Help me design a 4 X 8 HO layout for my 6-year old, please...

[sparky]

Alright, I consider myself an above-average modeler, but a terrible track planner.  My son is itching to graduate from wooden trains to a real layout.  I've searched the usual sites, but nothing really grabs me.  I know a lot of you guys are great track planners, so I'm turning to you for help.  A simple sketch is fine, this doesn't have to be drawn in CAD.  This layout will be built, and in the very near future.  I will document progress here on The Railwire.

Here are the specifics:

     My son has already started his HO collection, so the scale is locked in.  Plus, HO is just plain easier for a little kid to handle and run reliably.
     4' X 8' only please; layout will have full access on all sides and be on a rolling table with casters, so  "L" shapes are not practical at this time.
     I would like an over/under somewhere with at least 1 bridge and a tunnel for scenic interest.
     A skyboard down the middle of the layout, either straight or angled to provide separate views on either side of the table.
     A passing siding would be nice, but not necessary.
     A couple of small industries for simple operations.

Remember, this is a 6-year old's first layout, so please use the KISS principle.  The layout will see very limited operations, but a lot of roundy-round.  I also want to keep the budget low, with a reasonable amount of turnouts and structures.  I would like to add scenic interest like hills and a river.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Michael says:

[asciibaron]

have you looked at the layouts the Gateway NMRA has been doing?

http://www.gatewaynmra.org/project.htm




-Steve

[sparky]

Steve- yes, I have looked at those, and they're really good.  Most of them are 4' X 6', so they could be really nice stretched to 4' X 8'.  I just thought I could get some input from the really good designers here too.

[JDouglasFisher]

did you ever get a response?

J...

[ednadolski]

The Alkali Central from MR sounds close:

Basic model railroading: We build the Alkali Central, part 1
Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby   Book icon page 60
Article also published in Model Railroader, December 1995, page 100
( BEGINNER, "KELLY, JIM", LAYOUT, TRACKPLAN, CONSTRUCTION, HO )

We build the Alkali Central, part 2: scenery, structures
Basic Model Railroading: Getting Started in the Hobby   Book icon page 66
Article also published in Model Railroader, January 1996, page 90
( BEGINNER, "KELLY, JIM", LAYOUT, SCENERY, STRUCTURE, TRACKPLAN, CONSTRUCTION, HO )

Building Haffa Mine for the Alkali Central
Model Railroader, January 1996 page 96
( "CURREN, ART", KITBASH, MINE, CONSTRUCTION, MR )

[DKS]

Guess this one was a no-go?



Need more ideas?

[sparky]

Guess this one was a no-go?

Not at all, David.  I really like that plan, and we'll hopefully begin construction in the next few weeks.  Unfortunately, two of my co-workers are out on FMLA while receiving chemotherapy ( :-[).  I've been absolutely swamped at work.  I think I forgot to mention I closed my business and went back to work for "The Man".  Almost the same money and half the hours, plus ZERO stress!

The only change I forsee is possibly swapping the over/under at the top.

[Guilford Guy]

Swapping the Over/Under would leave you with a grade on the passing siding/runaround if you choose to include that.

[sparky]

Swapping the Over/Under would leave you with a grade on the passing siding/runaround if you choose to include that.

Hmmm... Good point.  I'll have to rethink that one.  Thanks.

[DKS]

The only change I forsee is possibly swapping the over/under at the top.

This would also place the track that runs along the edge of the layout above the track that runs behind it, which would be awkward. It was designed so the track that curves around the end of the backdrop and passes the town/industry in th elower half of the plan is elevated above the rest, which makes the scenery rise toward the backdrop.