Looking for advice N scale

McWoot Dec 7, 2020

  1. McWoot

    McWoot TrainBoard Member

    10
    14
    5
    Hi, I am new to N scale and looking for advice! I have made a 4' X 6" benchwork but haven't seen any designs for this size of space. I have lots of Kato track, switches, crossovers, bridges etc. Looking for a layout design with a focus on scenery (mountains and tunnels, bridges over water) and switching yards (want to make an intermodal.). Can anyone point me in the direction of a site or creator that has done something similar?
     
  2. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

    5,685
    2,780
    98
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  3. drgwspup

    drgwspup TrainBoard Member

    94
    60
    17
    Take a look at the n scale project railroad that Model Railroader did in 2010, the Salt Lake Route. That one is a little longer than the space you have but it has an intermodal yard on one side and a small bridge over a desert wash IRC. You could obviously change the desert scene to a mountainous one. Has a backdrop down the center to divide the scenes. And it was done with Unitrack.

    MR also has a database of plans, a fair amount in N scale if you want to subscribe to get access to it.
     
  4. McWoot

    McWoot TrainBoard Member

    10
    14
    5
    Thanks for the tips!
     
  5. drgwspup

    drgwspup TrainBoard Member

    94
    60
    17
    That layout was 4x9 so perhaps you can a) expand your space slightly or b) eliminate some of the features. But three feet is alot in N scale. It was the inspiration for my HCD (hollow core door) that is my Christmas layout under the xmas tree. If you're new to N scale that series of articles would be very helpful to you as it takes you step by step through the entire build process. Try Googling it. I think they might have a PDF that is available online or PM me directly.
     
  6. drgwspup

    drgwspup TrainBoard Member

    94
    60
    17
    Oh, one more thing. I was planning to build that layout with/for my nephew if he lived up to some commitments he made. He didn't, so I have some of the left over pieces that were never used, including the super elevated curves which i was really excited to use. If you decide to go that direction PM me and maybe we can work out a deal.
     
  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,558
    22,733
    653
  8. Dogwood

    Dogwood TrainBoard Member

    525
    1,860
    31
    Maybe my layout on youTube...
     
  9. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

    3,259
    6,172
    70
    Track planning (layout) apps are great for designing your own layout, perhaps from a starting point of an existing plan (like modifying to fit, add/remove features, etc.)
     
  10. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

    3,259
    6,172
    70
    I should add that I use, and recommend, XtrackCAD software, which is free. Includes libraries of sectional track, bridges, etc. as well as flex track and hand-laid track modelling. Also has a large library of footprints for available structures/models.

    I strongly recommend Kato N scale Unitrack sectional track and accessories.
     
  11. Xrayvizhen

    Xrayvizhen TrainBoard Member

    39
    17
    2
    If you like scenery, mountains, bridges, trestles, aqueducts, etc., etc., take a look at 9-mm.ch. It's a Swiss n-scale website, in German. If you never took German in high school (I did but forgot most of it) you can view it in Google Chrome and get an immediate translation which will help you navigate to the pages with the pics & plans. There's a bunch of small layouts, some with Kato trackplans in SCARM, with incredible scenery. I adapted one of them I liked and enlarged it for my space which is 83" x 33".
     

Share This Page