Having recommended the 'ask first' approach for those aspiring to build a realistic layout it would be invidious if I failed to follow my own advice, therefore I made a list of constraints and desires.

Constraint:

1. Available space - 4,8mx3m
2. Time - complete and running within 2013
3. Cost - No single item more than 150Eu


Desire:

1. HO 2 Rail DCC
2. Location - former KBayStsB
3. Period - Ep3
4. Style - continuous run

Space - 4,8m in HO represents no more than 700m of prototype track, hardly large enough for even a small station.


IMG_9978.JPG

Having looked at several trackplans, none have been really suitable, too many have the appearance of too much track in too little space and my chosen ratio of track/scenery is 50/50 therefore I must use selective compression to squeeze in the essential layout design elements whilst retaining an appearance of space

My first choice of good trackplans for the space-starved modeller is here: 
http://www.lokalbahn-reminiszenzen.de/gleisplaene/gleisplan_frameset.htm

This is a particular favourite: http://www.lokalbahn-reminiszenzen.de/gleisplaene/waldtalbahn.htm

Tim