Dave Vollmer wrote: Check this out...A very, very nice little N scale door layout using Unitrack. The Unitrack is painted and ballasted, and looks way better than my own flextrack!http://www.railimages.com/gallery/richardmanskerBoy, I'm wishin' I'd used Unitrack. Next time!!!
Check this out...
A very, very nice little N scale door layout using Unitrack. The Unitrack is painted and ballasted, and looks way better than my own flextrack!
http://www.railimages.com/gallery/richardmansker
Boy, I'm wishin' I'd used Unitrack. Next time!!!
It's a real nice layout, but I don't see how using Unitrack and his ballasting methods is really saving all that much work. The only step saved is laying the roadbed and track.
I'm not saying Unitrack isn't a great product, but I think that flextrack gives much more flexibility (no pun intended) for layout plans and makes it easier to paint rails and ties before the track is put down.
I didn't paint rails or track on my current layout, so any sort of work I've attempted is in my opinion harder to do now that the track is down and ballasted. This will be a lesson I plan on applying to future layouts - paint the track and ties before putting on the layout.
MAbruce wrote: Dave Vollmer wrote: Check this out...A very, very nice little N scale door layout using Unitrack. The Unitrack is painted and ballasted, and looks way better than my own flextrack!http://www.railimages.com/gallery/richardmanskerBoy, I'm wishin' I'd used Unitrack. Next time!!!It's a real nice layout, but I don't see how using Unitrack and his ballasting methods is really saving all that much work. The only step saved is laying the roadbed and track.I'm not saying Unitrack isn't a great product, but I think that flextrack gives much more flexibility (no pun intended) for layout plans and makes it easier to paint rails and ties before the track is put down.I didn't paint rails or track on my current layout, so any sort of work I've attempted is in my opinion harder to do now that the track is down and ballasted. This will be a lesson I plan on applying to future layouts - paint the track and ties before putting on the layout.
Well, I wasn't really thinking Unitrack from a time conservation standpoint. I'm thinking reliability, connectivity, etc. Plus, the built-in switch machines... If you think about it, buy a Peco turnout and a Tortoise machine, and you caould just have bought a Kato turnout. There's where your time savings also probably comes in.
I initially shyed away from Unitrack for two reasons: 1. Less realism (which the above link de-bunks nicely!) and 2. Rigid geometry. The latter is still an issue, but Kato makes enough short segments of broad curves you can kind of cheat on spiral easements and make thinks look less rigid.
Hey, to each his own... But then, I'm going to have to dig out a Peco turnout that I idiotically soldered in place and then accidentally popped the spring out of... Were it Unitrack that went bad (unlikely) I wouldn't have such a daunting task ahead.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Dave Vollmer wrote: MAbruce wrote: Dave Vollmer wrote: Check this out...A very, very nice little N scale door layout using Unitrack. The Unitrack is painted and ballasted, and looks way better than my own flextrack!http://www.railimages.com/gallery/richardmanskerBoy, I'm wishin' I'd used Unitrack. Next time!!!It's a real nice layout, but I don't see how using Unitrack and his ballasting methods is really saving all that much work. The only step saved is laying the roadbed and track.I'm not saying Unitrack isn't a great product, but I think that flextrack gives much more flexibility (no pun intended) for layout plans and makes it easier to paint rails and ties before the track is put down.I didn't paint rails or track on my current layout, so any sort of work I've attempted is in my opinion harder to do now that the track is down and ballasted. This will be a lesson I plan on applying to future layouts - paint the track and ties before putting on the layout.Well, I wasn't really thinking Unitrack from a time conservation standpoint. I'm thinking reliability, connectivity, etc. Plus, the built-in switch machines... If you think about it, buy a Peco turnout and a Tortoise machine, and you caould just have bought a Kato turnout. There's where your time savings also probably comes in.I initially shyed away from Unitrack for two reasons: 1. Less realism (which the above link de-bunks nicely!) and 2. Rigid geometry. The latter is still an issue, but Kato makes enough short segments of broad curves you can kind of cheat on spiral easements and make thinks look less rigid.Hey, to each his own... But then, I'm going to have to dig out a Peco turnout that I idiotically soldered in place and then accidentally popped the spring out of... Were it Unitrack that went bad (unlikely) I wouldn't have such a daunting task ahead.
dekruif wrote:Same reasons why I didn't choose Kato unitrack or anything like it. Plus ballasting is kindove fun. -dekruif
Are you CRAZY?? Nah, I actually like it too...
