, the same tired old misconceptions about 4 x 8 layouts seem to come up again and again:

• The only reason 4 x 8 layouts are popular is because 4 x 8 sheets of plywood are commonly available. Pure BS. The reason 4 x 8 layouts are popular is because they are so clearly superior to all other layout planforms. Think about it. Hollow core doors are just as easily available as 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, cost less, and are easier to transport and work with. If availability and convenience were the driving factors in popularity, layouts built on hollow core doors would be much more popular than 4 x 8 layouts. They're not.
• The reason beginners like 4 x 8 layouts is they lack the skill to build open bench work. Huh? Who said you have to build a 4 x 8 layout on a flat table? Open framework is fine. The important factor is the 4 x 8 planform, not the method of construction.
• Real trains don't run around in circles. Well, I beg to differ - sometimes they do. But on that train of thought, real railroads also don't run from one large yard, over a very short stretch of main line, to another yard. Real trains don't have 3 engines on point and a couple of helpers in the middle of a 40 car trains. Real cities aren't filled with people frozen in place. Real roads aren't filled with immobile cars. The point is, all model railroads have certain aspects that aren't truly realistic.
• The 4 x 8 planform is too limiting. Well, unless you're building a layout in a football stadium, you're going to have limitations compared to prototype railroads. In fact, even if you are building in a football stadium you're going to be limited by time and money.
• A 4 x 8 takes up just as much room as... Again, pure BS. In fact, this statement is Soooo untrue that it barely even deserves a response. The figures I've seen bandied about range from 8 x 10 all the way up to 10 x 14 - those being the room dimensions "required" to actually be able to operate the 4 x 8. I mean, c'mon, you "need" a 10 x 14 room to put it, so why limit yourself to a 4 x 8 foot table in the middle of the room? Yeah, right. I've got news for these geniuses. A 4 x 8 takes up exactly 32 square feet when not in use. In fact, since it can easily be moved, it might just take up zero (zip, zilch, nada) space when not in use. Try that with your fancy 8 x 10 or larger "around the walls" layout.
  

There you go, 5 common misconceptions regarding 4 x 8 layouts debunked.

Cheers,
Ken

Why 4 x 8?

Why not? Building a model railroad on a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood is one of the quickest ways to get up and running. Is convenience the only reason? Not by a long shot. Excellent railroads have been built on a 4 x 8, even in scales larger than HO. I started this blog because I got tired of reading self anointed experts disparaging anyone who expresses interest in building a 4 x 8.

Cheers,
Ken