Hi, I was wonering if you know of anybody built Atlas Layout # N-18. i would like to build the same one but I have some question that I would like to ask. Please let me know if you know any one built that. Thanks. Mo
I'm pretty sure that's the plan that our own Fotheringill has built. He talks about it a couple of threads. You can find any of his recent posts here on the N scale forum and private message him. Or post something like "Calling Fotheringill". He said "...I followed the last plan in the second Atlas plan book, the N-18 layout." in the following thread: http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/9/t/004757.html Regards
and not sure...i guess it all depends on how often he reads his mail (pm...private message...well basically email ) oh...forgot to add before... welcome to the trainboard
"I am in contact with Mo.." Did you warn him that he's "on the clock" from the time you start reading his email?
No clock ever for anyone at Trainboard for train related items. It is my pleasure to help. I make up for the time during the extra three hours of rotation in your universe.
Mo- I am going to post this response so that anyone else may give you the benefit of their experience, both specific and general. It is the best way to get information, from many and not just one source. Please remember, I, too, am still learning. You are rushing. PLEASE slow down. The first book (@1970 edition) will show measurements from edges, etc. for the cuts. The newer version of the book does not. You still may have to modify placement of some cuts depending on your track placement. I would absolutely NOT cut anything tomorrow. Lay out your track WITHOUT AFFIXING IT TO ROADBED OR PLYWOOD and turnouts and study the layout. Make sure that it is what you want. If you take a careful, slow look at my pictures, you will see some in there "as built" per N-18 and near the end modifications. Several things must be known before you can be properly advised. 1. Are you going to be running steam ? If so, some of the tight turns will make you lose your hair. 2. Does a yard area with one way in and out work for you? 3. Is a double figure 8 on top what you want? If you plan on any industry or stops up there, it will not suffice. 4. Have you had much experience hand cutting track to make it fit? The double 90 degree crossover dead center on the top will be an absolute killer and if not done 100% right, will cause derailments and uncouplings every time a train goes over it. Do you know what superelevation is? 5. Do you want your trains in constant turns? They will look like hell with all of the 9 3/4" radius turns on the layout. It is a lot to think about and I do not yet know your frustration level. You have chosen the most complex Atlas layout design. It is quite all right, but don't get discouraged. I have some suggestions unique for this layout, referencing the block numbers shown in the book and with the yard area at the bottom of your view- What I am going to suggest will also change your wiring, BUT, here goes- 1. Add a turnout at the left side of block 9 to come into block 8. This will give you more flexibility for use of block 9. 2. Widen the radius of the turn starting where block 2 meets 4. Your powered and other units will be happier for it. Do the same for area where block 1 meets 3 and then goes into a tunnel. 3. Make a double turnout connecting the 10 or 13 to 1 or 3. This will give you another way out of the yard. 4. On the top, IMHO the double figure 8 is useless and a waste of space. You can have one reverse loop up there, Two industrial areas, straight track and an area for a mine or somesuch. I have never seen a picture of any industry or town located on 9 3/4" radius track, which is the majority of what you will have up there (See my relaid track, I think at or near end of page 1 of my album. It is much more workable than the Atlas plan. Careful of the grade that you have on blocks 31& 32 and 33 and 34. Diesels will have no problem, some steam engines might. It can be slightly altered. I think that Atlas, at around 1970, wanted to showcase all of its track products and viaduct and tunnel portals and that is how it came up with this design. If you like the original plan, go with it. But study it first and please ask opinions of our board members. This can be a wonderful and rewarding leisure time activity or a hobby from hell. It is all in how you approach it. If you have a low frustration level, start with a much simpler layout on the benchwork you have. You will get help for our members, I assure you. If you can handle the work on this layout, as planned or as you wish it to be modified, you will also get all the help you need. Mark
Hi, Please visit the following web site and see what I have done. I have a peblem and that is that I can't leave the required minimum space of 15/16 between the parallel tracks. http://www.pbase.com/moshken/atlas_n18 Thanks. Mo
mo, are you talking about the yards? like in pics 22, 23? i think standard track spacing for atlas is 1.5" 15/16" is awfully close...
15/16" is what Atlas says in its plan book. I can assure you that it is a tight fit around the turns with a larger steam locomotives and a PA-1 and the longest car I run is 52'.
I have added a scan photo of what Atlas recommends the space to be. Please look at the web site again. it is the last photo. http://www.pbase.com/moshken/atlas_n18
15/16" spacing as Atlas recommends gives a center- center spacing of 21/16 ". About right for tangent track, should be more for curves. Al ps - sorry Sam, that was the way I read the text, but I now think their card is right. [ 07. February 2005, 23:35: Message edited by: alhoop ]
That's odd, isn't it? The picture definitely shows 15/16". The text 1 5/16". And the problem is you don't have space to do that? If you don't leave enough space- there's a chance your cars may bump each other. I have one spot on my layout where I had to break the rules and lay parallel tracks too close. But it means I can't have two trains pass by there. I have to hold one up to let the other pass. Other than that, your layout looks pretty good!
When I initially read the text, I assumed it was a misprint with a space inadvertently added. I fugured the picture was correct. I was wrong. Another problem is the point where the long S curve meets the top level. If you are using 30 year old remote Atlas turnouts, it is tight, if you are using the newer Atlas remotes, it is too tight. [ 08. February 2005, 20:47: Message edited by: Fotheringill ]
Hi, Hi , I tweaked it a little bit today, and took new photos. Please visit the web site below and see that do you think. Thanks. Mo http://www.pbase.com/moshken/gallery/mos_train
