Hey all, I was going to build a 7' x 20" HO switching layout, but I might be having a change of heart and swapping to N-Scale. So far, all I have is the base constructed -- it's basically a clean (foam) slate. I'd like to have continuous running option, but have the emphasis remain on switching. Having said that, the layout is likely to wind up wedged against a wall, so access to the rear will be difficult-to-impossible. Also, I could potentially add 2' x 4" sections to either end to make the curves easier, creating a kind of dogbone shape. However -- and this is where I have been struggling -- that seems to eat up any saved space with more curves. Any suggestions?
If you want continous running I would seriously consider z scale and that is coming from an N scaler. Jerry
One or two industries along a mainline would work well, and each end can contain a loop to staging. For instance, I had designed some track plans years ago that were nothing more than a 2-shelf to represent South Schenectady, NY, and the industries would include Railex, Schenectady Steel, Price Chopper, Papa John's and a lumber yard along a two-track mainline - to the east was to be Amsterdam, NY, while the other end was heading to the CSX Selkirk yard in NY. There was even to be a branch that swung around the outside of the Railex facility to represent the Carmen Cutoff to connect to the Chicago line. Trains could continue east-west in a continuous run affair, and then locals would come in from the east or off the Carmen branch to service the industries modeled. All in an area that would easily fit into your space.
Welcome to N! There's quite a bit that can be done with the space you have. Just to make sure, is this the configuration you have to work with? 3DTrains has some good ideas for locale and industries (as well as flashbacks to the one time I visited Schenectady: mid-Feb with a freeze that froze me toes!) What do YOU envision? Urban? Specific city? What kind of industries? What kind of trains? Diesel? Steam? I run trains of 4-7 cars on a layout 1/2 the size of yours, and it works well. If you could share with us a little bit more of your vision / wants we can help hammer something out.
Wow, MC, you work fast. Let's see... I'm thinking non-big city. A small-to-midsized junction town perhaps or something like that. Certainly not skyscrapers and big warehouses. Proto-freelancing is what I was aiming for -- probably Southern Pacific in the 1970s & 80s in the pacific northwest near the coastline (and potentially even a fictional world where the SP went all the way to Puget Sound, and thus based in Washington, although the scenery would largely by the same [Check out Shelton, WA if you have Google Earth -- that's a pretty good example of the environment I envisioned, and the rail operations there look very interesting -- there's even still a turntable, although that's not necessary]). Industries in a place like that would naturally be logging, although you might also have a port facility in the town if it was located on the coast/sound. I love the water, and a fishery/cannery/etc is enticing to model. I was thinking single-track mainline, and the layout could possibly have a second tier (like a cake) if it would enable the dogbone to double in length by doubling back on itself once. I was trying to design that myself, but I found that the elevated portion of the terrain kind of killed the switching potential, and if that's the case, I'd rather see more switching than a longer mainline, I guess. Thank you for all the help, by the way. It's very, very appreciated.
Hi, See this thread for a 1' x 7' N scale plan I designed as well as the discussion around it. It would fit perfectly in your space, but of course see it as food for thought to get your creative juices flowing... N scale Plan - request for comments - TrainBoard.com Keep us updated with what you decide and post photos. All the best!
FORGET full-size trains and go N scale traction. You can take the curve radii down to 140mm (about 5 1/2").
Trevor: very groovy layout ideas in there. Which did you finally go with, and how is the actual operation working out? KaiserW: What kind of track are you thinking about? Atlas C55 is good flextrack, IMHO, as is Peco C55. The benefit of Peco turnouts include the springloaded throwbar which holds the points, so you don't need a caboose handthrow or a switch machine. You just use your finger to throw the points directly. And how do you feel about building some turnouts? Curved turnouts would increase the options for a layout this size, but Atlas C55 curved are very long, Peco being about 2" shorter, but both fixed radius. Building your own curved turnouts to fit is rather painless, and would make for some smooth trackwork. Here's the FastTracks template library for #6 curved turnouts, so you can see the various sizes. But building turnouts isn't everybody's thing, so just asking. Byron Henderson has a groovy switching layout on his website: more food for thought. As a fan of the Pacific Northwest (& with moocho family in the Seattle area), I applaud your choice of locale!
I would say stay N (unless you're rich enough for z!!) but def. consider keeping your roster down to to GP's and F's and similar 50-60ft. locos. That 20" depth will handle a stock Atlas track curve but if you flex-track the end curves, you can run 90% of two-axle-truck-diesels on a 7" radius turn (if your trackwork is smooth!) without derails, so you'll be ok Also, you could do well with a two-deck layout, using a helix at one end! That would give you a MASSIVE staging yard below, and something less spaghetti-bowl up top for beautiful continuous running! I say go check out the "T-Track" links atop the page here in the N scale forum, and there's a couple over/under winding trackplans on their shelf-size layouts.....
