In my intro post someone wanted pics or a peek at what I'm doing so I guess this is the thing to do like most forums - post a build thread - since I am a semi n00b, and do have some formidable model skills in some regards I am always open to criticism/feedback/help and I will def need some along the way but I've already spent hours watching videos and trying to get ideas. Layout theme - Well I wanted it to be a northern California, small town type of layout with a mountain or large hill/tunnel with redwood trees on it and a river or water feature - a "main street" downtown - maybe some residential and originally I said no industries but I've added one just for some character. Maybe a mix of modern and vintage buildings. I know here in NC, if you go into small towns, the entire town is virtually all early 1900s buildings, some older. I was going to use Jimmy's track plan but decided to keep it simpler and since I'm not planning expansion I cut off some of his track plan. I'm not using his landscape or street layout. I used his track plan in order to know which pieces of Kato to order. On the straights I'm planning a girder and truss bridge going over a river. (see my photo) Size: 2x4 Era: Modern day Electronics - DCC? DCC+ DCC++EX? Power Cab Digitrax? Lighting - Woodland Scenics light hubs for structures, street lights. Industries: 1 - Montana Cans Paint factory Loco: Some sort of Union Pacific DCC loco Streets - I think I will use the double sided tape, spackle method or whatever it is. Where they will run or go - is up in the air. Downtown/Residential - Still up in the air - shopping for structures. Possibly using Outland Models Modern downtown buildings. Or using more vintage buildings with some modern amenities. Businesses: Gas Station - Walthers Donut Shop - Strip Club - "Merchant row?" - Hotel? Diner? I've got some Kato pieces on order to move the paint factory out closer to the edge of the turn to free up some space. I've also ordered bridges to go over the river. I ordered a light hub starter set as well test and replace the stock LEDs on the Model Power Shell station and paint factory. Next steps are really figuring out the layout of the roads/buildings/mountain/tunnel. All feedback is welcome and appreciated.
It's 2' x 4' right? I have two layout bases that size and it's a great size to model. I suggest you don't glue anything down till you are sure you don't want to expand at some point, if yo have room, for another 2' x 4' to form and L. You'll also be amazed how much money you can spend on a tiny layout that size. What exactly is the RED scribble areas? After going from a Bachmann EZ Command Controller for 3-4 years, I just got a NCE PowerCab and recommend it. Yes, it expensive, but if you take care of them they have good resell value, as well does most quality DCC locomotives. Of course others might steer you in a different direction. I want an ALL in one, manufactured controller and don't want to deal with DCC ++, but for some they love that stuff, not me. Looking forward to this cause it similar to mine in size and I might get some ideas from you? What and where is Jimmy's track plan, link please, for ideas. Good luck, and mostly have fun and enjoy!
Just buy the whole "Town in a box"... https://www.micromark.com/Woodland-...4576717156443621&utm_content=Structure Kits-N
Hey - Here's Jimmy's track plan https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=M2NFV1VBTUo1ejVSaWRFN1hTVjNlVjFzQWl5b2l3 Video series: What I don't like about his layout is the massive puffball tree section - it's like a big waste of space. I get wanting to divide the layout or create sections but it just seems like a wasted opportunity. It def keeps the cost down. His build series is really helpful for this layout - because all I have to do is really just customize it to my liking. Power Cab I agree is worth it from what I can see. I def want to build a bunch of structures and start playing around with layout without gluing. Yes 2x4 - but I'm already thinking "damn what could i have done with 3x5?" hahaha. Red squiggles are areas of track I have eliminated from my design.
Haha yeah that's cool I saw that, but I like cherry picking my pieces and businesses. I'll see you in 2025 after painting and weathering all those buildings.
Proud new owner of this piece I just won - yeah I know I said "one industry." It seems a little rare so I nabbed it.
Looking forward to the progress on your build. So already second guessing yourself on the size of the layout? Too funny! I only had space for the Two 2'x4' bases, and mine are on folding tables and I can barely lift them, but I can. One has to be stored at times forming the L Your layout, you buy what you want Good luck! And have fun!
Yeah well, 2x4 fit nicely on my land lady's storage chest and I will have to move it at some point when I find my house. It's definitely not my last layout I'm sure. The problem is I can't slow my brain down on ideas for the layout
Kato track is soooo reusable that I would: Put it down Test it Envision Expansion Maybe a link / spur or two going off to the lest or right, (or both) in an 'L' or 'I' shape. Draw a few sketches to get the feel for it.c It could be to 1'x2' areas Trace it Paint the board Put the track down Test it Glue it down with standard white glue Likely some will dissagree with me. There is more than one way to reach the center. As for scenery? Consider making it removable so you can change is later.
Pretty much the plan - I will pick up the Kato DC controller I suppose. It's cheap track too. I think it's relatively cheap for what you get. I had a Bachmann EZ track loop that was working great but I can't get it turn in tighter and give me more edge room. Jimm's track plan includes expansion. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=M2NFV1VBTUo1ejVSaWRFN1hTVjNlVjFzQWl5b2l3 My plan is just to build a larger N layout for my next one.
I subscribe to 'Jimmy'. His planning, delivery and execution of videos is excellent. It is very 'natural'. If you build the benchwork with the same structure as 'Jimmy' your table will be reusable as well.
-Truss and Girder bridges are on the way -Ordered 2 undecorated N scale box cars last night to create Montana Cans box cars to sit parked on the turn out by the factory -Lowenbrau Brewery kit on the way - I may or may not use it. But it will be fun to build. The street design is going to be a challenge - I might just use a diagonal main street going down off the corner of the layout where my strip club will be in the bottom right corner.
Picked this up for practice if I can’t turn it into my local European car shop Black Forest Industries. Really annoyed by the missing section. It’s exactly the building I need.
Let me know the size of that end wall. I have some wall pieces left from my "Town In A Box' that might work. Be happy to send it to ya.....
Where did you buy it that it is missing a piece? A kit, already assembled? And HO instead of N? I almost ordered the wrong scale items, but caught it right before, I am sure it will happen at some point when I am not paying attention?
