My first H0 layout was 1,5x1 meter, and it was a very light board which I could put on the dining table and then remove it when not in use. That being not super practical I made a new permanent layout of 1,85x1,05 meter. However I felt it was sitting in the way, so I removed it and went back to a removable layout. This time I took a preformed plastic layout by Noch (1,40x1 meter). It is super light, and I can carry it with one hand. The same goes for my H0 UK layout which is a ready made Lima layout (0,95 x 0,85 meter). On both layouts I worked with very light landscape elements such as foam, brown paper on metal wire, and light cardboard buildings. No plaster or other heavy constructions. Indeed working in modules is probably an even better solution and it gives you even the possibility to change the order or setup of your landscape. Great video!
That Lima plastic layout is a brilliantly designed unit. A friend of mine as a kid had one and I remember being amazed how it fit on a kitchen table. A real continuous run layout with sidings. The tight Lima radius curves made that possible. Then could be stored hung on a wall. You never read reviews of such products like that and the Noch and Kibri ones in the model train magazines. There was definitely an elitistism involved.
@@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies That's right, as if these plastic layouts are not for real modelers. With some modifications they can be great and they are so handy because they truly are lightweight. Also, the thin plastic preformed board is handy for installing wires for lights etc.
Great video. I started a few years ago making 9" x 9" modules on 1" insulation foam, with 9" HO track, & a 2nd hand locomotive. The results were pretty ropey and nothing runs very well on them, but it was a great way to learn modelling without spending too much. It also taught me what types of trains I like, so my current layout is a 600mm x 600mm 1:24 15" narrow gauge (Gn15) town scene. Ready to run rolling stock is way outside my budget so building a fantasy narrow gauge train on a cheap HO chassis is perfect for me. Thanks for the video. Kev. ps Tabletop Railroad is trying out hexagon shaped modules, which are worth a look.
Great point. I'm a wargamer starting my first railway. I agree this is a great approach. Modular scenery then you can pack it away. I made my baseboard modular to so it fits on my dining table.
Great video !!! Reminds me of how I started my first Marklin layout in the basement of my parents home in Germany about 50 years ago. It grew from a 1.5 x 1 m oval to a L-shaped 120 sq ft layout...
@@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies Maybe I need to try it. However, at the moment I don't think I am too much into the building of landscape, buildings, kits etc., and enjoy more running trains...
@@railway187 It was actually 1.5 x 1 m that grew into a 6 x 1 m one side and about 3 x 1 m on the shorter side of an L-shape. Unfortunately, I have no pictures. My current C-track layout is 144 x 46 inches and the smaller M-track layout is about 150 x 90 cm...
I got into the hobby a few years ago (here in America). I was able to get my father-in-laws old 4x6 layout. I realized that this was too big. I made a few 2 foot by 14” deep modules. This was fine, but still too large to work on at the bench. I am now using this premolded track and making small scenic elements. These are much easier to work on and get completed. I like the small HO steam, but have recently been thinking of going to HOn30. I can still use it with my Ho buildings and scenery. I can even incorporate both track sizes at the same time on a future layout. For the HOn30 engines I am going to change the cabs on my N gauge trains and then add HO scale details and People.
@6:07 We did the Kato -mini-diorama for National Train Day at the Cleburne Railroad Museum this year. We sold the modules as a fundraiser; people then decorated them and brought them back. We then assembled them into a "layout" and ran a train on it. The resulting "layout" turned out great; but it is hard to find them on Kato's website and they are $20-30 a module on ebay; a bit pricey way to create a layout. We are not sure what we are going to do next year.
The Kato modules are expensive and perhaps over engineered even if the are excellent. An oval of hard foam the lenght of the set track piece would be enough. That dense heavy packing foam is ideal. I'm surprised more manufacturers have not run with the idea. It would be cheap to make and people would love it.
I don't have space for a permanent layout, so I opted for an 80x160 cm lightweight plywood base board, that, when not in use, is stored behind my studio door. It's formed by two 80x80 cm squares, calculated to be able to put them in my saloon car boot to get them home. I'll use your modular system to make the removable outer track.
Tillig do pre-ballasted TT track. I think it's on licence from Kato because it uses the same unijoiners (rail joiners). I use it for the new British TT:120 and for HOm, it's really useful and comes in two forms - concrete or wooden sleepers (ties).
My first H0 layout was 1,5x1 meter, and it was a very light board which I could put on the dining table and then remove it when not in use. That being not super practical I made a new permanent layout of 1,85x1,05 meter. However I felt it was sitting in the way, so I removed it and went back to a removable layout. This time I took a preformed plastic layout by Noch (1,40x1 meter). It is super light, and I can carry it with one hand. The same goes for my H0 UK layout which is a ready made Lima layout (0,95 x 0,85 meter). On both layouts I worked with very light landscape elements such as foam, brown paper on metal wire, and light cardboard buildings. No plaster or other heavy constructions. Indeed working in modules is probably an even better solution and it gives you even the possibility to change the order or setup of your landscape.
