Hello everybody. I'm planning on building my firstN Scale layout. I haven't decided on too many details yet; it's gonna be N Scale, 6ft by 3ft, and will probably be a freelance shortline (would like some elevation and grades, so it'll probably be set in western Nebraska). I' planning on using Kato Unitrak on the main for smooth running. It'll probably run four axle power. Anyways, I need some helpful advice. Curves: What radius do you suggest. I'm looking at 11" right now. Grades: how should I figure those out? I don't want them too steep, but with only 6ft by 3ft, I don't have tons of room. How far apart should track-center's be on sidings? Sorry, I don't have any track with me to measure myself...
Curves - Visible: As large as possible for appearance. That is why flex track is nice, you can make radii as large as you want. - Not visible: No smaller than what your equipment can stand. 11" should be OK unless you're running modern, long stuff. Grades - As a general rule, 2 to 2-1/2% maximum. If you're modelling western Nebr., probably that's a lot steeper than you would find out there (Unless you're planning on having your track climb Scott's Bluff or Chimney Rock!) 2% would give you a rise of almot 1-1/2" over 6 ft.
You can hardly beat flex track for BIG curves. I have some that measure 26"-33" rad. on mine. I laid them out using a tripod with a 1x2 that had holes drilled in it to insert a pencil to draw out the desired radii. The 1x2 had holes drilled at 0" for the axis, and 18-36" every 2" for one, and LARGE one with graduations from 24"-58" rad. Works well. As for grades on a small layout, use Woodland Scenics grades, the foam subterrain system, I think. SIMPLE to use, and not too expensive. My layout is 17x9', and some of the grades are longer than 8'. I have just drawn out the grade on foam, attached 2 1x4's on either side (parallel) with clamps,a nd cut the foam, dragging the hot-wire cutter along the boards. Ensure the boards are exactly where you want 'em. This is quick, cheap, and makes any % grade you want. I use 2" thick foam. I also figured roughly that 2" rise in 8' is about 2%, 3" is 3% and so on. HTH
I plan to run "shorty" cars. You can have more cars in less length. Also, since it's going to be a short line branch, I don't plan on too many long modern rolling stock. Four axle diesels and cars less than 40' will probably be the norm.
I am about to contradict almost everything I have said in this forum. We have a smaller layout, about 2 1/2 by 8 1/2 that I bought used to have something while I built our larger layout. What I have found is that you can cheat big time on grade if you are running short trains. So if you run 6 cars and an SD40 lets say, then you can sneak in a larger grade. BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you really have to be careful and definitely have a vertical easement. If you don't it will be heart ache city. A vertical easement is softening the curve that is made by the grade, especially on the upper level. I have seen two layouts with 11% grades, ours being one in N scale, and another being at a store - Pacific Scale Rail (hobby shop) - in Greater Vancouver, BC. The store layout (HO) gets away with a large grade because the most cars pulled is about 4 or 5 40 footers. If you have a steep grade, then emphasize the short line aspect with really short trains. This isn't as bad as it sounds. I have a buddy in HO who is building a respectably large basement layout around the theme of a way freight only concept. His longest train will be 7 cars (40 footers). Our small layout gains about 2 1/4 inches in about 3 feet, but we pull only short trains. The layout is primarily a switching layout on the lower area, with the trains going around the layout on the outside, elevated on a bank. By creating a slightly higher elevation in the back, the layout becomes more visually appealling, and the back is more visible. [ 04 June 2002, 18:47: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Anybody know a formula for computing grade? How far apart (elevation in inches) should two levels be for adequate clearence (not worrying about autoracks or double stacks)? [ 04 June 2002, 20:36: Message edited by: Jimbo ]
thanks, I dug up an old physics notebook and figured it out (I should've known, I am a pilot and climb performance and distances should be a no brainer ). Here's my idea: I want a small full circuit layout with continuous run capabilities (for when I just wanna run something). I want to center the layout around two central industries plus one or two smaller ones. Since this is my first layout, I don't want to go overboard on scenery, but I want grades, so an upper and lower level should do. I am entertaining a folded figure 8 (hence the idea to use smaller turn radius). I want to run the "shorty" grain hopper cars, so one of the industries will be a small grain elevator (Cornerstone has a nice model). Since I lived in Battle Creek for two years, I also want to model a small cereal plant. These two industries would compliment each other. the other industry would be something with "shorty" tank cars. These cars would allow me to run a shorter train containing more cars. If I knew what kind of facility produced corn oil, that would fit in even better. I'm working a basic idea up on my computer, I'll post it when it's completed for comments. Thanks every1 for your contributions, keep em coming!
Okay, here's a ROUGH idea of what I want. It's not to scale; I drew it up on paper and determined a suitible plan with a maximum grade of 7% using 12 3/8" turn radius on all corners. Sidings and spurs are not accurately placed; I'll decide on their placement as I collect buildings (it looks like I may have to combine several kits for the cereal factory).
<sigh> Angelfire can be such a pain i the butt sometimes. try this: layout idea [ 05 June 2002, 00:16: Message edited by: Jimbo ]
Jimbo, If you plan on running really short trains, you will get away with 7%, but remember my comment on vertical easements... really..really important. I think your layout looks good and will be fun to operate. Think DCC. I am going to edit this post and show you a 4 by 8 HO layout that is different and has some staging, but I think he should have added some more track to his staging. This idea is to get your creative juices flowing: http://www.guildford-surrey.fsnet.co.uk/bkw/Page_1x.html [ 05 June 2002, 05:03: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Not to stray from the topic at hand, but I checked out that HO scale link Rick put in, and I see several possibilities for adapting to N scale- for instance, using a hollow-core door, more tracks in the staging areas (never can have enough staging, IMHO)- but, this is best left for another topic. Or.......... This plan could be adapted for N scale & made to fit your needs. No grades that I can see, but the staging yards can allow for a point-to-point operation, with trains coming on stage, running across, and going offstage on the other side. Or, if you wish, some continuous running. May be worth looking into...........
Obviously with the grades it will be a work in progress. I left some flexibility with the layout design so I can improvise on the fly with track placement and steepness, as well as building placement. This plan is based on another plan I found in a planning guide published a while back by Kalmbach (I cannot remember the name). I liked the idea because it had plenty of operation with continuous run (something you can't really find in small layouts). I modified the published twice around to the design you see above. You guys have been really helpful. If you have any other great ideas, keep em comin'!!!
