The Squarefoot Estate Railway
The Squarefoot Estate Railway (SFER) is a G scale (1:22.5) model on 16.5mm track of a 15-inch gauge estate railway, the minimum gauge often used for estate railroads in England and the U.S. It shows the backlot of a large country estate, where the little line hauls sand and gravel from crusher to transfer point, all in 11 x 14 inches.
The Squarefoot Estate Railway: questions and answers
What is being depicted on this layout?
This small piece of real estate represents the “backlot” of a large country estate, where the stylish, sylvan charm of the estate meets the working world of earning a living–in this case, by selling sand and gravel quarried on the estate. A little 15″ gauge railway, the SFER, hauls the stuff from crusher to transfer point.
What scale and gauge is this?
This is G scale, 1:22.5, the same as LGB meter-gauge trains. Gauge is 16.5mm modeling the Minimum Gauge of 15″, often used for estate railroads both in England and the U.S., as well as for industrial and construction lines. The minimum radius used on this industrial-style layout is 6 inches, which scales out to about 12 feet–very prototypical.
Why such a small layout?
The SFER is an exploration of the smallest possible size for a working model railroad in a large scale. It occupies only 11×14 inches–a total of 139 square inches including the Backstage area. Less than one square foot!
Are these commercial models?
The locomotive and cars are either “from the box” or kitbashed versions of commercial models by Sidelines Models in England. This range can be viewed or purchased online at Pepper7 .
To explore more on the SFER…
Designing the Squarefoot
Construction was easy and fun
Rolling stock on the SFER
How are the cars loaded and unloaded?
What else can you do with this layout?
View the SFER press coverage
See a QuickTime movie of SFER operations!
Frequently asked questions
What does the Squarefoot Estate Railway depict?
It shows the backlot of a large country estate, where the estate meets the working business of selling sand and gravel quarried on the estate. A little 15-inch gauge railway, the SFER, hauls the stuff from crusher to transfer point.
What scale and gauge is the Squarefoot Estate Railway?
It is G scale, 1:22.5, the same as LGB metre-gauge trains. The 16.5mm track models the 15-inch minimum gauge, which was often used for estate railroads in England and the U.S. as well as for industrial and construction lines.
How small is the layout?
It takes up only 11 x 14 inches, or 139 square inches including the backstage area. That is less than one square foot. It explores the smallest possible size for a working model railroad in a large scale.
What is the minimum radius on the layout?
The minimum radius is 6 inches, which scales out to about 12 feet. That is very prototypical for an industrial-style line.