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Gn15 layout @ WorldRailFans

My Gn15 layout

My personal preference is for the practical or functional railway rather than the pleasure line, so my layout reflects the more industrial and utilitarian scene rather than miniatures of standard-gauge locos (or will do as I build it).

Finding a happy balance between "normal domestic usage" and a model railway has always been a problem. In the United Kingdom, small "shelf-layouts" are quite common but generally they do not exactly enhance the room they are in.

Whilst puzzling over this I came across IKEA IVAR modular shelving. This comes in a variety of sizes, but essentially all sections are based around a pitch of 33¼" (i.e. distance between centres of adjacent legs). This is a little short for a model railway but modules this long should fit in almost any car and the convenience of the IVAR range is a major bonus. The "short" legs are also a fraction over 4' high, a comfortable height for operating a layout.

By using the IVAR shelving underneath (including a range of cupboards and drawers) you can have functional, attractive storage in the house with a model railway that just slots on top. For exhibitions, all you need is a spare set of legs.

The following diagram (drawn up by John Pitty, chairman of our model railway club - www.seaboard-southern.org.uk) shows the general idea:

We all adapted the basic design to our own needs. Provided the thickness of the top and thus the rail height are equal, the height of the facia and back scene are of less importance. My boards are 24" deep, John Pitty's are 20". Our club uses this general design for On30, I have two of them on which I will build my Gn15 layout.

To be continued...

Narrow-minded
and proud of it!