Okay, here's one to have some fun with! Let's say that I have never visited another N-scale layout before (which is not too far from the truth). If you could could send me anywhere to see the best thee (or maybe five) N-scale layouts ever done, what would they be?
The Reid brother's layout will probably be mentioned a lot as it set the initial ground work for viable N scale modeling that could rival HO. One that can be see in the March 2001 MR pp. 69 is The Panoramic New Hampshire Division, Boston & Maine in N Scale. I of course can only go from the pictures, but I love how the back drop is done in a curved fashion. The modeling is well done and I like the track plan. It is a very well (and expensive) thought out layout, including scenery divide, traffic patterns for operators, everything. Sort of locally, Tacomo N Tracker's have a good layout that encouraged me to enter N scale, believing that I could achieve my goals and be happy modeling in a smaller gauge than HO.
I'd have to go with Bernard Kempinski's Appalacian layout. He's got some SERIOUS details, and great scenery in it. Also, in the first N Scale Railroading, that MKT layout really hit me as good stuff. Not like my layout in planning will ever get that popular...
Belmont Shores in San Pedro....and East Valley Lines in Los Angeles. Don't know of too many as well detailed, operate as well and just look terrific!
I have to agree Mike! Actually, Belmont has a long way to go before they totally finish their layout though.
Ok, here are my top 3, and they are not all N-scale! 1. Definately the Reid Brothers Cumberland Valley. They were doing things in N-scale back then that we are only doing now. 2. George Sellios' HO scale Franklin and South Manchester - The man is pure genious. You can look at a pic from his layout and never see the same thing twice. 3. The Choo-Choo Barn's Lionel layout in Strasburg Pa. Why? Because it just pure fun! This is what trains are about - something for everyone. Great animations. P.S. Even though the layout hasn't existed for many years, let us not forget John Allen's Gorre and Daphetid. If I could go back in time, this is the layout I would go see. True pioneer to the hobby. Russ
Having had the opportunity to operate on the Reid Brothers layout two times, with hopefully more to come, I can say that their layout definitely ranks as the top N scale, or any scale, layout I have seen. The scenery and detail are beautiful, the operating concept with two railroads is superb, and the performance is flawless. Only two things could possible improve it the layout; DCC and code 55 rails. There is a little known website that has a tour of the layout at Cumberland Valley System Check it out! Another layout that has the potential to be in the top three is one being built by Rich Weyand, proprieter of Tractronics . He's only in the track laying stage right now, but its going to be right up there. While I would not put my layout in the top three or even five, I think it is one of the few large layouts that is fully signaled. Union Pacific Railroad Rochelle Subdivision I am using sunset signals, circuitron tortoises for mainline turnout control, digitrax for detection, tractronics SECSI cards for driving turnouts and signals, RR&Co software for control via an old PC. Its costing me a fortune, but it is so fun and so cool!!! I would definitely recommend it. Does anyone know of any other large N scale layouts out there that are fully sginaled? The Reids brothers layout does have working signals, but I not sure if they are integrated with turnouts or if they are fully automatic. Daryl Kruse
Don't sell yourself short, Daryl- I've seen your layout on your Website, and the mpeg files are awesome! Your road is on MY Top Five list. I'd highly recommend the rest of you folks check this site out- you'll like it!
I just took a peek and I'm thoroughly impressed and inspired. Top-notch work Daryl! Now I just have to go home and figure out how I'm going to tell my wife that I'm taking over the WHOLE basement for my layout. Then I'll have to take a second mortgage out on the house... If I had the time and resources, I'd take a national tour of all notable layouts . But it would probably take me away from home for months . Maybe there's a travel agent among us that could come up with some tour packages?
Daryl, Really like your layout... I just looked at the photo's and you have done a very nice job. I will go back and look at your track plan. Did you hand lay the diamond crossings and did you use a photo backdrop for clouds, etc? [ 14 December 2001: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Daryl, It was your layout that inspired me to build mine. I also have signalled my layout but only through relays. I am just about to install a radio throttle have to wait until Santa deliviers it next week
That sounds interesting. How do the relays control the signals? The four diamond crossing and all the turnouts are hand laid with code 55 rail. The backdrop is hand painted by a freind, Eloise Krabbenhoft. Daryl P.S. If you have a fast connection to the internet, there is a 18 minute 740X480 video of the layout. Its 400+ woo woo woo though so I would not try it with a dial up. The mpeg, along with the others, is at Auro Train Movies
Well my relays system is not as complicated. In front of each signal a section of track is isolated. when the signal is showing stop then power is isolated to that section so alows trains to stop on approach. when the signal is cleared (By using a switch on the control panel ) then power is switched to the track. One day I may automate the process with IR detectors
Top layouts? 1. The MR Project layout, The Clinchfield RR in N Scale. With out a doubt one of the most significant turning points in the development of N scale. This one really put N scale one the map so to speak. In my case, this series caused me to turf my HO equipment and go solidly into N. 2. The Reid brothers Cumberland Valley system has been the "poster boy" for N scale for years and years. 3. This one is hard to decide there are so many great layouts. I had the opportunity to view the Burlington Northern in N scale project layout in a hobby shop in Bemidji, Minn. Really neat but #3 probably not. BTW Daryl Your layouts look great. Watched one of your MPEGS and looks great.
Not that I would ever dream that one of my small layouts would be considered a classic, but now that the board accepts photos I thought I would post a picture to show folks what can be done in N Scale. The entire layout took about 1 month to build, it cost $240 including the trains and it sold on eBay for approximately $500.... I have other layouts, stories and how-to articles at my web site located at "http://www.m-rail.net" - feel free to visit or leave comments! PS - this is the "Lodi Junction" N scale layout, the "Pennsy on a Shelf" layout is also mine, and you'll see other layouts from folks on the trainboard, too. My current layout is about to launch into the "build" phase... project photos and stories ongoing. [ 15 December 2001: Message edited by: aaman ]
Nice site... As a fellow "orange loco railroad" lover (EJ&E), I wish you luck with the Ann Arbor layout. The plan looks great. I like it when people don't go overboard with track everywhere. I think the scene to scene single track style is very realistic. Dave D. Los Angeles, CA -Rail Radio Online - Home of the "TrainTenna" Rail Radio Monitoring Antenna- http://eje.railfan.net/railradioonline ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Photo Archive & E-Mail List- http://eje.railfan.net ---------------------------------------------------------- -The Ashley, Drew & Northern Railfan Page- http://eje.railfan.net/adn ---------------------------------------------------------- -Southern California Trains- http://eje.railfan.net/socal ----------------------------------------------------------
Two of the layouts on my must see list are our own Alan Curtis's and Paul Cassar's.Hopefully will get to do this next summer. OOPS! Forgot to put Daryl's layout on this list,but he's abit closer to home than the other two. [ 15 December 2001: Message edited by: Catt ]
The best I've seen by far is Monroe Stewart's Hooch Jucntion. 'course I haven't seen the Reid Brother's ...yet
I liked the article on the Hooch jct. in great model railroads.Does he have a web site?Just wondering...
Lodi Junction Plans Hello, I ran acorss your information online and was wondering if you by any chance have the plans for this 2'x4' layout?
