Looking Forward To The Challenge

I am a retired pipeline technician (2008) and I retired from the Army National Guard (1995). I own both American Flyer (4 Steam Engines) with a few cars and some N Scale (KATO Heavy Mikado 2-8-2 & Lifelike F7) with several cars and quite a bit of track and around 10 turnouts.

I want to work in the N Scale. I have an area that will allow me to have a U shaped layout running along two (2) walls. The legs of the U will be 12' each and the run between them could be as much as 8'-10'.

I enjoy scratch building and I know I will enjoy the landscaping. Like most beginners, I am having a difficult time knowing where to start. I am going to build the benchwork along the two (2) walls. That should keep me busy for a while. I will add the second leg of the U later.

I need lots of help and will be asking a lot of questions as this project begins to unfold. I am excited to have the opportunity to create this layout. I want to enjoy the journey.

 

Hi Major Dad, Welcome. Boy, can I ever relate to your quandary. It took me 60 years to finally create something that I'm proud of in N-Scale. OK, there were a few delays...high school, college, Uncle Sugar, marriage, kids, career, and retirement...FINALLY. My point is, now with your retired status, decision on N-Scale, you have an excellent opportunity to let your imagination go wild. Ask any/all questions, we're here for you and love to chat/help.

 

Welcome aboard, Majordadsage. I can tell you have the right start, considering most of your locos are steam! From a resident steam nut.

 

Thanks Hytec....we took our granddaughter to Biloxi in 2012, rented a condo and let her and one of her friends enjoy the beach. There is a IHOP across from the beach. It was next door to where we stayed.

It seems that it doesn't take long for the layout to grow. I had a 4'x8' area but, I took it apart earlier this evening. I am going with a U shaped layout that will run along two walls and the 2nd leg of the U will extend out in the room about 8' from the wall. I am going to build the benchwork for the first leg of the U tomorrow evening. Just trolling different layouts this evening trying to get some ideas. I have a turn-table but not sure I am going to use it. I would like to have it in my train-yard with a scratch built roundhouse.

 

Thanks for all the encouraging post. I appreciate the warm welcome. I need to find a club nearby. Not sure how close one is.

 

I will post a drawing of what I am going to build. Not sure when that will be. Probably sometime this week. The U will be positioned so that the curve of the U is a straight run (about 8') along a wall, the right leg of the U will be on another wall, and the other leg will extend out in the room. No part of the layout will be more than 30" deep (front edge to wall).

Thanks for all the good information. Definitely still in the planning stages. Have been for over a week.

I would like to find a club here in southern Indiana

 

View attachment 69370 I am posting the first part of my benchwork. This should keep me busy for a while. You are looking at an 11' run that is 30" wide for 8'.
The last 3' of the run make it an L shape. the nearest portion is 4' wide. I have a couple of ideas for the layout. I am certainly open to suggestions. Please be kind when critiquing the benchwork.

I have found 1/4" foam (20"x30" at Dollar General). I thought I might use it lowest elevation and then use 1" & 2" Styrofoam for any higher elevations and mountains/hillsides.

I saw on another post where the track in the train yard was laid pretty much ground level. That is my thinking for the 1/4" foam. I have thought that I might have some industrial sidings and a staging area located on this 11' foot run. Again, I need advice...how quickly can I go from 1/4" foam to 2" foam and not cause a problem for my locomotives?

That's enough for now. Thanks in advance. I am still drawing, looking on line, etc. trying to get some ideas.

 

I recommend against using Styrofoam. Styrofoam is made by compressing large loose particles which spread all over when cut and make a huge mess. What most use, including myself, is blue or pink foam board insulation available from building supply stores. Foam board is a urethane product which cuts cleanly with a box cutter or similar sharp blade. Foam board is available in thicknesses of 1/2" and 3/4" at Lowe's or Home Depots, and 2" in high population areas, unfortunately not mine.

I used two layers of 3/4" foam board which allowed me to cut the top layer to form a river bed, seen under the bridge just beyond the factory.

BTW, I can't pull up your attachment.

 

I am using the pink stuff. It is 2" foam insulation and I have some 1" also. I am not using Styrofoam. Just used the wrong name.

I will try to reload the attachment.

I like the facing you put around your layout. It looks very nice.

 

It is a start??

I need to be a little more creative when designing. I like the curvatures you added to your layout. I am gluing down some foam
in hopes of laying some track soon.

Thanks for the reply