Dave - The layout you highlighted is ballasted like mine (even using the same mix of ballast colors - scary). It came out nice, but I'd like to try something else in the future. This is a link to a tutorial that someone with far superior modeling skills than me put together on N-scale track work that I would love to someday emulate:
http://www.conrail1285.com/news.asp?storyid=29
MAbruce wrote: dekruif wrote:Same reasons why I didn't choose Kato unitrack or anything like it. Plus ballasting is kindove fun. -dekruifAre you CRAZY?? Nah, I actually like it too...
SICKO's!
It's been a while since I've visited these forums & this "N" crowd thread seems to be new. I'll post some pics from my " Allegheny & Cumberland " in construction. It's a free lanced point to point version of Conrail & CSX in the early '90's from M&K Junction to Sand Patch. It's a double to single track main line featuring steep grades & helper service. My point of interest is helper service & the coal mine yard at Coal Fork Junction.
Sand Patch -
Coal Fork Junction mine -
Viaduct -
Don't forget the helpers -
Helpers returning to M&K Jct. -
M&K helper service -
All this fits in a 8' x 11' room that wraps itself along the walls... 3 levels up.
Hi everyone,
I just thought that I'd introduce myself. I'm Rob Newman and am 45. I started in model railroading when I was 11. That's when my older brother made a 4x8 layout for me for Christmas. I've been model railroading on and off since then. All my past layout have been in HO. I finally put everything away abouth 13 years ago when we had our first child. We needed the layout room for him. About 2 years ago I requisitioned a small space for a folding table and decided to go N scale. I bought a Kato set and ran trains for a while without structures or scenery. Plans changed and the table space went away. Bummer. Well here I am a couple of years latter and have gained some space. We recently remodeled and in the process removed a wood burning stove that was in a bay are in our family room. The garage has been converted to a new family room and I now get the area where the stove sat. I'll post pictures later. I've been messing around with different ideas. One thing about Kato track is that you can build and rebuild until you find just what you want. Sure it costs money to buy the track but I'll use it. Anyway, I decided to use the design that David Popp did in Phase I of the Naugatuck Valley RR in MR. I had to mirror image the plan for my space and am using the Kato track so it is a little different. Also some of the structures will be different since I am modeling the Pacific Northwest. I am using GN and NP equipment and calling the RR the Great Northern Pacific. I will be modeling lumber, gravel and coal on the layout. I really like the fall colors that David used so will be sticking with that but there will be many more evergreens. I'm going to take some construction pictures and will be uploading them to a Blog or somthing and include links here as I proceed.
Problems so far have been Atlas couplers not working well on the Kato uncouplers so I am switching to Microtrains on everything. Also, I bought a Life-Like SW9 that derails on some of the turnouts. Maybe it's a guage thing with the wheels but I'm not sure yet. It just walks over the points when turning. So far I have 3 locomotives and a couple of dozen pieces of rolling stock.
I read through all the posts here on "The 'N' Crowd" so far and really think it's a great place. I'll keep everyone posted as I "chug" along. :-)
Rob
Ok guys Quick Question.
