Hello everyone!
I have a few questions and feedback for my layout. If this is the wrong place, I am sorry.
I used to have a simple oval N-Scale layout in the apartment (the 90s), but Granny-zilla kept knocking the trains of the tracks, etc. :)
Due to some unforseen issues -- In and around 2009, I had 2 major strokes and 3 minor ones, which left me with issues, etc. and had to move in with my parents. Recently, I have been cleaning the storage space, because there is no need to keep it. In doing so, I found some of my trains. My brother had them as well and he will make available to me.
I have an idea of layout designs, but I wanted some feedback and also some questions regarding it.
I would like to use the empty bedroom to build a 3 level layout, with the lowest level a like yard, etc. The middle level will be mainly industry and the top layer mainly passenger -- modeled after passenger service in Florida. My idea was to cut a hole in the wall and also "carry out" the passenger service in a small shelf layout (correct terminology?) to the living room. Just 1 mainline track with a station, it will be like "Orlando". Both frieght and passenger, mainly passenger.
Do I do a ladder to the station, or could I technically have the mainline track stop at the station?
I tried to draw a quick design and hopefully it will make everyone understand better.
<I don't know how to attach an image...> :(
1) haha, how do you actually attach an image?
2) The quick design, can it be done like this, or do I do another way?
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\_____________________________
\_____________________________ (these reconnect with main, but I guess since they are "going home", they could just reverse direction)
3) What should my building materials be for these going into the wall? Plywood or something else?
4) Because of the strokes, my dexterity used to be very good, but not so good anymore. I have lost all strength, etc. So I have to take my time / have the worker in mom's community help me.
5) I would start out small and see if I have the patience to continue. One of the after affects, if I lost my patience, lol. and my mind wanders. And then I will then decide if I will build more.
6) The layout in the spare bedroom will go around the room as well. What would be a good method to travel between the levels of the layout? Any thoughts?
Thank you for your time and help
Mike
Mike,
That is a lot of information to absorb! One thing that jumps out is your comment about a "loss of dexterity". As a 63 year old with a bad back who works in N scale also, I have had to make a lot of compromises in my construction plans and it still takes longer than I think to do anything!
You might want to think about moving to a larger scale or scale down your design so it fits your situation? What ever you do though, don't give up because its a great hobby!
There are some real track plan experts on this forum and if you can get your track plan posted they will be able to offer some great insight.
At any rate I will give your post some more thought and get back to you.
Tim
Hi,
I've been with HO most of my MR "career" but did a stint with N in the mid 1980s. I was in my early 40s at the time, a pretty good modeler with some decent basic layout building skillsets.
I got that layout to the scenery stage and realized N was too small for me. While I liked the fact that you could get twice the stuff in a given space (as opposed to HO), it was just too small for me to properly work with, and of course subsequently enjoy. Believe me, I admire those guys that do wonders with N stuff, but I can not.
Given your "restrictions", I would urge you to go to HO or On30 or the like.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Thank you. I was thinking of that as well. But, I already have an N set and my brother is bringing his as well. So, since the incident with money being "tight", every little bit helps and I will stay with it in the start. Lay the track and then see what I can do. Sad because before the strokes, I could read the "Made in China" on the eyechart, but now I can't see the E at the top...lol :)
If I was to go to HO, would my idea still work and building restrictions? If I decide it is too hard / too much, I will make it portable, take out and use on my bed when I get "bored".
Although I am a partisan of N scale you should consider the recomendation to go with a larger scale in your case unless you are reasonably sure your dexterity is still good enough to handle N and will not deteriorate further.
I also recommend only one level although doing so will limit what you can build: because of your health and because multilevels are difficult to fit in a typical bedroom while keeping grades reasonable.. What are the dimisions of the room?
Consider access to the layout. Walk-in or high enough to duck under easily Probably narrow shelf at close to eye level for duck under would work. Another possibility is high enough for roll-under (seated in desk chair or in my case a wheelchair).
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
My dexterity should still be "good enough" to get the trains on the tracks (with a rerailer.) I know I am limited, I was basing it more on building the benchwork needed, is where the dexterity is gone. I found the floor plan for the rooms. The Bedroom used would be 15 ft x 13 ft. The layout -- even multilevel would all be kept small, look around and roll under. It would be designed more like a computer desk rather than some of the layouts I have seen online. Yes, narrow shelf, close to eye level. I would sit to look at the level I will use mainly and stand if I have to. My idea, again, just for "cool factor" is wire the passenger trains with USB Cameras to look at their journey through the system that way. Any switching and such I would look at eye level, not camera.
But those will become secondary. Right now I would like to start small to judge the difficulty level it wil be for me now. So just like do the narrow shelf layout just to see what I can do / and can be done. Sigh, I wish I could get the image to work. It would make things so much easier. Not wrapping up my thoughts, was one of the bad things because of the strokes. I can't wrap up ideas without talking to someone to help me. I have seen several layouts which I liked and that is where I got the 3 levels, over to living room idea. I tried using some type of Cad rail draw program to get my idea on paper, but I just can't get it done easily. And funny, I was a computer person in my "old life", I would do what needed to be done. Even now, one long mainline (The living room / dining room I have about 20 feet to play with.) And since I will not put up any scenery for now, just the track and the train platform at the end. Like a modular thing. I just want to get some trains running! I miss them...haha. And knowing me, the way I am now, they will be just a memory soon. Which is also why I do not want to go out and buy new things. My attention span is not long anymore. Especially if it takes awhile for the initial results to develop.
I will have to join one of those online image places so I can show them here, I guess. Thank you, everyone for your help and feedback! The area where I live is basically dead. Not even hobby shops in the immediate area. Where I used to live, there were 3 on one street in one place.
Actos 6) The layout in the spare bedroom will go around the room as well. What would be a good method to travel between the levels of the layout? Any thoughts?
First, with an adequate mainline run, you may be able to use a "Nolix" without using a "Helix." That said as a starter, a couple of multi-level books would be in order, simply to understand what is necessary to travel between layout levels, within the space you have available. This way, you can turn "what if/maybe" into layout design reality.
Note: How staging and/or hidden staging is integral with multi-level layout design. There are many approaches (and sizes) to helix design. Do take your good 'ole time in dreaming "the dream" -- While starting out small, but; still later able to incorporate your Step 1 Layout into an expanded Step 2 Layout.
One more thought: Think of a spare room layout as a "glorified shelf layout" with industries, yards, and towns, along the right-of-way.
...would be a way to introduce yourself to these (shelf-type) layout vignettes. Multi-level layouts are a good way to expand the scope of the layout.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Thank you, this is what I was looking for, feedback and places to look. I would love the spare-room to be a full location of a layout, but You described what I was thinking. They don't take up the room (still furniture, etc there), but open as additions to the room.
I finally, I think, got pics to load. My OneDrive is all messed up, wasn't syncing even though it showed as doing so...
Here is a pic of the various station layouts I was "thinking of"....