This is a reply to a past post on portable N scale layouts. I built my portable layout over 5 years ago. I used 2 inch foam with 1 inch by 1/2 inch framing and attached luan for the backdrop. The layout has been to more than 50 train shows over the past years. I did not bother to use legs for the layout but use tables that are furnished at the shows. Dimensions of the layout is 5 1/2 feet long and 28 to 36 inches wide. There is two modules and one stacks on top of the other one. Since I used foam the units are very light. I also used dowel rods to connect them together, the modules have proven to be of low maintenance. The layout is fun to operate - plenty of switching or just run trains in a circle pattern. It has two home made hand held throttles with DC.
All of the buildings are glued down. It takes an hour to hour and half to set up, most of that time is spent on rolling stock.
I have been in the hobby for many years but this is one of the biggest enjoyments that I really enjoy, is showing this layout at all of the local train shows. Good Luck.
Well done! Glad you are haing fun. Portable layouts need to be both strong an light. Looks like you succeeded.. Buitful scenry.
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.
Whow, beautiful layout! You set the bar very high.
Welcome to the forums, you are obviously not new to modeling.
Though I have not planned such an extensive layout, it has given me some further ideas. You have certainly given me hope that a small portable layout can be successful. Do you have any hidden staging behind your backdrop?
What type vehicle do you carry your sections in? How many of you travel with the layout to set up and operate?
Thank you for sharing.
Richard
Richard, thanks I'm glad you liked the layout.
When I built the first layout it was to show folks that you did not need a large layout to operate or run trains. Over the years N scale quality has improved along with performance. At the shows people often have several questions on how it was built and where did I get the track diagram. To help answer some of those questions I post the answers on the front of the layout. The track diagram is of my own design.
Friends of mine talked me into adding another module to the original one and with a little luck I was able to do. There is no staging on this layout, I use the two yards for that, but it would be easy to do by adding it behind the backdrop. Of course you would have to make it wider to support the track on the backside.
The layout length is determined by our SUV (Suzki XL7). My self a passenger and the layout is the only room that is left. This layout can be operated by two people but if you use DCC you could possibly have three or four.
I have attached the answer sheet that is posted to the layout -- hope this helps and good luck.
John
Normal 0
Dimensions first module 5 feet 6 inches by 26 inches Second
module is 5 feet 6 inches by 3 feet total layout is 11 feet long
Layout is foam pink insulation board 2 inches thick
Layout is very light which makes it portable
Framed with ½ x 1 inch pine – used liquid nails
Backdrop is luan with hand painted forest
Atlas flex track
Atlas switches over 30 operated manually
Atlas Signal detection with scratch built LED signals
Operation DC – Block controlled
Throttles – two hand held allowing two operators cab A and B
Layout was built for operation – main line and branch line
Small three track yard
Small three track coalmine yard in Sandy Ridge
Six industries to service
Five coalmines
PVC pipe and copper tubing for silos and fuel tanks
Sound MRC with speakers mounted under the layout
Trees are weeds (golden rod) painted with cheap spray paint
River is polyurethane – with painted plaster bottom – rocks is kitty litter
All buildings are scratch built
Tunnel entrances is the bottom of Produce foam tray painted and scored
Cliffs is 1 ½ inch foam pink insulation covered with plaster, applied with a stiff brush and black dye
Roads is plaster with black dye for color
Woodland scenes ballast, grass, and bushes and Elmer’s white glue
Roughly six weeks to build each module