Building a layout with limited resources

So many factors come into play when it comes to building a model railway, including space, time and a budget to buy materials, track and scenery. It’s a potentially expensive endeavour to undertake, so how can costs be kept under control? Small or compact layouts are one answer, but can they deliver the same fun and satisfaction as a large one?

AS MODELLERS look at their household finances against a backdrop of high inflation, building a model railway might seem to be a poor decision to make when money is tight. However, for most of us, that desire to model is an itch than needs to be scratched from time to time.

Limited cash does not necessarily mean that a layout cannot be constructed as an intermediate project to keep up skill levels, and to practice new techniques in preparation for a larger layout when better times come round again.

Is big necessarily better?

Naturally, the larger the layout, the more money it will absorb over its construction phase because the price per square foot changes little the larger it becomes. Yet the temptation to go as large as possible is always difficult to resist and sometimes results in a project that cannot be completed due to time constraints and expense, ultimately wasting money and causing dissatisfaction with the hobby.

The obvious route to take is to build something small and compact. This may well suit the available space in most homes and aiming for something that can be constructed in the corner of a comfortable room rather than something large in a loft, outbuilding or garage may be more rewarding.

Rising energy costs makes the heating of energy inefficient spaces such as garages and lofts more expensive anyway, making building a compact layout within the home with central heating more attractive, as long as floor coverings and furniture are protected from the inevitable mess. Most of the required joinery could be undertaken out of doors.

Advantages of small layouts

Limited space layouts will concentrate the mind when it comes to deciding a theme, era and what is to be run on it. Very satisfying modelling can be achieved in a small space and with good operating potential too.

Small layouts can be highly detailed, yet only need a fraction of the track, wiring, locomotives and stock to operate them satisfactorily, keeping costs down. In many respects, the enjoyment factor per square foot of baseboard can be many times greater with a compact layout compared to something considerably larger (based on experience). More time can be spent on finishing rolling stock, structures and scenery, and small does not preclude the use of prototype locations as inspiration.

A part-station theme is one option. Model just two platforms of a larger station or the station throat. Apply the same idea to a freight yard or model just a single industrial customer. When completed, a shadow box, good lighting using inexpensive LED strips and some finishing of the baseboards will give the model a neat appearance suitable for display in the home.

‘N’ versus ‘OO’ gauge

‘N’ gauge (2mm, 1:148 scale) suits limited space layout design admirably, not only for the greater amount of railway that can be fitted in a given

space, but the smaller scale means that more landscape and structures can be incorporated too.

At one time it was more challenging to achieve the reliability of operation required for a compact ‘N’ gauge layout which might have to rely on shunting and slow speed running for most of its operation, although this situation has dramatically improved over the years. Couplings are a factor too in such layout designs. Nonetheless, the improvement in ‘N’ gauge in the last two decades, together with more refined mechanisms, no longer pushes ‘N’ gauge out of the compact layout scenario.

Less ‘OO’ gauge (4mm, 1:76 scale) equipment can be fitted in the same area, but a higher degree of detailing can be achieved with structures and rollingstock. Less rolling stock is needed too; and the superb loco and multiple unit models released in recent times are capable of such refined running that slow speed operations can be achieved with minimal effort.

One notable point is the divergence in the cost of new models in ‘N’ and

‘OO’ gauge. At one time, ‘N’ gauge was the more expensive scale. This has changed and it is possible to collect good quality locomotive models for less than £100 by shopping around. Older designs are also easy to find and apart from having to find ways to install decoders, they can be detailed and painted to a high standard.

Build it in phases

WHEN doodling with pencil and paper at the concept stage, give consideration of how the compact layout could be extended with a phase 2 and even a phase 3 in the future or how it could be incorporated into a larger layout design when space and money are less of a challenge. In other words, ‘future-proof’ it!

Discipline and focus

One important point about controlling costs in the hobby at any time is to remain focussed on the chosen project. In order to make this work, careful research and planning is required to ensure the chosen prototype railway and scene can fit in the given space convincingly, with the inevitable compression.

Modelling a theme and era you are familiar with, and to which you can relate to, will help maintain focus. Stick with the design once established, and your given era too, to keep the choice of rolling stock contained and within manageable levels. Don’t become distracted and build the layout up as planned, making adjustments as lessons are learned during construction. Avoid excessive changes which will stack up additional cost. The need to make expensive changes can be avoided through careful layout planning and design before plywood is even cut.

The featured ‘N’ gauge layout was built during 2014 to these principles to

keep costs under tight control. Inspired by Cornish china clay country, it started as a theme which could support BR blue era operations in addition to 1988-1994 Railfreight-era china clay trains. The two eras were selected only because the rolling stock was already to hand in the collection, although choosing a single era when starting from scratch is better. The layout focus is further controlled by concentrating on the one industry: china clay extraction and the trains that service it. The temptation to add a separate coal yard, cement terminal, fertiliser store and other industries was resisted.

The layout was constructed for less than £200, excluding the rolling stock and control system (the control system is shared with several other compact layouts). It was finished to a basic standard and operated for a number of years for a little fun. It has reached the stage where it needs some attention following a period of storage. Some rough spots from its original construction need to be tidied up, the fascia repainting grey and further detailing, now more funds can be allocated to it.

It will be fun to add some additional rolling stock and upgrade certain elements to further enhance its operation.

Finally, Wheal Annah was built with an extension in mind and that is one of the projects planned for the near future.

The featured layout was constructed in 12 months during 2014. It is both a portable layout for use at home and to be taken to shows for display and operation. The scenic section is a mere 40in (1000mm) long and 24in (600mm) deep at the widest point. An additional 8in (200mm) of off-scene area was added to the left to accommodate the layout’s control system. The main staging is fitted to the right.

Compact layouts operated with minimal rollingstock are not boring to run – in fact they can be quite absorbing. The Poole-designed Graham Farish Class 25 could be detailed and weathered as a low cost project. It seems to be getting into a tangle in the deceptively simplelooking track layout with just eight wagons. How are the three clay hood wagons going to be recovered?

Compact layouts demand careful planning. Will the passing loop be long enough? Is there sufficient space for shunting? Where are the main structures going to be placed? Experimenting with track and rollingstock will answer these questions, but do not overcrowd the layout.

The layout is called Wheal Annah following typical naming of china clay dries in Cornwall. This compact ‘N’ gauge layout was first featured in Hornby Magazine and built to a tight schedule resulting in some rough spots that need further attention.