Great Little 2' x 6' On30 Layout

Saw this the weekend of Oct 5th 2015 in Concord California. It is done by Jim A.
Really was the hit of the show, he has operating sessions on it as well.
A big thank you to Jim for bringing it out.

[@barrysmith8193]

Two comments …… first size has nothing to do with quality. This execution is superb. Second I see so many layout that are so big that when the end comes (and it always will) they go in the dumpster. This can be readily handed off to another to continue the modeling spirit and enjoyment of others. Well done. Thanks for sharing.

[@jimambrose2820]

Thanks for the great comments. The layout is built on a 24 inch wide closet door, cut to 6 feet in length so it fits in my truck. I cut the roadbed from thin plywood, laid out the main figure 8, then adjusted the grades until it all worked. The clearance point is the bridge. The turnouts are handlaid, the track is flextrack.The scenery started with a skeleton of foam core, hot glued together. I used 3 or 4 cans of spray foam, carved to shape, then covered with sculptamold and painted with a variety of water based paints for ceramics.All of the structures are scratchbuilt. Grandt Line windows and doors and few odds and ends from my scrapbox are the few commercial parts.For operation, I have actual loads printed on small cardboard tabs. I have a sort of spreadsheet based tool that tells which loads need to go where and when. The idea is that a certain amount of supplies are required by the mine and mill in order produce ore and bullion. Random trouble cards pop up to make it interesting.

[@johncooper9445]

Jim, Trying to contact you regarding your "operations" plan for you great little layout. Will you be at Just Trains this year? Thanks John

[@Seanmmvi]

Hi Jim, any chance you can draw up a track plan?

[@skeetermctavish5386]

Do you build On30 layouts for customers?

[@JMc.D]

Great layout Jim. I too am embarking on a small layout. Good inspiration for me.

[@gneiismail5212]

WOW this is superb! Like watching an old western cowboy film.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

I got to check this out during the 2023 Just Trains Open House and it is an amazing setup. Yes, the grades are steep and the curves are tight, but it goes to show what can be done with some creativity and a little sacrifice in a small space. Jim was super gracious in letting me pose some of my models on the layout and even running them around for the camera. If you get the chance to check this out in person, I highly recommend doing it.

[@MrHarleyoldfart]

That's brilliant, so much detail, well done.

[@madbren]

Amazing layout, attention to detail is excellent. It's a credit to you.

[@kilomike4380]

Beautiful small layout.Great detail thanks for sharing 👍👍👍

[@kevinmacomber5067]

Nice job. It proves how much detail you can do in a small space.

[@Scale.Model.Craftsman]

Nice layout, detail work and creative design !

[@muss1951]

I keep coming back to this I think your mining area is so perfect for the time frame. I am going to try and use some of your ideas on my new U&B RR

[@joestrainworldvideos3977]

Amazing what you can do on so little space.

[@bobpecorini9518]

I love this layout!!!

[@jcoop1061]

I hope to see it again this year at Just Trains in October, I also hope to have the second attempt of my version there as well .

[@abstractcreations246]

Super cool layout you have there

[@ifanai]

Wonderful work

[@bens3641]

Awesome! Great job.

[@diceman2004]

Now that's what I'm talkin' bout . That tres' coolios amigo .

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Magnificent !😊

[@gjamjames]

This layout is way cool! Has anybody found another video of it yet?

[@ThunderMesaStudio]

Wow! Nicely done.

[@Salty4568]

Is a plan available somewhere? Looks perfect for my tiny space!

[@jcoop1061]

Skip, I don't think there is a plan, it's a 2' x 6' door with a figure 8 on it with a couple sidings. Going to the open house tomorrow I hope it is there with some updates. I built a little bigger version and I have a couple videos of it on KZbin as well.

[@raydunakin]

Very nice!

[@alecsapounas7497]

Beautiful layout , would you have plans of the layout that you could post.

[@MartyLJ57]

Great looking layout. I like to know what the radius curves are.

[@jeremiahshapiro8422]

Wish there was a layout plan or sketch of this beautiful layout.

[@markcarey8426]

Excellent. Be nice to see the upper level NG working.

