Shelf layouts
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If you are looking for a type of layout that can be placed in such places as
the living room, den, or even master bedroom because it takes up very little
space and is finished to blend in, you may be looking for a " bookshelf "
layout.
A bookshelf layout is built using normal wood and masonite materials to
create a shadow-box effect. The sections are 3 to 18 inches deep and 3 to 6
feet long. The sections are hung on one or more of the walls of the layout
room, and then joined together.
The layout is often hung using brackets which are attached to modular shelf
supports which are attached to the walls.
Layout and Construction details
Model Railroader ran a two part article describing both the concept and construction details of this type of layout. It was "Bookshelf railroads," by Robert J. Lutz, in the January (pp. 53-57) and February (pp. 95-105) 1977 issues.
Photocopies of the article are available from Kalmbach. Contact their
customer service between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm CT, at 800-446-5489 or
414-796-8776.
What are the advantages of this type of layout?
moveable
The sections are small in size and lightweight, so they can be carried from
place to place. Because of that, you will be able to take them to your work
area to work on. This means that you won't have to worry so much about
keeping the area spick and span. Not only that, but the tools you need to
work on the section will be right there. Need to do wiring on the bottom of
the section, no problem, just turn it over.
out of the way and takes no floor space
As the sections are built to be hung from the walls, no floor space has to be
used for the benchwork. This allows the area beneath the layout to be used
for other things. ( a workbench, shelving, or other items of furniture). This
could be an important determining factor in deciding whether to build this
type of layout, especially if space is at a premium.
sits at eye level
Hanging the sections from the walls also allows you to place them at a
comfortable viewing and reaching height. It is suggested that this level be
at about your eye level, thereby simulating watching trains at track side.
This level is becoming more common in modern layout design.
Another reason to keep the sections high is that it allows you to keep the
layout out of the reach of young prying hands, which keeps both your children
and models safe. Another important determining factor to think about
especially if you have young children.
can provide many hours of operation
Although this style of layout can be hung from all of the walls, and then
connected to make a continuous run , it is usually not. This is because any
doors to the rest of the living quarters will be blocked. That is unless you
build a removable section. In addition, since turn back loops take up quite a
bit of space, you will probably end up not using them.
Based upon these factors, you will find that a point to point layout is best.
But what can you do with it?
Switching
... and that means operation! With the proper layout of tracks, and using some sort of waybill system , you will find that you will be spending a couple of hours or more just moving cars around. There have been many linear style track plans published throughout the years that can be adapted to this style of layout.
In order to enhance your switching / operation it may be desirable to add a
staging yard to one end of the layout. This will enable you to have a storage
area for your cars, and to bring trains on and off the layout. Perhaps a
closet could be used for the staging area.
advantages for both beginning and experienced modelers
This type of layout provides some advantages for both the beginning and
experienced modeler.
If you are a beginner just starting to build your first serious layout, it
will not be an overwhelming project, and yet if you are an experienced
builder you will it challenging enough to satisfy your needs.
advantages for the beginning modeler
The layout is built in sections, each one takes time to build, so as you
continue to build sections, your skill level will have time to develop as you
learn new techniques.
As you learn new techniques, your standards become higher. When that
happens you may want to exchange an older section with one you have just
built. With this type of layout, just take the older one out and replace it
with the new one. Which is unlike a conventional layout, where if you are
unhappy with it, you may just tear it down.
The small size of the sections means that there should be very little
complicated trackage to lay or to wire.
advantages for the experienced modeler
The layout is designed to being viewed at eye level and close up. This
provides an opportunity to go to it with your modeling skills. Things like
hand laid track and highly detailed buildings, come to mind.
What are the disadvantages of this type of layout?
may not be suitable for apartments
Because this type of layout is mounted to walls using brackets, they leave
screw holes in the walls. Most apartment owners frown upon screw holes, so
make sure you have their permission before mounting any of the sections to
the walls.
limited to smaller scales
The layout is not supported from below, just where it is attached to the
walls. That means that the weight of the sections should be kept down.
Turn back loops protrude into the living space quite a bit. Even an 18 inch
radius curve would mean it protruding out at least 38 inches.
Because of the above two reasons, I would recommend building either a N scale
railroad, or some sort of HO switching railroad to eliminate or keep down the size of the turn back loops.
limits scenery, and layout design
Because the layout is built of sections 3 to 18 inches deep and designed to
look like a shadow-box ( which means a height of only a foot or so ), it
places limitations on what you can do.
Obviously any thoughts of overwhelming mountain scenery will have to be put
aside. You will probably find that the best kind of country scenery is either
generic Midwestern or the mountains of Appalachia. As far as city scenes go,
using flat fronts or 3 dimensional fronts would be a good choice.
A minimal use of turn back loops and the avoidance of blocking doorways
suggest only point to point layouts should be built. This is probably the
best kind. However if you wish, you can build just about any kind. A
continuous run, point to loop, or even a double deck railroad could be
possibly be built.
unconnecting / connecting
The fact that the sections are designed to be taken
apart causes problems where the track and wiring go across sections joints.
A reliable means of protecting and unconnnecting / connecting them must be devised.
As far as the track is concerned. It puts wear and tear on it, which could
cause it to become out of gauge or misaligned, thus causing derailments. A
short section of an Atlas rerailer on each end of the section may do the
trick.
As for the wiring. The wiring may develop a short or unreliable current flow. Using some kind of male-female connecter between sections will take care of that.
Refer to the modular groups for suggestions on both of the above.
Limited storage of rolling stock
In order to enhance your switching / operation it may be desirable to add a staging yard to one end of the layout. This will enable you to have a storage area for your cars, and to bring trains on and off the layout. Perhaps a closet could be used for the staging area.
In conclusion, this type of layout does have both advantages and
disadvantages to consider before deciding whether to build it. But if you
are looking for a layout that blends in with your living quarters, uses no
floor space and intrudes very little into the square footage of the room,
this is probably a very good choice. It is also a good choice for anyone who
might tend to move quite often, or someone just starting into serious layout
building, where the portability and the ability to change out sections would
be of benefit.
About this content:
Original author: Bruce Notman. Last revised on ??.
This LDSIG article is ©1998 by Bruce Notman