I have sevral Atlas code 80 turnouts Custom line standard switchs as well as 2 # 6's. Are the Peco turnouts really any better? I mean they are about 10 bucks more per turn out I am just curious the +'s and -'s of them or your experiance with the atlas custom line switches. Let me know,
Curt
Welcome aboard Rob, glad to have you. Sounds like your on the right track with planning. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Peter
GNP007 wrote:Hi everyone,I just thought that I'd introduce myself. I'm Rob Newman and am 45. I started in model railroading when I was 11. That's when my older brother made a 4x8 layout for me for Christmas. I've been model railroading on and off since then. All my past layout have been in HO. I finally put everything away abouth 13 years ago when we had our first child. We needed the layout room for him. About 2 years ago I requisitioned a small space for a folding table and decided to go N scale. I bought a Kato set and ran trains for a while without structures or scenery. Plans changed and the table space went away. Bummer. Well here I am a couple of years latter and have gained some space. We recently remodeled and in the process removed a wood burning stove that was in a bay are in our family room. The garage has been converted to a new family room and I now get the area where the stove sat. I'll post pictures later. I've been messing around with different ideas. One thing about Kato track is that you can build and rebuild until you find just what you want. Sure it costs money to buy the track but I'll use it. Anyway, I decided to use the design that David Popp did in Phase I of the Naugatuck Valley RR in MR. I had to mirror image the plan for my space and am using the Kato track so it is a little different. Also some of the structures will be different since I am modeling the Pacific Northwest. I am using GN and NP equipment and calling the RR the Great Northern Pacific. I will be modeling lumber, gravel and coal on the layout. I really like the fall colors that David used so will be sticking with that but there will be many more evergreens. I'm going to take some construction pictures and will be uploading them to a Blog or somthing and include links here as I proceed.Problems so far have been Atlas couplers not working well on the Kato uncouplers so I am switching to Microtrains on everything. Also, I bought a Life-Like SW9 that derails on some of the turnouts. Maybe it's a guage thing with the wheels but I'm not sure yet. It just walks over the points when turning. So far I have 3 locomotives and a couple of dozen pieces of rolling stock.I read through all the posts here on "The 'N' Crowd" so far and really think it's a great place. I'll keep everyone posted as I "chug" along. :-)Rob
curtw_944 wrote: Ok guys Quick Question.I have sevral Atlas code 80 turnouts Custom line standard switchs as well as 2 # 6's. Are the Peco turnouts really any better? I mean they are about 10 bucks more per turn out I am just curious the +'s and -'s of them or your experiance with the atlas custom line switches. Let me know,Curt
Everything Atlas makes is good except, in my opinion, its turnouts. I've found in HO and N that the turnouts tend to develop electrical dead spots. Plus, Peco has an internal spring that makes a manual switch machine unnecessary. Peco turnouts are power-routing. I prefer Peco over Atlas.
birdogman wrote: It's been a while since I've visited these forums & this "N" crowd thread seems to be new. I'll post some pics from my " Allegheny & Cumberland " in construction. It's a free lanced point to point version of Conrail & CSX in the early '90's from M&K Junction to Sand Patch. It's a double to single track main line featuring steep grades & helper service. My point of interest is helper service & the coal mine yard at Coal Fork Junction.
VERY Nice!
Hey birdogman,
What deck seperation did you go with for your triple decker? I'm currently building a double decker with staging under that, so I'm curious about your choices and how its worked out.
The sort answer is YES! Peco turnouts are much more reliable in N scale. I used Atlas on my first layout and had constant derailment problems in the points. I was always working on them. With the Pecos on my present layout I have none of these problems. I tune them well when I install them and then I rarely have to give them a second thought. They look much better than the Atlas switches too. Well worth the extra $ if you ask me--and I am a low-budget, penny-pinching modler.
Ron
Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado.
Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy
Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings
Thanks Guys,
I think I am going to seriously look at peco's now. I liked the cost savings of the atlas switches but I think the change may be worth it. Plus If I remember correctly pecos have some curved turnouts which will help me greatly in the small space I have.
Greetings all - I've been out of the hobby for 25 years and thinking of returning. I've only modeled in HO, but as I'm short on space, all of my engines and rolling stock are 25-40 years old and have been boxed (don't even know if they still work) and I'd want to use DCC, I'm thinking of changing over to the "other" scale. You know, the smaller one, the one that's about half HO, the one that takes up less space. Come on, don't make me say it.....................
N scale (aaaaaarrrghhhhhh. Why do we HO people have a hard time with this?)
Here's my question: I want to model West Virginia coal locations (likely Grafton - Fairmont - Morgantown. My grandfather worked Kopper's, Eastern and Winchester mines and worked up to being in charge of the switching at the mines and both g-parents lived in this area) but I want to set it in an era at the end of steam, beginning of diesel, because I like steam engines. I've checked Atlas, Kato, Bachman, but there seem to be few N scale steam engines or rolling stock of this era. Am I missing something or does N generally concentrate on newer eras and ignore the past?