[@DavidThomas453]

Is there a place where some of the particulars of the layout are shared, such as the rough track plan and maybe some of the rolling stock? This is the best example I have seen in my research to build something small

[@TheFrogfeeder]

I seen your comment from years ago, where you describe building it. You mention the main figure 8 and that the turnouts are hand laid, do the turn outs actually function? The train seems to be going around the 8, and not using any switches, so I assume they are just for added detail? I like this, I wanna go a bit smaller at 2’x4’ to fit on my coffee table when I wanna play with it. This is a work of art here. Mine will be a renegade/illegal logging operation theme.

[@kwtruckdriver]

very impressive

[@caseyvabc123]

awesome layout, and only 2x6!

[@KorraDaTrainBuff]

What is it about this scale? Every on30 layout I see is gorgeous.

[@The20thCenturyLimited]

TheLOKRailfan lol harry

[@themusicandtrainguy7221]

Great layout. Does anybody have a drawing of the layout. Is it a figure 8 with a Helix.

[@jcoop1061]

Marty, Believe they where 10 or 11", overall width was only 24 so think it was 11" radius

[@williambutler4038]

Fabulous -- how about a diagram/map of layout.

[@mikethemoneymaker]

Must have watched this video 30 times....I have to do something in the corner landscaping now.

[@Tony2Belize]

I love the engines. Where would I be able to find one like that?

[@AlextheHistorian]

It's a Bachmann On30 engine, they come as 0-4-0 porters or 0-4-2 porters, you can get them pretty much anywhere that sells On30 stuff, such as online stores or Ebay.

[@Seanmmvi]

where could I go to see more about this layout?

[@jcoop1061]

Sorry, I wish I knew more about it. I expect it will be at the Just Trains Open house this year the first weekend in October, I hope to be there with my version.

[@mlalbaitero]

Look up the channel "Bigthunderwestern" he has a bigger layout, he takes this one the exhibitions. He talked about it on the website though

[@muss1951]

Very Very NiceIs this really only 6' long?I am building one myselfand yours on the video looks to be about 8 to 10'

[@jcoop1061]

+al anza Yes this was only 6' long and about 24" wide, mine is 8' long and 30" deep.

[@jcoop1061]

+al anza Mine is 30" deep by 8' long. I have added a turntable and a siding that where not on Jim's

[@dhrubopal1006]

wow

[@rambaral340]

i know this vid is from a while ago but what track size is used for the mine carts?

[@jcoop1061]

micro engineering code 83 track

[@rambaral340]

@@jcoop1061 thank you very much

[@fatLPfan]

Where did u find this I'm from concord CA

[@jcoop1061]

Jose, It was at "Just Trains" open house the first week in October last year. I don't know if it will be there this year.

[@sidewaysonhighways]

Looks like Thunder Mountain at the Magic Kingdom.

[@rjl110919581]

BEAUTY DETAIL VIDEO OF LOVE SMALL LAYOUT IN DETAIL THANK YOU

[@patrickturner2417]

That's pretty hip man.......

[@jcoop1061]

Here is my version, kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6unZXWYishoobc. Have a long ways to go, but trains are running. John

[@jcoop1061]

Bachmann On30 Heislers run great as well as the Porters, no Shays though

[@PoochAndBoo]

Sorry to comment on such an old pot...but.. Hieslers will make such a sharp turn? I'm planning an ON30 layout. 15" radius turns. Didn't think I could run anything but Porters and that beautiful Bachmann Mogul. Which would be fine, but if I can have a Hiesler, too...then great.

[@MrHarleyoldfart]

That's never 6'x2' looks more like 3'x8'.

[@jcoop1061]

It really was 6' x 2', a lot packed in there

[@jamescarryl9690]

The layout is beautiful. But if U begin showing a moving train running around the layout show the train making entire loop first then show all the detail. Don't ever break from your main subject ( the train ) running to show detail. I was just about to click off your video. In other words hold the viewers attention on the main subject matter.

[@PoochAndBoo]

Yeah, I was hoping to see the whole run. I'm interested in how he managed grades on such a small layout. I would have thought that they would be too steep on such a tiny setup. I'm asking because I'm about ready to start in this scale.

[@sidewaysonhighways]

Looks like Thunder Mountain at the Magic Kingdom.