Greetings Trainboard! I know there have been a few (albeit out-of-date) threads on the topic (i.e. Hollow Core Door layouts) and there is the excellent resource from Atlas here regarding small layouts, but why not a recent one filled with photos of door-sized and smaller layouts for inspiration? I know I personally am about to begin my journey into N-Scale and have seen some truly great small layouts, after all that's why many of us make the switch. I certainly hope to have photos soon. Otherwise, bring on the layouts/trackplans/scenery! [Moderators, if I am out of line please let me know! I've done a search but have not found anything within the past two years...]
There are some photos in our HCD Layout Society Group. http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/group.php?groupid=33
HCD in a Box Here is my HCD layout or as I call it Canada in a box. Being in my garage I made it so it folds up and down. It is still under construction and as you can see it is more of a diorama than for operations. I love to scenic and build custom models so this suites me just fine. Hope you like it.
My small HCD layout for my office/hobby room is still evolving...given the little time I have to dedicate to hobbies...I find this time divided between building and detailing diesels and rolling stock, with only a small bit devoted to the layout proper... There have been a few changes to the original plan and philosophy...and more may be forthcoming (I may be going to Kato Unitrak!) You can follow the progress from this thread http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine...e-quot-Santa-Fe-quot-room&highlight=arbomambo and here are a couple of piocs as the layout stands now... Unitrack is being used to rough 'out' the new outer loop after pulling up the double track cork roadbed...the more I fiddle and run trains on the Unitrack, the more I'm tempted to use it as my final product...allowing me to 'get on with it!'- getting to the scenery, wiring, etc... Look at John Sings' great use of painted, weathered, and ballasted Unitrak! Respectfully, Bruce
If you are pressed for space....buy a HCD WITH a frame. Hang it on the wall. It only hangs out 4 1/2 inches from the wall !!! The only drawback is you wont be able to have tall mountains or any buildings that are to tall (although there are exceptions). Check out my thread on my hanging HCD layout... http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?138860-New-hanging-HCD-Layout
Guys these looks great! Thanks for the inspiration--it's nice to see progress and other layouts! @arbomambo: Why did you tear up the cork mainline? I'm trying to debate b/w Unitrack and C55 as well. Also plan on modeling the ATSF in Colorado on a fictional division. For us ATSF guys John Sing has a great resource I agree! @EngineerBill: Great, great, great idea! I have not seen that before and the modeling looks top notch. Can't wait to see further progress. @Hemi: Rarely see layouts modeling the winter. Like the dual season idea and simple trackplan. Great for running trains, eh? @mtn: Another cool example of the folding concept. I like the idea of doing something similar and building a box lid for the layout (a la Dave Vollmer) for protection when moving, but luckily I'm not so cramped for space that I have to fold the layout away.
I love the Atlas code 55...and I really do want the most prototypical-looking track I can use...after all...I spend a lot of time super-detailing locos, rolling stock, structures, etc..so why wouldn't I want super-detailed trackwork...? I'm finding that Unitrak may have to be the compromise point on this little layout...the layout is designed to get me 'back' into N scale, provide a place to test locos and rolling stock as they leave the work bench, AND fit into the room decor. This won't be the 'end all' of my N scale modelling, and I plan to construct a series of one-track modules that will be ultra portable... It comes down to this...with Kato Unitrack, I can have trains running now, as I get into the serious scenery phase...if I do Atlas code 55, I'm still 6 months away, considering my current work schedule! Respectfully, Bruce
Routeofthechiefs, the whole idea was to run trains. This particular part of the route has no industry, no switching other than the occasional bad ordered car. The goal was to recreate a tiny slice of Colorado circa 1980. I too used Atlas Code 55, and am thrilled with the results. I wanted to get away from the unprototypical track of code 80, and in a layout that doesn't need to be disconnected and rebuilt (modular), Code 55 will be suitable. Heavily used modular layout benefit from C80 for its durability. My snow scene was inspired by Mike Danneman's layout (featured several times in NSR mag). I used his method to create the snow scene. The difference is he is a code 80 guy, and I used c55 on mine; so there was some minor differences how the snow scene was done on the ROW. The portion of the layotu that I did the snow scene on is locked in the depths of winter for months at a time, hidden deep in shadows until the sun int he late spring rises far enough north to crest the treetps on the steep hillsides. Winter stays from October-May in this particular area, and snow suits the layout well. The snow is just neat to model too.
Engineer Bill, Love this idea! I have seen similar layouts. I love the way you use the cabinet doors to hold the layout up. Craig
CraigN, RE: the doors are used because the entire top portion lifts off the storage cabinet bottom. There are lift handles on each side. I was in the military and needed to move frequently. This was the answer for me. I use a piano hinge to ensure against warping. The frame is birch plywood with corner bracing for rigidity also. Despite being in "a box" I can use some pretty tall structures. Only bad thing was I didn't have access to foam so used homasote on top of the door. My HCD isn't so light anymore, but I get a free workout everytime I lift it up! BoxCab It's not easy modeling Canada down here in Texas, but I try. Puts a whole new meaning on selective compression! Bill
Here's my small layout. These pics are pretty old...next time you see it things will be very different. Probably have some updates sometime in September.
Please don't feel that you need to apologize for using Kato's UniTrack. While it's true that the Atlas code 55 is more prototypical and can be better looking than the Kato once it is ballasted and weathered, Unitrack's robustness and reliable operation are hard to match. I also very much like the Unitrack super-elevated curves, but unfortunately they are only available in double track sections at this time. The trains do look much better when they lean into the curves, and super-elevating other brands of track isn't nearly as easy as plugging together the UniTrack! Bill in FtL