MC, I was actually looking at your website, and your sample Central California Coast plan is almost exactly what I envisioned, right down to a single track main, an emphasis on switching, and a busy port area. The only problem is I think it features custom curved turnouts, and I have neither the skill nor the desire to handlay track. I was looking at the Atlas curved turnouts in Code 55, but, as you said, they're a bit of a funky shape. I've had some luck trimming down turnouts in HO to make them fit in curious places -- is this same thing doable in N?
This is my inspiration, check out this NP site, good food for thought. The Northern Pacific N-Scale Railroad
Took a look at Shelton, WA: there's a lot of stuff there for some great scenes, even more when you include the aggragate loaders off to the northwest. So here's what I was looking at for reference: Turning that into a switching layout is possible, but I wanted to see if I could get your continuous running druther in there as well, without custom turnouts. So here's "Helton, WA", using Peco Finescale (C55) track & turnouts: I chose Peco C55 because the track & turnouts are very reliable, with smaller (in both length & frog) turnouts with conductive frogs available, and, with the spring, you need only your finger to throw the points. I envision your layout build as a shadowbox & displayed at closer-to-eye level (the height of the bed shelf, yes?). I added a 6"x24" detachable extension at the front right. (Notice that I moved one of your 4"x24" bumps 6" to the left to create space for this extension) The piece has a section of backdrop down the center, with the log transfer / car storage pier on the visable side, and two tracks of 24" staging in the back (representing Port Townsend or Bremerton or ?). Not totally necessary but 1) allows for moocho more operations & 2) looks totally cool So some tricks with scenery & buildings will help create the illusion of a working (not toy) railroad: --the warehouse flats are flanked by medium walls, creating more town / industry to service as well as disappearing the train for a bit --the two-story industry & trees at the upper left block out the train and chop the loop into "directions" --the industries front left also act as viewblocks: the industry next to the one-story cannery could be an "open" one (junk, fuel transfer, etc.) if you find the rear industry is totally blocked. --the backdrop (styrene curves nicely) will be key in creating the illusion of depth. For the bridge, you could have a deck plate girder like over the channel in Shelton, or, to make sure there's room for the boats, you could try something like this: Yours will be on a curve, but hey, it'll look cool! Either way, a 2" chunck of foam is all you'll need for this layout. I suggest pushing your era back a wee bit, then you could use GP9/18 or RS-3s or ? for the road power, and 70T, NW2, SW1200 or other available switchers. All car spots & car capacities were calculating using 50' cars. Hope it sparks some ideas! Otherwise, you should really check out this HO switching layout thread: many many great ideas that you can adapt for N or keep in HO. Good luck!
Wow MC, that's awesome -- no, incredible -- work! *Edit* And I agree with you on pushing the era back a bit. I was actually eyeing the Atlas RS-11s in the old SP Blackwidow scheme that are about to be released as my primary power. You did an unbelievable job on this for a complete stranger. It's nice to see someone do something like that in this day in age.
Seven feet long by twenty inches wide?? You won’t get continues running off that unless you are willing to use 9” radius curves at each end leaving you with only one inch from the edge of the table. I’d suggest looking at some of the long narrow switching layouts in “101 Track Plans” as well as some of the other Kalmbach track plan books. Select an HO plan that fits in/on a table that is only slightly larger than yours then shrink only 25 or 30 percent to fit. Never try halving it as many books say can be done. It can’t.
Thanks for the positive feedback! As someone who's moved (on average) once a year for the past 11 years, I'm always looking for interesting small, portable layouts. And the Pacific Northwest is one of my favorite places, having spent moocho time up there visiting family (some of my best memories include sailing the Sound with my grandfather). Funny: I've never actually driven up the Olympic Peninsula from Olympia to Bremerton. We've always taken the ferry over to Bainbridge Island, and then up to Port Townsend / Port Angeles, etc. Anyway: couldn't resist trying KaiserW's original 20"x84" specs: Still doable with Peco Finescale (C55), though some rail comes within an inch of the backdrop & front. You could shift the rightside backdrop a little left, and make most of the far right track hidden staging (about 6 car capacity), though that would mean relying even more on the backdrop for illusion of depth. And, as is, you can always use a detachable extension. These are 9" curves, so I'd run 40' cars, with 6 car trains. I have some similar curves on my 23"x41" layout, and NW2, 70T, 44T, 4-6-0, 0-8-0 & 2-6-0s all run fine. No speeding! And you definitely need to do all the slight-of-scenery tricks to create viewblocks & whatnot. This space is probably better for a switching layout, but, dang it, sometimes it's fun to just watch the trains roll though & around! I'm sure others could offer other plans or improvements. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
