I'm going to build a new layout in N gauge. My problem is I have not done this for years. I'm 60 years old and still have my Lionel Trains, ( in boxes at this time). I also have HO that I have not touched for 20 years. I know just enough that I realize everything has changed. My layout will be about 6' x 32' when finished. Where do I go first to get a handle the new technology?Thanks
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Welcome back!
Begin a Bookmark Folder system by subject matter:
You'll get a lot of suggestions by looking under the General Discussion & Layouts and Layout Building threads. It will take apx. 30-60 minutes to go back 1-2 months for starters.
Don't forget a Bookmark Folder called for lack of a better name, "Forum Clinic Threads," which would include "The N Crowd" and many others authored by Joe Fugate such as "Operating Like the Prototype" that come up from time to time.
Take your good 'ole time to research what you really want to build.
For example: In my case, I'm taking a 4' x 12' HO Scale trackplan and reducing it down into N Scale proportions, roughly 2' x 6', to begin layout construction, and; it is being planned to be incorporated into level one of a larger around the walls two-level layout in a 9' x 9' space. My layout is traction interurban that can handle smaller radius curves - which is something you don't have (smaller radius) with your layout size.
Here is one source you'll use more than you'll ever know - the Trains.com Magazine Index...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?L=1&tmpl=tm_book
By the end of the day you should have a quite a bit of good suggestions from a number of N Scaler's. There are also quite a few threads you'll have bookmarked with a starting back question like your question here.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
You both are right, i was thinking of HO and Linonel, on size, I will look at reducing it maybe to 12'? Thanks for the information. You never stop being a kid at any age.
Garlan wrote: You both are right, i was thinking of HO and Linonel, on size, I will look at reducing it maybe to 12'? Thanks for the information. You never stop being a kid at any age.
Maybe start with a smaller module that you can add to. Look what I came up with in just 3 x 7. there's a lot of action there. If it doesn't work you've saved a couple grand.
Try:
www.nscale.net
and
www.trainboard.com
Trainboard has a dedicated N-scale discussion group. Traffic is not as heavy as it is here, but combining those two with the Trains forums should cover a *lot* of info.
I highly recommend building modules. As was pointed out, if you mess up a module, you're not out nearly as much as messing up a large layout. Plus, you can always rebuild / replace modules as your skills improve with practice or if you just want a change.
Enjoy yourself!
Garlan:
To piggy-back with Spacemouse, I'm doing my N Scale "small starter layout," apx. 2' x 6', and expanding out from there....
1st - plus on Layout Level 1, I'm also planning 3 more smaller traction interurban layout sections that will be connected to the 2' x 6' section.
2nd - the last part of construction will be the intertwining of a 2-track Class I mainline on Layout Level 1 & Layout Level 2 which will make this a multi-level trackplan.
This took quite some time to research and figure out.
Question: How does one eat an elephant?
Answer: One bite at a time!
Most of my resource books, other than Model Railroader Magazine (etc.), are Kalmbach Publications, but; there is a publisher-mix just to get a little different perspective like "Track Design" below: It's a compilation taken from 1960s-1970s Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine articles written in a straight-forward manner before the days of the helix & multi-level layouts.
In no particular order, here are four very helpful books (among others) that will total about U.S. $60.00 from various publishers and/or eBay:
Track Planning for Realistic Operation (John Armstrong)...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=4&YR=1979&output=5
How to Build Model Railroad Benchwork (Linn Westcott)...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=3&YR=1996&output=3
Track Design (Hal Carstens)...
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=3&YR=1989&output=5
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=I&MAG=BOOK&MO=7&YR=2000&output=3
This is also a good site for N Scale information. And I have gotten several of my questions answered accurately. However, since you are going N scale, might I suggest you also use a dedicated N scale site as an additional resource. For example www.nscale.net is the premier and leading dedicated N scale site on the Internet. I'm not an official of their site and you don't have to join. You can just browse around or search the various forums.
See Ya.
The very FIRST thing I would do is ask myself a lot of questions.....
If you have stuff setting in boxes for the last 20 years, obviously you've lost interest in trains somewhere along the line. The question is "Why?" For whatever reason(s) it was, I would try to do something different this time around to keep my interest growing in this great hobby.
Model Railroaders have never had it so good as they do today! The quality of EVERYTHING is better by a long shot than it was 20 years ago, especially in N-Scale.
I would take the time to "Plan" a layout that, again, will hold your interests. Watching a train go around in circles gets old after a while. But building a layout that actually "Operates" like the real thing is a lot more interesting (To some.) If I had the room I would have a shelf-type layout that would go around the walls in a basement or other large room. And to that I would add several industries and a yard or two to switch and store cars.
But since I live in an apartment now, all I have is a "L" shaped switching layout in N-Scale with my own short-line RR interchanging cars with one of my favorite RR's (GT). I'm about to start on scenery, but I can still spend an hour switching cars around right now.
I also have an N-Scale layout that was built on a door that a good friend gave me after he saw my layout. The door-layout was his first attempt at building a model RR and he admitted that watching trains go around in circles got boring after a while. And when he saw how I "Operated" my layout, he knew what he wanted on his next layout.
I just hope my eyes hold out for a few more years so I can enjoy my present layout before I head down the track for my last run.
Just take your time this time, find a good hobby shop, check out the great books from our hosts, and stay with quality products from Atlas, Kato, and other quality companies. Stay away from the cheaper JUNK from a few of the "Other" companies that still try to get your $$$$.
Good Luck,
cf7