The Darker Side of The Dark Side

[Larry C]

It has been said that those who model in O scale narrow gauge, specifically On30, have gone to the "dark side" of modeling.

Back around 2009, after a thirty year hiatus, I decided to get back into model railroading knowing I wanted something small that could be completed fairly quickly and "not break the bank." Searching the internet I ran across a website by Carl Ardent called "Micro Layout Scrapbook" which was quite intriguing seeing what could be achieved in a very small space. About the same time I joined a railroad forum called the   "Gnatterbox" which primarily featured Gn15 scale along with some O gauge stuff; everything being narrow gauge . One of the major players there was Ian Holmes. Sadly a few years later Carl passed away as did the forum.

Fast forward to present day and I discovered Ian Holmes has an E-magazine called "Micro Model Layout Dispatch" featuring micro layouts from around the world which is a free quarterly publication.

So.....why am I sharing all of this? Some time ago as I was walking upstairs to the train room when I realized that at some point I may not be able to navigate stairs any longer which would put an end to my modeling days and I knew my current layout was far too large to be moved downstairs onto the first floor. Also if I ever needed to sell our house and move into an apartment the current layout would become a thing of the past. I needed a viable solution for down the road before it was needed.

Now nothing is set in stone, as I'm still mulling things over in the ''ol gray matter" that perhaps a fully contained very small layout might just be the solution.....sort of a micro layout if you will. I was thinking around 36 x 14 inches, two turnouts, a scratch built turntable, and would be modeled in On18 using N-scale track & turnouts. This size would fit downstairs perfectly, or could be moved to a new dwelling, and I could still run some trains as well as doing a little modeling.

I'm curious as to some of your thoughts on an endeavor such as this one so any feedback would be greatly appreciated before I think about venturing into the "Darker side of the dark side."

[Rick]

Larry, sounds like a great idea to me.
I built an On30 layout on a 2' x 3' cork board.
It was part of a challenge project started by Larry (Big Lars) on the RR -L.
Do you remember seeing it and the others on that thread?

[deemery]

it's worth looking at UK layouts that are designed to be portable, taken from show to show.  Maybe start here:  https://www.scarm.info/layouts/track_plans.php  Some of these consist of a main diorama unit, and then some temporary wings that connect track to run around the back and form a loop.  

dave

[Rick]

This site might give you ideas too: https://www.carendt.com/micro-layout-design-gallery/

[Rick]

This was my cork board layout.

[PRR Modeler]

Is a stair lift an alternative?

[Larry C]

Rick yes I do remember that challenge and I certainly remember your cork board layout. Thanks for posting; a "blast from the past". Btw the truck looks familiar.Lol. What ever happened to the layout? Also thanks for the link, I've seen that before but not in a very long time.

Dave thanks for the link, I'll check it out. I have seen others use their designs on FB.

Curt probably not but thanks for the suggestion.

[robert goslin]

Hi Larry. On18 is actually becoming very popular in the O scale NG world.
On FB there are a bunch of guys doing a challenge at the moment to do an On18 "layout" on a 12" bucket lid.
They are coming up with some great ideas & themes.  Dave Meek, Gary Beatty and others are involved

Just on the track.  If the ties wont be visible N scale track should be OK, just remove every 2nd one.
But if you want ties that are closer to O scale, use HOn30 track.  The ties are bigger and have correct spacing.  That's what I used on the On18 portion of my Tequila Ferrocarril layout.

Here is HO, HOn30 & N scale for comparison

[IWannaRetire]

....Fast forward to present day and I discovered Ian Holmes has an E-magazine called "Micro Model Layout Dispatch" featuring micro layouts from around the world which is a free quarterly publication.

Wow, Larry, I just spent some time at https://micromodelrailwaydispatch.com/  Thanks so much for that link!

While the tiny whimsical round and round layouts are certainly fun, some of the highly detailed shelf layouts are truly photogenic in a realistic way.

I will definitely be spending some time there.

This winter I perched a rectangle of plywood over my basement workbench with two chunks of flex track so I can at least look at my models under construction. 

This thread and the details shown on some of the shelf layouts in the Micro Model Railway Dispatch  have me thinking I should develop that chunk of plywood into a shelf layout.



 

[Jerry]

Hell Rick that could have fit in the van!! 

Jerry

[Rick]

Hell Rick that could have fit in the van!! 

Jerry

Nope. After getting the fish tank in there was no room left for the layout. 

[Larry C]

Rob thanks for the information and the photo; I'll have to check out FB later.
As far as track is concerned my thought was to use N scale, remove every 2nd tie was you suggested,
make my own ties and glue the track to them. Once done then I'll nip off the remaining plastic ties
giving me the look I'm going after. It sounds like a lot of extra work but being such a small space
I should be fine. The 2 turnouts will stay the same and be buried a little more than the track.

Mark you're welcome. Spoiler alert: the spring 2025 issue should hit maybe next week. There's some great stuff in the publication and certainly it'll get you thinking; maybe even get you building. Enjoy.

[Jerry]

Turn on the lights it's really dark in here!!

Sounds like your on to something Larry looking forward to whatever you do.

Jerry

[KentuckySouthern]

Cool layout, Rick...great ideas everyone...

HO TDM here...

KS





*^{Too Damned Much}

[Philip]

I can barely re-rail the HO glorified On30 stuff. On18 for me is a no-go. It is way small for my every decreasing vision.

As for moving and downsizing I'd stick to On30. For me the On18 variety is lacking and the 1st generation stuff is toyish looking.

However I know Les Davis will fill the current void and be producing some fine prime movers. See photo. Requires a Kato chassis.