O Gauge Train Layouts: Track Plans & Ideas

This is the conventional layout plan, where the main line is arranged in a continuous loop, and the train starts at one point, completes a lap, and eventually returns to its starting point. Many times the loop is folded over itself, creating a figure 8, and parts of the loop can be elevated to pass over each other. If you like getting the trains cranked up and watching ‘em roll, the loop design is a great choice.

Loop layouts are simple and fun, but less realistic than real-world railroads. If you want to make your layout resemble the real thing, and you’re not modeling the Walt Disney World Railroad, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find a real railroad that runs in a circle. Real railroads are massive transportation factories, moving people and goods from this spot to that spot, in [usually] an efficient manner. Many modelers like to build their layouts to simulate this action. This is known as operation—making a model railroad imitate the operations and schedules of a real railroad. The point-to-point railroad is the most realistic model railroad design. The trains move from Point A to Point B, usually making stops along the way.

Model railroaders working in the smaller scales [HO and N] often build point-to-point railroads. But in O scale, there is a problem. It’s hard to build a true point-to-point O Scale railroad that provides a reasonable length of travel for the train. Unless you have a gymnasium available, building a true point-to-point layout in O is normally out of question.

So what to do if you want something a bit more interesting than a loop layout, but do not have enough space to build a point-to-point layout? Do what model railroaders have been doing for years—cheat a bit.

Loop-to-Loop is a variation of the continuous loop layout that hides the continuous nature of the operation. The train moves from point A to point B, but both points have reverse loops that turn the train around and send it back from point B to point A without stopping. Often, on loop-to-loop layouts the reverse loops function as terminals and have yards built into the reverse loops. Loop-to-Loop allows for a layout to be run either as a point-to-point layout for realistic operation, or as a continuous loop layout for display or showing off.

Another popular design in the smaller scales, the out-and-back is a clever design that sends the train out of its starting point, and at some point it reverses direction and returns to its starting point going in the opposite direction. Many out-and-backs have a continuous operation feature built into them to permit the train to make several laps and ‘build up some mileage’ before returning home.

A hybrid of the other four layout types, Point to Loop is a continuous loop layout with two spur lines functioning as starting and ending points for the railroad. This design and the out-and-back are often used if the train room dictates the construction of a narrow shelf on one side.

This simple but fun line uses one pair of switches, a 90 degree crossing, and a few more curved and straight track sections in addition to what is included with a starter set. The train can take two different lines with a ‘junction’ at the crossing.

Dimensions:
MTH Realtrax and conventional O Gauge track: 6 by 6 feet
FasTrack: Approximately 7 by 7 feet

One of the most popular additions to a train set is a trestle set, allowing the train to climb and descend grades and cross over itself at some point. The most popular form of over and under layouts is a figure-8 configuration, but this plan has some advantages over a figure-8. For one, it takes up less space [if you’re using FasTrack] and actually provides a slightly longer run for the train per lap. Also, on over-and-under Figure-8s, much of the track on the grades is in the curves, increasing the chance of an accident. In this plan, more of the grades are on straightaways.

Dimensions:
MTH Realtrax and conventional O Gauge track: 4 by 8 feet
FasTrack: Approximately 5 by 9 feet

A neat plan using 3 pair of switches, the Double-Back provides a variety of routes for the train to take. The reversing loops allow the train to change direction. The rear passing siding can also be used to store extra cars.

Dimensions:
MTH Realtrax and conventional O Gauge track: 4 by 8 feet
FasTrack: Approximately 5 by 9 feet

Nicknamed after the old college prank of cramming people into a phone booth, the PBT pushes the maximum amount of action that can be placed on a conventional 4 by 8 sheet of plywood. With a figure 8, to spur sidings, a long passing siding, and a variety of routes, the PBT will operate much bigger than it appears.

Dimensions:
MTH Realtrax and conventional O Gauge track: 4 by 8 feet
FasTrack: Approximately 5 by 9 feet

This layout is an example of a small operator’s layout that builds several sidings into a basic figure 8. Basically the ST consists of a two-track yard in the lower right, a short industrial spur in the lower left, and a two-track industrial siding [I envisioned a pier scene when drawing it up] in the upper left. The train leaves the yard and drops off and picks up cars at the two stops. Note that the configuration of the sidings makes having an engine with a front coupler essential, in order to push cars into the tracks in the upper left.

