Using Woodland Scenic's HO kit...but for N Scale?

My first layout was Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge. I'm happy with it. The biggest draw for me was the led-by-the-hand nature of the instructions.

Now, for my next layout I want to go a little bigger (4x8, 3x10) something like that. I like long, continuous runs and space for scenery. My question is: Does it make sense to use WS's HO kits, and then just scale down the tunnels and lay N Scale track on the same risers? I'm not the most creative guy...what am I missing?

AND!!! I don't ever want 4% grades again...surely there's an easy way to avoid that this time.

Thanks!

 

When asked at train shows by people wanting to get started in N, I would tell them to find an 4x8 HO plan that they liked and copy it using N track in place of the HO, the spacing of sidings and yards need adjustment but not by much. Go for it. later, Craig

 

You mentioned using the same HO risers for N scale, and also wanting to avoid 4% grades, this time. What you are missing is that a 4'x8' layout in HO will need the same grades for track to cross over itself as a 2'x4' layout in N scale. To avoid that, you will need to adjust any vertical track differences to just give enough clearance for N scale, rather than HO scale. That will effectively cut your grades in half. But, it will require that you adjust risers, or whatever is used to support track at different elevations. Not too hard to do IF the layout is constructed from parts that can be adjusted. BUT, a layout that is one big piece of foam would make that ridiculously difficult.