Hi.

I am new to Marklin but have no local dealer near me, so before I start to dive in and buy via mail order, I figured that I'd ask about what can be done with my available "train" space. I am thinking about putting up a small layout in a 13' x 5' area but am concerned that not much can be done with such a small area. Can anyone refer me to some online layouts or track plans that utilize a comparable size?

Thanks!

Steve,
Welcome to the layout forum.
It could help if you also include metric measurements for our metric countries, nevertheless your size is'nt small, small.
There are hundreds of different options you can choose from regarding layouts are concerend.
Literatur or layout plans can be obtained through a dealer (postal service).
Having determined the size of your proposed layout, it is always a good start, to identify or laydown some things you realy would like on your layout.
Research further how big these items or scenic features are, e.g. buildings, factories, homes, stations etc etc. and than you can compare the room you need to accomodate them, if they fit into the landscape.
You also can make a scetch of your proposed size and outline what you think is essential on your layout.
You have to take into considerations how many locos and rollingstock you have or purchase in the future.
This could lead to not having enough room and you may consider or need a shadow freight station or siding which is usually build on another level. Is your layout going to be flat or will it have some inclines, bridges, waterways, tunnels or hills ?
Having track plans can help to get some sort of an idea what you intend to do and there are plans out there which utilises, the room available to you.
Your age could also be considered.
If you are young and enthusiastic or old and even more enthusiastic, a layout track plan could differ from an experienced or inexperienced person regarding expectations.
One also has to come to terms with, what is in your mind and dreams, including
the realty in front of you.
You have to able to link all three together, because boredom can suddenly appear from nowhere.
Sometimes you need skills you did'nt have before and by building a layout, you are learning very fast and changes in your mind will occur on a regular basis.
You've partly conceeded not much can be done but you'll be surprised having multilevels and helixes can transform a small layout to something substantial.



regards.,
John

13X 5 converts to approx 3.9M X 1.5 Mtrs plenty of space to build a nice Layout.

I have 4 M by 1.7 and lots of space.

Have a look at topics in Me and My Layout and also at Layout plans on the Marklin Web site

I would buy a Marklin C Layout book to get started. There is one listed on EBay under 300366225365. Also, check out Blueridgehobbies.com They are a great source to buy from and they are cheaper than everyone else that sells on-line. Yes, even Charlie.

Thanks for all of the great replies everyone!

I guess I am thinking that not much can be done with my space because I currently run O Gauge Lionel trains, and not much can be done at all with my available space in "O". Also, as noted above, most of the American train magazines feature these huge 30'x20' layouts and I am having a hard time figuring out in my head what I can do with the space I have in HO. Not having a dealer close to me makes it a bit harder as well as I don't have the option of just running down the street to the dealer to see things in person.

I did check out the links above and am very attracted to a layout such as this:



I would need to rework this one a bit to incorporate a small town area as I must have some Faller/Kibri/Vollmer city/town structures. :)