N Scale Layout in a Pre Built Building

[Trainzman2435]

Hello everyone and thanks for allowing me to join. I have been into model railroading for about 30 years now but have never had what you might call a "real layout", Just dioramas and projects that never got finished due mainly to having the room to dedicate to jsut a layout. Anyways, where i live there is no zoning regulations and i pretty much live out in the country here in West Virginia. I have been pondering the idea of buying a pre built Amish out building of around 12x24 or so. I plan on insulating it as well as putting it on a good concrete foundation and adding lighting and electric as well as heat. My biggest concern is having enough room. I know you cant really ever have enough room for modeling but i plan of modelling in N scale and making it basically an around the room walk in with possibly more than 1 level. My question is this, has anyone ever heard of building a layout in this type of pre made building? Would a 12x24 building be ample to have a decent layout in N scale? Does anyone know of any nice layout track designs in roughly the size i am planning on building? I am and have never been any good at track planning but i do know what type of operations i want to model as well as the era i want to model. Thanks for any suggestions and help!

[riogrande5761]

I don't see why you couldn't build a good sized N scale layout in a 12x24 building.  You can build a decent HO layout in that space for that matter, double so N scale.

Of course designing a track plan depends on (as John Armstong use to put it), your "givens and druthers).  But you should be able to have generous curves and plenty of operation in that space and if designed right, no duckuners or liftout bridges.

[SPSOT fan]

I think the space you have described will be plenty of room for a good sized N scale layout! It should keep you occupied for some time!

Also a big to the MR forums! Keep in mind your first few posts will have a delay as they are moderated! Hope you stick around!

[York1]

Welcome to the forum!

The space you are planning would be great for an N Scale layout.  I have N Scale in a bedroom quite a bit smaller than that.

If you have any questions, there are quite a few experts on this forum to help with track plans, wiring, electronics, scenery, and just about anything else you need.

Good to have you here.

[cuyama]

Here's an example of an N scale multi-deck layout in about 200 square feet. The helix radii are tighter than I would typically recommend, but met the client’s requirements. So they could be a little broader and still fit in the room.

If you’ve never built a full layout of any size before, a multi-deck design will be a major undertaking. A smaller trial layout to help gain skill and refine your interests might be a good investment of time and money before beginning on the room-filling design. Good luck with your layout.

Byron

[Trainzman2435]

Thanks to all of you for the help and information...I look forward to learning a ton from the site....:)

[Trainzman2435]

Well, its official.....I placed the order for my new 12x20 building. I ordered it with the 7' extra tall walls so that i would have maximum wall height due to me wanting to do a double layer shelf style layout. I was contemplating switching back to HO scale due mainly to my eye sight but i think i will just get better glasses and continue with N scale. Now, if any of you could recommend a layout designer i would appreciate it very much as i am and never have been any kind of layout designer lol. I know what my givens and druthers are as well as what era and locale i want to model, i just have no idea how to design it so i am willing to pay someone to assist in the design of it. Many thanks and if any of you want to make a little cash helping me design a layout please let me know!.......:)

[ruderunner]

Id reccomend at least trying to design your own layout first. You'll find plenty of free help here. 

 

Care to share your list of givens and druthers?

Have you read a copy of "Track planning for operation "?

[SeeYou190]

Trainzman2435

My question is this, has anyone ever heard of building a layout in this type of pre made building? Would a 12x24 building be ample to have a decent layout in N scale?

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Yes and yes. 

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Here in Florida, the land of no basements or attics, there are lots of layout built in free standing "sheds" of all types. It is often the only way to get room for the layout.

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12 by 24 is plenty big for an N scale layout. My next HO layout will only be 11 by 22, so you are about the same in a smaller scale.

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-Kevin

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[Trainzman2435]

ruderunner

Id reccomend at least trying to design your own layout first. You'll find plenty of free help here. 

 

Care to share your list of givens and druthers?

Have you read a copy of "Track planning for operation "?

 

 

Well, lets see where to start lol....I have never been any good at this technical stuff but i will give it a go. I know what i want in a model railroad but putting it down on paper seems like im beating my head against the wall. Anyways, i want to model the 1980's to 1990's Applachia. Not just coal trains but everything i have seen around here in WV, KY and Ohio over the last 50 years. I like the older 6 axel locomotives as well as the 4 axel GEEPS. I would like to have a bramch line as well as a double track main to run unit trains. I want to do a 2 layer shelf style layout and i want lots of mountains like here on the east coast applachia. One main scene i want on the front portion of my layout is a long winding "S" curve that meanders between 2 mountains, one that you can look down and see a large portion of the train snaking around a big S.....There is a section here close to me in Ohio on RT.52 around the Ashland KY bridge on the NS line that looks like this and i find myself mezmerized by it everytime i happen to go by it. I am not opposed to a helix but rather avoid if i could get by with a hidden incline. As for indusatry, i want an old coal mine, scrap yard, chemical plant and a cement facility to begin with. I know a lot of this dont make sense but im trying. I plan of having several bridges crossing a big river on the layout as well as mountain tunnels. I am honestly considering just going back to HO scale instead of investing in N scale freight cars and locos. As i said, my building will be 12x20 and dedicated soley to my railroad.

[York1]

Trainzman2435

Trainzman2435 wrote the following post 24 minutes ago:

Trainzman2435

I know what i want in a model railroad but putting it down on paper seems like im beating my head against the wall.

 

I didn't start my first layout until last year -- I was 67.

I can only tell you what I did, and I know others here would do things differently.

I tried to design a layout on paper.  I looked at and studied sample layouts.

After studying far too much, and taking far too much time, I finally decided to just take the plunge and start.

I built a table that fit my area.  Then I bought some Atlas flex track, and began laying it out.  I tried different turns and straight lines, etc.  When I hit something I liked, I used a marker to draw on the table the track lines.  I hit things I didn't like, changed things, etc.

I even decided after I had everything laid out that the table wasn't right, and I added on another whole section of table.

Finally, I got what I wanted, laid the track, wired it, and ran a train.  It was exciting!  But it also showed me some things I didn't like, so I changed them.

My long explanation, I think, is that you just start and try some things.  If you don't like them, change them.

I feel planning is important, but too much planning can be a hindrance.

[SeeYou190]

York1

I feel planning is important, but too much planning can be a hindrance.

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This is absolutely true. Doing is better than planning. You can always take the saws-all to the mistakes and remove them, but the lessons and experience are permanent.

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You will learn more building a 2 foot by six foot practice oval layout than my reading every model railroad book ever written.

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-Kevin

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