Help me plan me and my buddies N Scale layouts!

[CanadianShield]

Hello!

I have just finished all the benchwork for my new layout. I already have a 100% complete 1.5 x 4 foot layout in N. For my new layout my benchwork is complete. My buddy who helped me build the super-strong benchwork for this new pikevrecently switched to N scale, cause his 3x6 table top with one loop and two sidings wasnt making him happy. Neither his 3 x6 or my new 8 x 10 foot layouts with his benchwork design move what-so-ever. The tops consist of 1/4 inch mdf with 1 inch pink foam on top. no track kis laid on either layout yet, and I thought I'd try and get as many ideas of what the two layouts could all include with your ideas on track plans, etc.

Harley's wishlist: (a 3x6 foot rectangle)
-a small yard
-two station points or towns for a destination "feel"
-a mountain
-a lake and a sawmill scene

Tyler's Wishlist: (see attatched plan for benchwork)
-One big city with main yard, and a roundhouse scene
-a mine
-another yard either visual or hidden in a mountain for staging purposes
-11" curves minimum
-One or two other towns with stations

heres my plan

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d28/CanadianShield/tyler.jpg

Thank you for your interest and we both look forward to your ideas!

Canadian Shield

[dickencr]

I take it that the grid is 12" x 12". Is this an inclosed room or are there open areas on any of the sides. You have a very long reach in the one corner if this is an inclosed room.

I would suggest that you investigate many of the site on the internet and find some attributes of the various layouts that interest you and your friend. Any one on this forum can recommend infinite variations, but you are the one that needs to be happy with the designs.

Next I would investigate some of the layout design software. This will help you avoid many of the errors that you can make with a pencile and paper. Not that the pencil and paper is obsolete, but it's often tempting to squeez in some very tight truns to fit in that most important industry, or...

Sorry that this is not more help. I know that there are several companies that create custome designs. I have no idea about the costs, but they are out there. Personally I find the design process to be a big part of the fun and challenge in model railroading. I created about 50 of them before I settled on a series that fits my needs and space constraints.

Cheers...

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dickencr

I take it that the grid is 12" x 12". Is this an inclosed room or are there open areas on any of the sides. You have a very long reach in the one corner if this is an inclosed room.

[#ditto] Without knowing whether the outside of the area is open or enclosed not much planning can begin. I can say that even in N-scale a big city "main yard" is going to be hard to do.

[CanadianShield]

for Tyler's layout the room is a 12 x 12 footer so its a walk in NO DUCKUNDER plan. The area not shown is my workshop etc. The Grid is my assembled benchwork that is already set up, it is blank and bare right now. I just wanted some ideas to get started. Me and Harley talk everyday about plans and want an outside opinion.

Canadian Shield

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CanadianShield
Harley's wishlist: (a 3x6 foot rectangle)
-a small yard
-two station points or towns for a destination "feel"
-a mountain
-a lake and a sawmill scene

Mountains and yards don't mix. Especially with only 3x6 to work with.

But how about something like this. There are three towns so lots of places to go to and from. The river runs through the sort of bank area from center left to lower right, so the mill pond/flumes/sawmill operation could be placed on either end of the lower left town. Or you could move the "upper level town" further toward the front and have the river pass under the same bridge that goes over the wye tracks. Then you could put the sawmill operation in either of the "lower level" towns.

click to enlarge.

Ideally the sawmill operation could be in the center of the right hand loop, but the only way to get to it would be under the bridge using much tigher radius or building a crossing through a curved track (yuk on several counts).

If you went this way the sidings could be shifted around and of course you would want to do something to get away from the straight track along the straight edges of the layout.

[CanadianShield]

Do you have a list of the pieces required for this plan?

Example:
31 11" curves
21 straights

Harley has decided hes gonna go for it! He loves the plan

[CanadianShield]

Ok Folks!

I'll make this easy for ya. I am looking for a good trackplan in a 5x2.5 foot table.
It needs to have tracks for a mine and one station. Continous running is preferred as well.

Canadian Shield

[SpaceMouse]

You mean you are making this easy fo you. You want us to design a plan so you don't have to. The problem is that apporach usually backfires. What you get is a plan that makes someone else happy. You get a plan that fits, if you are lucky, something that interests you today, but does not allow for your growth in the hobby. So you tear it down and try to ge someone else to show you something better.

