4 X 8 HO Scale Trackplans - Model Railroader Magazine

JJ

The others have tried to gently suggest you reconsider your plan for a 2 oval HO track plan on a 4x8.  SpaceMouse points out how boring it is likely to get.

I'm going to approach from a slightly different tack.  Your vision is quite normal for small layouts in Lionel or similar "toy-like" trains.  I went down the same route.  I built an enlarged version (about 5ft x 13ft) of the Atlas Grand Eastern Trunk (HO-25), a 2 track oval 4x8 with a passing siding and yard.  Never got beyond getting the track laid and wiring working because 1) I couldn't see any way to put in effective scenery that looked anything like what I saw in magazines; 2) after a short while, it was even more boring to watch HO trains chase their tails than the Lionel I had previously.  At least the Lionel had the animated accessories to keep my interest.

IMHO, a 4x8 in HO is not capable of looking good running or modeling modern railroad operations.  Train lengths and curve radius just aren't suited for the large cars and engines of modern steam or post 1960s.  Some of the better 4x8 plans work reasonably well for earlier era operations - see Harold Minkwitz's Pacific Coast Air Line Railway () for a great example.  I have successfully used 1920s era and earlier small steam on a 4x8 following the TH&B track plan published in Dec 1967 Model Railroader.  But because of the reversing loop-to-reversing loop design, I would only use this plan in conjunction with DCC.  Another good 4x8 track plan IMHO is Atlas #33, the Plywood Summit Lines.  Phil Carrol's plans he linked to are also quite interesting.  Almost all 4x8 plans are much improved by adding an extension on, such as was done with the Model Railroader project layouts like the PH&C (1962-1963), the Jerome and Southwestern, and the Turtle Creek Central.

If you are interested in modeling modern prototypes or passenger trains in HO, I would strongly recommend a plan like the Heart of Georgia () instead of a 4x8.

just my thoughts, your choices

Fred W