Also, thanks for all the pictures and layout ideas, they really help.
Spindoctor,
There are less steam engines in N then there are in HO, but that's to be expected since HO is a more popular scale and it has a head start of many years over N. But that doesn't mean that N is devoid of choices for steam. N scale diesels are easier to make into reliable engines, and the long modern trains play into the strengths of N. But in the last 10 years or so steam has come a long way. There are good running steam loco's from Atlas, Model Power, Lifelike/Walthers, Kato, MDC/Horizon, Bachmann, and others. True, they aren't as plentiful as diesels, but they are there, and there's more all the time being added. I'd look a bit deeper if I was you before I write it off as "not happening".
Spindoctor wrote:
"Here's my question: I want to model West Virginia coal locations (likely Grafton - Fairmont - Morgantown."
Highly recomended is the free-lanced layout classic "The V&O Story" by Allen McClelland. This book is about an ever-changing and long-standing HO Scale layout that models your exact locale with all of the rationale.
For example: You will see a staging center in the book called Afton, which was inspired by Grafton but without the "Gr" in the town name.
Here's a link to the Trains.com database for "The V&O Story" contents...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=4&YR=1984&output=5
Here's a link to Carsten's Publications Book Depot...
http://www.carstens-publications.com/depot.html
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Hi all, I layed about 22 feet of track today and also ran my first trains on my new Layout. Even though it was only back and forth, it showed me spots that need work. But I noticed that coming from the rear truck of my Atlas GP40 it makes a screeching sound from the rear truck only when its on the rails, I've lubed it since I bought it and its one of my most run units, but I have an Atlas B40-8 thats older than it and it doesn't make any noise. Any thoughts?
I think in the Spring I'd like to add a 2 or 3 track staging yard off the end of my layout. My operating sessions are pretty danged short and difficult without staging.
Anyhoo, I'm thinking I may give Kato Unitrack a shot for staging. Seems like a good way to get my feet wet with it.
Just thinking aloud...
Dave Vollmer wrote: I think in the Spring I'd like to add a 2 or 3 track staging yard off the end of my layout. My operating sessions are pretty danged short and difficult without staging.Anyhoo, I'm thinking I may give Kato Unitrack a shot for staging. Seems like a good way to get my feet wet with it.Just thinking aloud...
Question for N scale Unitrack users...
Are the Kato N scale #6 turnouts DCC-friendly. or do they require modification?
Dave Vollmer wrote: Dave Vollmer wrote: I think in the Spring I'd like to add a 2 or 3 track staging yard off the end of my layout. My operating sessions are pretty danged short and difficult without staging.Anyhoo, I'm thinking I may give Kato Unitrack a shot for staging. Seems like a good way to get my feet wet with it.Just thinking aloud...Question for N scale Unitrack users...Are the Kato N scale #6 turnouts DCC-friendly. or do they require modification?
Wish I could answer but I've never used DCC yet. You could call Kato. I've talked to their tech on the phone and he's a really nice guy.
Since some of "The 'N' Crowd" has invaded "The HO House", just thought I would stick my Half-Oversized head "N" here and say hey!
Hey!
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
Have the track Plan and I will get it up on sunday. I have to get some cd-rw's tonight and will get it up for review. It is fairly intresting and should have some intresting opperational oppertunitys. Any way I just wanted to up date you all.
SilverSpike wrote: Since some of "The 'N' Crowd" has invaded "The HO House", just thought I would stick my Half-Oversized head "N" here and say hey!Hey!
Hey, how'd he get in here? I think we need to change the locks on our door.
But really, all should be welcome. There are many aspects to modeling that apply to all scales.
Now we just have to have a little talk with our trouble makers. Maybe we should ground them without trains for a week?
HEY! Look what the cat dragged in!
Man, this place is going downhill fast! Look at the rif-raf they let in nowadays!
I think I am going to go with Peco for my new layout as well based on the various recos rom the gang. One other question: on their turnouts , short , medium and long: what does that exactly mean to me when constructing my layout? I am doing the Wisconsin & Southern layout in the room sized n layouts in the MRR PDF. Any help would be appreciated!!
John