To get a plan that makes you happy you need to do your own homework. You have to know what you want and where you are going in the hobby. Byron Henderson asks these questions of his potential clients. He's a professional layout designer. These help you to know what it is you are looking for.

http://home.earthlink.net/~mrsvc/id13.html

Then get one of the free design programs and draw something up. You should know exacly what every piece of track is for. Then post it here and we can help you find your perfect layout.

You can try to get someone else to do it for you, but it will never be what you really want.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CanadianShield

Do you have a list of the pieces required for this plan?

Actually yes I do. The Right Track Software keeps inventory.... Unfortunately this form won't hold the extra spaces or tabs to make it look nice.

And while I am flattered, I never intended this to be a "final" plan, just an idea. It is often easier to 'show' something rather than explaining it with words. I didn't really put that much thought into it. It is an the concept I used (in HO scale) for my children several years ago. And as I said, he would probably want to add some flex track to get away from the boring straight track along the straight edges of the board. Then change or add the appropriate sidings for where he decides the saw mill should be.

• Count Article no. Description


• 1 000 Flex track


• 10 At-2509a 2½" Straight


• 4 At-2509b 1¼" Straight


• 2 At-2509c 5/8" Straight


• 13 At-2510 Full Section 9¾" Radius


• 1 At-2511 Half Section 9¾" Radius


• 33 At-2513 5" Straight


• 16 At-2515 Full Section 11" Radius


• 8 At-2516 Full Section 19" Radius


• 1 At-2521 Half Section 11" Radius


• 5 At-2536 Bumper


• 2 At-2546 Warren Truss Bridge


• 1 At-2566 30° Crossing


• 7 At-2701 or At-2703 Standard Turnout Right


• 7 At-2700 Standard Turnout Left

You know, if Harley can use the RTS software I can send a copy of the *.ral file.

[CanadianShield]

Harley is getting an account soon, but he has RTS. Tomorrow night (thursday) is our hobby night cause our local shop is open till 9. We are planning to go there get some more track (we both are planning you see) and we are going to go over your design and see what if anything he wants to change or slightly alter. He almost went with this plan:

http://www.thortrains.net/npoor7.html

But we will keep you updated!

[Tom Bryant_MR]

Since you have a space, or rather benchwork designed, you can get XtrkCad track layout software for free at http://www.sillub.com/. Be sure to look down the page for the free registration process. Either RTS or this will work.

You might also look at http://ldsig.org/ for some basics on layout design.

Good luck!

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CanadianShield
Harley .... He almost went with this plan:
http://www.thortrains.net/npoor7.html

Hmm, that is interesting in it's own way. I feel it has several problems. The center loop around the lake is a bit too obvious (looks like a toy train loop). To work the upper yard one would have to block the main track. And probably worst - there are no industries at all. With a few adjustments I think the upper yard could be eliminated or made into an industrial area. Remove the center connection from the main loop to the lower yard. The trains would leave the lower yard via the long track to the left, go around as many times as desired, reverse though the loop, and then return to the lower yard. This is called an out and back arrangement. My son's layout is an out and back type. One person can work the yard while another takes the trains out.

[CanadianShield]

What does everyone else think of TexasZepher's plan?

We're curious!

[Anonymous]

would it be possible to get the file for that layout Texas Zepher

[steffd]

If your heading out to the hobby shop tomorrow, perhaps your best bet would be for you guys to split the cost on one or two decent track planning books to get some ideas before rushing in. Both Kalmbach and Atlas offer a wide variety of planning books to suit your needs. Kalmbach has several useful books for various tack plan styles and spaces. Here is a link to the Kalmbach track planning Books, just go to Model Railroading and then Books: http://store.yahoo.com/kalmbachcatalog/ . Atlas also has some track planning books for use with their sectional track, here is the link to their site: https://secure.atlasrr.com/mod1/items.asp?CartId= . I would highly recommend you take the time to plan your layout carefully or you may end up with a plan that will frustrate you and ultimately end up wasting time and money [banghead]. Using a good track planning book will give you some good ideas to either help you plan your own design where you can combine the features you like from several different published plans or straight out copy one right from the book. At least it will provide you with the various steps and required materials to get you guys started in the right direction. Good Luck on your project and most of all, Have Fun.[:)]

Stephan

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fearincognito
would it be possible to get the file for that layout Texas Zepher

Well I sent e-mail, but haven't gotten a reply with someplace to send it to.