Looking at a 4x8 with a little math

Just how big is the once ubiquitous 4' by 8' layout? As many layout builders have found out, not very. Let's take a look at how things scale out.

(Caution: technical paragraph.) Assuming HO scale, with a scale factor of 87.1:1, where 87.1' in scale equals 1' full size. Going from full size to scale is a matter of multiplying by 87.1, while going from scale to full size requires division by the same factor. Calculating the final column was done using the values in the "Actual" column. Calculated numbers are shown to 2 decimal places.

Description	Actual	Scale feet	Scale inches	Number to fill 4'
Layout width	348.4'	4'	48	n/a
Layout length	696.8'	8'	96	n/a
4x8 sheet of plywood	4' x 8'	.046' x .092'	.55 x 1.10	87.1, 43.55
Semi Truck	65'	.75'	9	5.36
Average Boxcar	40'	.46'	5.5	8.71
Single Road Lane	12'	.14'	1.7	29
Two Lane Road	30'	.34'	4.13	29
30x50 Building	30' x 50'	.34' x .57'	4.13 x 6.9	11.61, 7
Golden Gate Bridge	6463.25'	75.29'	890.5	.054
1 Mile	5280'	60.7'	727.43	.065
Pitcher's mound to home plate See note	60.6'	.70'	8.35	5.75

Note: 1 mile just happens to scale out to approximately the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate.