Design for a 2-rail O-scale layout

[@brendaoliver9107]

You did again! Another great layout that eirks great. 😮

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Peter, very interesting how you were able to process this very design to the demands of your customer and your input considerations. For such a small footprint, for O scale, you’ve been truly able to put in a lot of different aspects, which will make the railroad look the like and make it interesting. Cheerio

[@mpeterll]

All my layout designs are a collaboration with the client. Almost invariably the client wants far more than can possibly be fitted into the space, so I have to dissect his wants list and determine (with his help) what combination of requested features can come closest to his ideals within the confines of the space available. Then i have to juggle those elements to make the best possible use of every inch.

[@PeterTillman3]

Nice design Peter - as always. Just offsetting the 2 mainlines made such a difference.

[@mpeterll]

Yes, way better than attempting to get a double-track where there is no room.

[@xanx1234]

Wow, that's a very interesting small layout with lots of "play" value!

[@marktaylor8659]

Very nice layout design. I'm surprised how much layout you were able to fit into the relatively small space. Thanks for sharing.

[@mpeterll]

Curved turnouts were the key here. I will have to custom-build them for the client.

[@PaulFotschky]

Good luck with your plans, hope it goes your way.

[@legotrainchris]

Very nice - lots to keep an operator busy, and could even have two. Hopefully being able to put in all the details from the town the customer remembers so well will be satisfying for him. A nice scenic run on the one side is icing on the cake. Audio turned out just fine for me - I *hate* videos with no sound except music that does not match my taste!

[@mpeterll]

I also find that in most cases I have to turn off music.

[@TheSonofruss]

It is amazing how you can get a large scale layout in such a small space

[@mpeterll]

I've learned a lot of tricks over the years. In this situation, the most important space-saving technique was the effective use of curved turnouts, which I will be customizing from Fast-tracks methods.

[@luvindemtrains]

Great use of the space Peter. When you started out it reminded me of my situation. I hope you get to build this one.

[@mpeterll]

Me too. I'd like to get the opportunity to build something in O-scale 2-rail again.

[@ChargerusPrime]

Ya know, I just might contact you at some point to do up some plans for a layout of my own in2 rail O scale. This is the first video of yours I've ever seen and I'm absolutely astounded by your work. My only certainty that I have on the layout is I want a large one, large enough to run the biggest of steam locomotives and very long trains 50 cars or more.

[@mpeterll]

Please do. I look forward to hearing from you. There's a link to my website in the video description.

[@robertlewis7237]

THANK YOU FOR DETAILED VIDEO IN O - SCALE THANK YOU LOOK AT SMALL DETAILED LAYOUT

[@tomlewis6533]

Hi Peter Great to see how busy you are. Is this standard 1.25" gauge track or is this P48? O scale 2 rail (1.25" between the rails) is more forgiving than people generally know. This is even more true if you hand lay the track. Opening the gauge slightly in curves but not exceeding NMRA helps greatly with long wheelbase steam engines. What is the minimum radius you are using? With easements you can easily run all but the longest wheelbase around 56 to 60 inch radius. (2-8-2s 4-8-4s, 4-8-2s Challengers, Big Boys no problem, on the other hand UP 4-12-2 and SF 2-10-4s would not) Also the standard frog in the scale for turnouts is usually #6 although I have settled on #5 myself and hand lay all my turnouts. Hope this is useful for you. Keep up the good work.

[@mpeterll]

It's standard O-gauge. I originally started with a 54" minimum main line radius, but had to drop it to 51" in one place. My client's largest locomotives are 2 NKP berkshires, which he tells me will run perfectly well on 48" radius curves. Turnouts on this plan are a mix of #6 and #7 with just two #5's on industrial spurs where large locomotives never have to run through the diverging route.

[@SPSteve]

I just finished building that Micro Engineering bridge in the video intro; it's a challenging build. Duck under to enter the O Scale layout I assume?

[@mpeterll]

That's the Walthers trestle, not ME. The kit costs a lot more, but it's easier to build. Yes, it'll be a duck-under to get inside the railroad, but it'll be fairly high so not a huge deal.

[@meanderinginourtime1537]

Do you ever get photos of layouts after you ‘self build’ customers complete their construction? It would be interesting to see and make a great follow up video.

[@mpeterll]

I never get enough for a follow-up video. Don't forget, most of the layouts I design are going to take their owners many years to build. Maybe I can do one of these videos some time around 2040.

[@randydobson1863]

hello mpeterll its is randy and i like your is cool video thanks friends randy

[@Knowledgeispowersheep]

Peter If I want this too. How much does it cost not an exact but ballpark.

[@mpeterll]

If you are in the market for a custom railroad design and/or build, please contact me privately through my web-site.