Hi, My name is Chuck and I joined a couple of weeks ago looking for some construction ideas for a new layout. You see, my youngest moved out in February and the basement is finally all mine!:tb-biggrin: Anyway I would just like to say that this is one of the best forum's around. Very informative and easy to navigate. I posted some pictures of an n scale 2' x 4' layout I did a few years ago, built on half of HCD. So check them out if you get a chance. I live in northern New Jersey (please don't hold that against me) Nice to be on board! Chuck
Welcome to TrainBoard! What scale are you planning to model? Will it be N again? I'll move your post to the model railroad Inspection Pit area. So more fellow modelers will see this topic, and hopefully respond. Boxcab E50
Thanks Boxcab, I am doing finishing touches to another 2' x 4' n scale layout I started about six months ago. I'm thinking, now that I have more real estate, that the next layout will be an around the walls shelf style with more switching options. I'm currently trying to decide between HO or N. Regards, CM
Welcome aboard, Chuck. Give us some help here, how big are you thinking about making the layout, what scale, what are your preferences regarding operation, era, favorite road, etc.? Do you have any visions of what it ought to include? Once you start to actually get into the planning, the Layout Design board will probably be your best bet to refine your plans. I lved in northern Jersey for 4 years, 1977-1981. First in Wanaque, then in Garfield. Loved it. Great place. Lots of train action too. Regards Ed
I am happy to see you here, Chuck. Welcome. It is highly unlikely that you will find a better place. :tb-biggrin:
Welcome to TrainBoard, Chuck! Hi Chuck. My name is Chris! How are you? I'd like to welcome you to our lovely community!
Thanks for the welcoming posts. For the last twenty years or so i've been building small n scale continuous run type layouts with some limited switching. Mostly based on the PRR. Some of these layouts (3 or 4) I hauled around to train shows and then sold or gave away. All of them were built on hollow core doors using screw on folding leg sets for support and ease of moving. I think my original inspiration was the Buzzards Cove layout which appeared in MR I believe in the early 90's or maybe even earlier. In any case I think that I am ready for a little more serious venture this time out. I've been thinking along the lines of a shelf type short line, loosely based on the New York, Susquehanna, & Western railroad. I like NS & CSX equipment and there is some really nice looking loco's and rolling stock available in HO gauge. (I have a 7 year old grandson who is crazy about trains so I am thinking the larger size equipment would be better.) I was also thinking of modern era and maybe even some inter-modal. As I mentioned above my new digs (basement) area is approx. 20' by 16' Well, i've rambled along enough for now. Again, thanks for making me feel welcome here. Chuck
Well it looks like you're well along on the preliminary planning process. You have an era, a prototype, an idea of what you want in operation, and a good size room. You experience on the smaller layouts should stand you in good stead on this bigger project. As far as coming to a decision between N and HO, I might suggest going back through the N Scale forum, the HO Scale forum and the Inspection Pit. There have been a number of threads in the past year either discussing the benefits of one over the other, or started by people who switched scales and talked about why they decided on the change. Some of that might help in finalizing your choice, even though you appear to be leaning towards HO at this time. Around the walls layouts are nice. In fact, if there is ever a new layout in my future, it will be an around the walls type. Big decisions there are whether to make it a point-to-point style, or to allow for continuous running. And if you decide that you do want continuous running possibility, whether to have a totally around the walls layout,which will require either a duck-under or some type of gate or bridge that can be opened and closed to allow easier entry. You can also do continuous run on a "C" shaped layout by employiong either return loops at each end or just looping the main at each end. Good luck with the planning process. Ed .