Looking for N scale track plan

[SpaceMouse]

I just did a 3 x 7 layout for myself in the layout section. It looks like this:

It is half railfan half switching action. 15" curves minimum.

[R. T. POTEET]

   I am just considering building an N scale RR and was wondering where, if any, on line can I get some ideas for a track plan. I think I will start with a 3' X  7' board. Thanks     Mike

Boy, this ole' world is really getting turned upside down; several stalwart HO-Scalers asking exploratory questions about the merits of N-Scale!!! Things are looking up!!!

Mike;

I do not mean for my response to be cynical or derisive but define for me the term, "N-Scale track plan'.  I ask for this reason: when I bolted HO for N in the early '80s my first layout was based very closely on the HO Railroad That Grows.  Linn Westcott's original design was a 4X8 configuration; I left the width alone - although I could probably have (and subsequently came to wish that I had done so) extended it to 4½ feet.  My room allowed me an equvalent (HO) length of 17 feet, more than twice the original length although it was only, actually, 112 inches in length - an equivalent HO length of 60 inches. The as-built HO-Scale layout had called for 18 and 22 inch radius curves; I cut them down to 14 and 17 inch radius curves.  My adjustments(?) to the original track plan allowed me to increase the track/scenery ratio and to almost - maybe even more than - double the number of industrial facilities.  One of my major modifications was double tracking the whole kit-and-caboodle giving me multi-train operating potential.

Gertrude Stein said that "A Rose is a Rose is a Rose!"  Well, in my humble opinion, "A Trackplan is a Trackplan is a Trackplan!" I have, as I am sure you have, encountered trackplans which draw me back again and again for a variety of reasons. When I encounter a trackplan that suits my fancy the first thing I do is grab my hot-smoking calculator and start doing some equivelancies.  I don't look upon a trackplan as an "HO trackplan" nor as an N-Scale trackplan".  Within physical space restrictions an "HO trackplan" can be adjusted to work for N-Scale and an "N-Scale trackplan" can be adjusted to work for HO - and you don't always have to have a shoehorn to accomodate this adjustment.

Mike, I would say one thing at this point: in modifications from HO to N the closer you can come to maintaining an HO-Scale radius the better off you are going to be, partly for operational stability and partly for cosmetic reasons.  You can, to be sure, reduce an 18 inch HO radius down to 9¾ inch radius but, to avoid a toylike appearance, you are going to want to keep your track level close to eyelevel.  This is true in HO; it can be critical for satisfaction in N.

Just a few random thoughts in regards to your posting.   

[Eriediamond]

Try going to www.atlasrr.com and click on "layouts". Another interesting site is www.thortrains.net Ken

[mikesmowers]

   I am just considering building an N scale RR and was wondering where, if any, on line can I get some ideas for a track plan. I think I will start with a 3' X  7' board. Thanks     Mike