Well, it is only a year late in starting 
, but late is better than never I suppose.
My old layout can be found here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109544">http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109544</a><!-- m -->
It was a good sized HO layout with continuous running and the emphasis on scenery, but there was a problem: it took up too much room! Well the family has the family room back but I need my trains
so.............
The first idea was to do a 2' X 21' shelf layout (track plans were made and a lot of time spent on searching for locales, structures etc) but I felt that 2' still encroached on the room too much. I really didn't have hope that a 1' deep shelf could be both interesting operationally and scenically satisfying. Any one who knows me understands that I have NO track planning ability whatsoever but I was not in this alone. Kurt (cnw1961) is the track planner and the real vision behind this 1' X 21' HO shelf layout (he'll say I helped...don't believe him! well I guess I did help a little....does saying "Great idea!" pass as helping?) 
![[Image: 1SVCX0.jpg]](https://i.vgy.me/1SVCX0.jpg)
Left Side (The track above the coal house leads to a hidden staging area in a closet)
![[Image: aqIZej.jpg]](https://i.vgy.me/aqIZej.jpg)
Right Side
![[Image: bsXIcx.jpg]](https://i.vgy.me/bsXIcx.jpg)
It represents the industrial end of a smallish town set in a rural area.
Transitional era
RR is Northern Pacific (who else?)
The real key, as I see it, is to try and make 1ft seem as deep as possible. I have been researching methods and techniques designed to do just that. It is a challenge but that will also be the great fun in building this layout.
I hope you all find this thread fun as well.
, but late is better than never I suppose. My old layout can be found here: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109544">http://www.zealot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109544</a><!-- m -->
It was a good sized HO layout with continuous running and the emphasis on scenery, but there was a problem: it took up too much room! Well the family has the family room back but I need my trains
so.............The first idea was to do a 2' X 21' shelf layout (track plans were made and a lot of time spent on searching for locales, structures etc) but I felt that 2' still encroached on the room too much. I really didn't have hope that a 1' deep shelf could be both interesting operationally and scenically satisfying. Any one who knows me understands that I have NO track planning ability whatsoever
but I was not in this alone. Kurt (cnw1961) is the track planner and the real vision behind this 1' X 21' HO shelf layout (he'll say I helped...don't believe him! well I guess I did help a little....does saying "Great idea!" pass as helping?) Left Side (The track above the coal house leads to a hidden staging area in a closet)
Right Side
It represents the industrial end of a smallish town set in a rural area.
Transitional era
RR is Northern Pacific (who else?)
The real key, as I see it, is to try and make 1ft seem as deep as possible. I have been researching methods and techniques designed to do just that. It is a challenge but that will also be the great fun in building this layout.
I hope you all find this thread fun as well.
Steve