Hello and welcome to the forum Tia.

If you buy the 29533,the oval of tracks with passing loop was 184cm by 84cm,it is 8cm wide that door.

I built a modest switching layout which is about 10" narrower than you what can do with the same length. You can see images at http://web.syr.edu/~pdverhey/eisenbahn/puzzle.shtml.

.

There is also an article I co-authored with some ETE colleagues at http://web.syr.edu/~pdverhey/ei...ahn/puzzle_article.shtml. Towards the bottom are links to other puzzle/switching layouts.

At this size, the important thing (I think) to remember is that less is more. For me the puzzle was a great opportunity to try to build something on a much more realistic scale in terms of landscaping. The station tracks are still far too short, but that's a door for you.

Have fun. It is possible to come up with something truly enjoyable, even on that scale.

p.

Very nice layout.

Another great source of "micro layouts" can be found at http://carendt.com/microplans/.

Here is my layout, also on a hollow core door, but 36"x80", but at the 30 wide, I could delete the outer loop and still have a single track loop layout. Switching layouts can be nice, but also can get borring after awhile, I prefer a loop with switching inside so I can just run trains or do some switching. Here are some pics for you to enjoy. Mike and Michele T

First, I really want to thank all the nice people who took some of their precious time to reply my post and to welcome me on that forum.

To steventrain: As you suggested, I could add a 6 " extension to my door . That used 30 " wide door was available after I removed 1 wall in my appartment. I could by a new one that has the maximum width ( 36 " ).
My wife agreed on an inside door, but she never specified the maximum width of it ....

To dbmike: As you suggested, I might get rid on the outside loop to reduce the layout width.

To PierreGILLARD, verheyen, nevw and ulf999: I really appreciate all those web links about small switching layouts.

I particularly like your " modest switching layout " verheyen because it makes me realise now that going around on a loop is not my 1st priority.

To viragoLDR: Thanks for encouraging me , despite my old age , to continue with N scale ( say hi to your dad from another old Nscale guy ).

You people suggested so many wise options that ... I don't know which one to choose.

But first I want to finish my N scale tiny layout. Then I'll decide what I'll do when I receive my Marklin set next week.

Cool switching layout Peter!

welcome TIA iam to in the same boat geting started. michel & mike thanks for leting me see what i whant to do but not in home port to do it. maybe littel painting in the tunnel .my 2 bits.all the ideas that iam geting i should have it to gether by end of voyage.any one gone sub level [8)] wondering that one of dose (ice trains )poping in & out .you can set it up to see all the lights under the set .but my mgmt said 1 year. and derailment on dose fast train got to keep eye on .take care pat n cece

YES, it is possible, as long as you don't slam the door too hard!

Per.

As some of you suggested ( David Dewar ), I could add a 2nd level but I prefer to stick to a single level switching layout .
It just my opinion, but I don't find multilevel layouts very prototypelike and it would be impossible for me to model the Tehachapi loop on my small door .
And as Rowan mentions, even a small laypou can keep me busy for a lifetime.