Getting back into this hobby after many years. Had an HO layout years ago, never really finished it and moved.
getting started in N. Limited space, of course. Struggling to pick a design for layout after much research. Limitations are 36 X 76. I also enjoy (and so will grandson) continuous running but also want to do some switching. I would like a somewhat functional yard. Inspiration my entire life for interest is the train layout at Chicago's Science and Industry Museum. In a very redacted way, would like some tie in to that. Plan to use kato unitrack and zephyr starter DCC. Also going to model in a freelance way. BNSF and will run kato locomotives. 6 axle on the main for sure. I enjoy modern power. Believe I can get away with minimum anywhere 11 inch radius and outer main line 12 3/4. would use a 4 axle for switching and building train/trains for the main.
Would like a little water and a hilly/mountain area and an industry/city area. Like to give the illusion or feeling of point to point, and be able to run multiple trains. Perhaps combine a passing siding into yard? Can't determine if should be double track or single with siding(s). Maybe a figure 8 for longer run? I know there are compromises to be made. Fully ok with the "idea" of stuff, in other words scaled down representation. A little spaghetti bowl is ok, I like trains running and action. I want to be able to practice a bunch of different types of scenery.
Ive tried to mess with a design program but with little success. Any suggestions or advice you can give would be very appreciated.
to the forum. Your initial posts are moderated. I believe when they are approved they appear as if they were posted 2 days ago, meaning the are at the bottom of the stack of new posts
I’m not the design guy but this will kickstart your post to the top of the cue
I did see a Ken Patterson youtube last night, where a guy with a very big layout regreted double track. He called it a race track, as opposed to an opportunity to have passing sidings
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I didn't/don't use a track plan,just layed track, moved it till I liked it. End results are I like what I have and it works to serve my needs.
What if, you took paper and pen,draw out your area,in some scale. and start drawing. Start with a simple loop,add a spur and so on.If you don't care for it, turn page over and try again. Once you get an acceptable design, you can fine tune it.
Or, you can spend the better part of the rest of your life looking at the many,many,many plans out there.
I don't think anyone can tell you what you may or maynot like or want
RR_MelEarly on I went with the original John Allen G&D plan in HO scale on a 4’ x 8’
I've always liked that plan. I think it has been called the "twice around".
Mike.
My You Tube
Again to the MR forums, hope you stick around!
Firstly 3’ by 6’ is VERY small. N scale was a good choice!
I think you have the unfortunate situation of trying to model big, modern mineline with a very small space. Still, I can get that such a prototype appeals to you.
It seems to me that a yard and a continuous loop main are a must, so we’ll stick with that. I am going to say that a figure 8 is going to be very difficult with only 6’ long layout, so I will scratch that idea. I would recommend putting the yard in the middle of the loop, it will give you more space for more tracks and a longer main line run. A double track racetrack seams to be a better idea to me. The YouTube video segment mentioned earlier was talking about large layouts with room for passing sidings. You do not have that. It sound like you want to run trains with you grandson and a double track will let you both run a train independently. Plus a race track gives action, as you said you wanted!
I think you should look at MRs Salt Lake Route project. It is modern era and also uses Kato Unitrak. Put a yard in the middle like on the Virginian project layout to conserve space. I would recommend 15“ radius curves on the main. Modern equipment is long and won’t like smaller stuff. I have 15“ minimum radius (N scale of cours) and my U28C still looks stupid on those curves. And modern stuff is even longer! Also keep the yard lead a radius big stuff can handle so it can come in to get trains. Don’t forget a yard lead, you don’t want to have to block the main to do switching!
Hope it’s helpful, and remember in the end it!s you railroad!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
3x6 in N is bigger than a 4x8 in HO, so not tooo bad. That's what I had for my last N scale layout. The main was a twice around with crossing, not by having one track go over the other, which would do a better job of replicating hilly country, and with a 3x6 it wouldn;t have to be too steep of a grade, either. Nor anything smaller than 11" radius. Mine was flat, except for a large mountain at one end, and a rather steep mine branch up to a coal mine. In the middle I had some industries to switch.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Holy mackerel. 15' min radius
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Sounds like the guy who posts on the Layout Construction group on groups.io, who seems to buy the only N scale models that need insanely large radius curves to run at all. Like 45" radius +, in N scale! I'd be hard pressed to find an HO loco that wouldn"t take a 45" radius.
riogrande5761 Holy mackerel. 15' min radius
What, you don’t have really long U28Cs that can’t handle anything under 15 foot minimum radius in N scale! I though everyone had that problem!
Just kidding, I have fixed the typo in my original post! I think the prototype doesn’t even have a 2400’ radius curve!
HI EF,
Check your messages box and reply if you feel it might help.
I did see a layout based exactly on the Gorre and Daphetid in N scale at an exhibition here in Australia and it worked well... It depends on what you feel comfortable doing! I think I have photos somewhere if you would like to see those as well,
Regards from Australia
Trevor