Great video!
That Lima plastic layout is a brilliantly designed unit. A friend of mine as a kid had one and I remember being amazed how it fit on a kitchen table. A real continuous run layout with sidings. The tight Lima radius curves made that possible. Then could be stored hung on a wall.
You never read reviews of such products like that and the Noch and Kibri ones in the model train magazines. There was definitely an elitistism involved.
@@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies That's right, as if these plastic layouts are not for real modelers. With some modifications they can be great and they are so handy because they truly are lightweight. Also, the thin plastic preformed board is handy for installing wires for lights etc.
Great video. I started a few years ago making 9" x 9" modules on 1" insulation foam, with 9" HO track, & a 2nd hand locomotive. The results were pretty ropey and nothing runs very well on them, but it was a great way to learn modelling without spending too much. It also taught me what types of trains I like, so my current layout is a 600mm x 600mm 1:24 15" narrow gauge (Gn15) town scene. Ready to run rolling stock is way outside my budget so building a fantasy narrow gauge train on a cheap HO chassis is perfect for me. Thanks for the video. Kev. ps Tabletop Railroad is trying out hexagon shaped modules, which are worth a look.
Thanks just subscribed
Great point. I'm a wargamer starting my first railway. I agree this is a great approach. Modular scenery then you can pack it away.
I made my baseboard modular to so it fits on my dining table.
Good points. 👍
Start small and build up.
Learn as you go.
Happy Modelling
Great video !!! Reminds me of how I started my first Marklin layout in the basement of my parents home in Germany about 50 years ago. It grew from a 1.5 x 1 m oval to a L-shaped 120 sq ft layout...
Tt is the most satisfying way to build a layout by far and the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction is instant. Thanks
@@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies Maybe I need to try it. However, at the moment I don't think I am too much into the building of landscape, buildings, kits etc., and enjoy more running trains...
@@tomsmaerklintrainlayout6742 1 5x1 m is a great size for a layout! My H0 soviet layout is 1,4x1 m and my UK layout is 0,95 x 0,85m 😊
@@railway187 It was actually 1.5 x 1 m that grew into a 6 x 1 m one side and about 3 x 1 m on the shorter side of an L-shape. Unfortunately, I have no pictures. My current C-track layout is 144 x 46 inches and the smaller M-track layout is about 150 x 90 cm...
Really good video 😊
I did start with a basboard but did it modular for a shelf layout in OO. Having it in smaller parts also makes it easier to focus.
I got into the hobby a few years ago (here in America). I was able to get my father-in-laws old 4x6 layout. I realized that this was too big. I made a few 2 foot by 14” deep modules. This was fine, but still too large to work on at the bench. I am now using this premolded track and making small scenic elements. These are much easier to work on and get completed. I like the small HO steam, but have recently been thinking of going to HOn30. I can still use it with my Ho buildings and scenery. I can even incorporate both track sizes at the same time on a future layout. For the HOn30 engines I am going to change the cabs on my N gauge trains and then add HO scale details and People.
I have a compact O Gauge 8x2 end to end depot layout and I am very happy with my new project. I completely agree with you on this matter.
@6:07 We did the Kato -mini-diorama for National Train Day at the Cleburne Railroad Museum this year. We sold the modules as a fundraiser; people then decorated them and brought them back. We then assembled them into a "layout" and ran a train on it. The resulting "layout" turned out great; but it is hard to find them on Kato's website and they are $20-30 a module on ebay; a bit pricey way to create a layout. We are not sure what we are going to do next year.
The Kato modules are expensive and perhaps over engineered even if the are excellent. An oval of hard foam the lenght of the set track piece would be enough. That dense heavy packing foam is ideal.
I'm surprised more manufacturers have not run with the idea. It would be cheap to make and people would love it.
I don't have space for a permanent layout, so I opted for an 80x160 cm lightweight plywood base board, that, when not in use, is stored behind my studio door. It's formed by two 80x80 cm squares, calculated to be able to put them in my saloon car boot to get them home. I'll use your modular system to make the removable outer track.
Tillig tt has track with plastic roadbed as well as track without roadbed.
Tillig do pre-ballasted TT track. I think it's on licence from Kato because it uses the same unijoiners (rail joiners). I use it for the new British TT:120 and for HOm, it's really useful and comes in two forms - concrete or wooden sleepers (ties).
I have a Tilling HOm piece of track somewhere. Very good quality.