The Smallest Layout (1)

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This is my contribution to the World's Smallest Working Model Railroad Challenge of the Micro Layout Website. The goal was, as the title indicates, to build the world's smallest operating model railroad. Conditions have been: a "real" railway with tracks and flanged wheels, and the layout must be able to at least loop trains or switch a car from one track to another.

The volume was the criteria to go. There was a second evaluation: relative smallness, meaning overall length in relation to track gauge.

Conception

Since a 15cm "pizza" layout was published by Carl Arendt on the challenge page, it was clear that usual conceptions will fail. A operating loop always eats up considerably space, also do commercially available switches. A better solution is needed! I found it in a tiny car turntable. It allows switching on very small space. Even our grandfathers knew about this when they were building industrial spurs within a plant.

Since the challenge rules didn't say anything about the traction I decided to operate the cars manually "by manpower", which is quite prototypical. This allows to keep the layout as short as the length of two cars.

As a long time N scale modeler I decided to build the layout as a 600mm (or 2 feet) narrow railroad in Nf scale (3.75mm gauge). Track and rolling stock is available from Hammerschmid, Germany. Everything else was found in the scrap box.

Building the layout

The track plan consists of the turntable and three tracks. The first track indicates the interchange line. The second track leads to a mine. The third track is a siding which allows to swap empty and loaded cars. Considerably accurate planning was required: Because of the tiny dimensions of the layout, track clearance must been determined precisely, otherwise operating would not work later.

The structure was made a sunday evening in two hours, using a piece of balsa wood and some cardboard. Some colors, a little sand from mediterran sea and some woodland turf gave the scenery.

The comparison with the mm ruler shows clearly the dimensions: 30x30x19mm. This makes a volume of 17.1cm3 or 1.04cci - about one cubich inch. The relative smallness is 30:3.75 respectively 8:1.

Operating the layout

Will it work? - Come and see the video:

Video (wmv), 685kB

Ok - because of its tinyness the cars are featherweight. In combination with the short wheel base, the handling is quite nervous. If you have more room ;-) it is a good idea to consider a bigger model railroad. Maybe in a shoe box?

Conclusion

However, planning and building of this layout are very much fun. My ultra micro layout therefore shows in a good way that model railroading fun is always possible, even if only small space, time and money are available.

You will find many more good ideas for micro layouts on the Micro Layout Design Gallery.

Appendix

The jury decided my micro layout not meeting the challenge requirements. They say a "working" model railroad needs an electric powered main drive; hand powered rolling stock is considered as children's toy.

I disagree for the following reasons:
- The challenge rules didn't claim an electric powered prime mover
- Small wagon turntables always give the traction issue, since the (electric powered) loco inherently is stuck to the main track. How do you get the car off the turntable?
- Model railorads in fact are always some sort of "toys", greetings from homo ludens
- The difference between toy railroads and model railroads IMHO is based on the toy-like or harmonious overall look

On the other hand I can understand that the mass of TV consumers has no sense for modelling tricks (Death to Useful Modelling Bits (D.U.M.B.) people). Therefore I made a second try.

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