Dimensions:
MTH Realtrax and conventional O Gauge track: 5 by 7 feet
Atlas O and FasTrack: 7 by 8 feet

The Buford and Eastern is a basic out-and-back layout. It can accommodate two trains easily, with one parked on one of the sidings while the other is operating, or can provide interesting operation for one train as well.

If running one train, a typical ‘schedule’ would work like this: The train leaves on the lower of the two sidings at the top of the layout, and heads out onto the main loop. It drops off and picks up cars along the way at the short sidings on the route. When it’s ready to head home, the train heads through the diagonal cutoff, reversing direction and pulling into the upper siding at the top of the layout, completing its ‘trip’. The two switches connecting the sidings at the top allow the engine to uncouple from the train, back down the other siding, and connect onto the back of the train to rearrange it for the next trip. This arrangement is known as an ‘escape track.’

Given their bi-directional nature, diesels would work better on this layout; if you use a steam engine, you’ll need to break out the old manual turntable (better known as your hand) to turn the engine around after each trip.

Dimensions:
All makes of track: 5 by 9 feet

A mid-sized layout that allows the operation of two trains, the Spare Room Central is intended to fit into an average size spare bedroom, 9 by 9 or 10 by 10 feet. Utilizing the out-and-back principle for getting in and out of the yard at the lower right, the SRC also features a nice mainline run and several sidings, as long as a passing siding along the backstretch. The key feature to the design is the ‘wye’ where the yard meets the mainline. A wye is a three-legged track arrangement that allows engines to reverse themselves without using a turntable. (Look at the track arrangement and imagine turning a car around in a driveway, and you’ll get the idea). On this layout the wye also allows the trains to head on to the mainline in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and to return to the yard without needing to reverse direction. Using a reasonable amount of track—12 switches in all—the SRC gives the feel of a big railroad without the need of investing a lot of space.

Dimensions:
MTH Realtrax and conventional O Gauge track: 9 by 9 feet
Atlas O and FasTrack: 10 by 10 feet

This plan is an example of the impact of using wide-radius curves on a layout. The plan using Realtrax software uses O42 curves and occupies a space 12 by 12 feet. The other plan, however, uses Atlas O54 and O63 curves and takes up 15 by 17 feet [if using FasTrack, use O48 for the O54 and O60 for the O63, and the plan should fit a 14 by 16 space]. Both plans are essentially the same, with a large over and under figure-8 connected to a pair of reverse loops, with a yard at the lower right and some sidings along the way. Also, note how using O54 switches on the Atlas plan allows for the closer spacing of sidings than with O42 switches on the MTH plan. This is a plus in the tradeoff between short and wide-radius track.

This plan leaves a fair amount of open space for scenery and buildings. Instead of using trestles, the over and under component should be built using plywood risers, allowing the up and downgrades to be integrated into hills or mountains.

Dimensions:
MTH Realtrax and Conventional O Track: 12 by 12 feet
Lionel FasTrack: Approximately 16 by 16 feet
Atlas: 18 by 18 feet

One of the most revered chapters in railroad history was the construction of the massive four-track mainlines by the eastern trunk railroads, particularly the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central System. This plan provides the action of a 4-track main in a reasonable 16 by 16 foot area. Looking more complicated than it really is, the PRR is basically one doubled over figure-8 inside another one. The multiple crossovers allow for moving between the two lines and for trains to reverse direction.

The four lobes created by the loops are used for four different purposes. The lower right is for the control panel and operator’s area [it’s also recommended to leave a 2-foot access way on at least 2 sides, and preferably 3]. The upper right lobe is for a passenger terminal, the upper left is a small freight yard and engine servicing area, and the lower left is a mine or industrial area. With the variety of loops and routes, command control would be a perfect fit for this layout, allowing 2 or 3 trains on each loop without the need for blocks and other wiring complications.

This layout does have a couple drawbacks. First and foremost is that in order to get the vertical mainline over the horizontal mainline, nearly all of the curved sections of the mainlines need to be on grades. Also, the yard areas are a bit small for a layout of this size. It is complex—the Atlas plan uses 32 switches.

But you’ll never be bored!