Burlington Northern #24 No Galaxy, it wasn't you it was the other fellow who mixed up the scale that the layout and myself are in.
No Galaxy, it wasn't you it was the other fellow who mixed up the scale that the layout and myself are in.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
Burlington Northern #24 11" N scale radii curves, it was never a problem. Can I not want something simple to practice my scenery skills on? There will be plenty of time for me to use massive radii, etc. on my next layout, but at the rate that the spot for is getting taken care of it may never happen.
11" N scale radii curves, it was never a problem. Can I not want something simple to practice my scenery skills on?
There will be plenty of time for me to use massive radii, etc. on my next layout, but at the rate that the spot for is getting taken care of it may never happen.
galaxy Gary, I know you are doing N Scale, and a circle is about all you get unless you strive for 2 circles in some manner on the same layout. Just to give you an idea of what a small layout can do...In HO, granted, but people tell me what I have done is "impossible". I have a 3.5 foot x 5.1 foot HO layout. It consists of a 15"R inside oval interconnected to an 18"R outer oval via 4 switches aimed at each other. Inside the 15"R oval is a 4 spur mini yard, AND A 2 SPUR engine storage/servicing facility. I also have a "track to nowhere" side on the other side of the station near the 4 spur yard that simulates another siding That is not connected in any way, but "disappears into the horizon". {I mentioned that to you already}. I have a mountain top on the back right corner on top of which I have a water wheel saw mill and lumber storage shed with another piece of short 9" track "disappearing" into the horizon. I have a "mini town" in the center betwixt the station. 4 spur yard and engine facility.Its just a few buildings and houses. In order to avoid the "flat pancake look" I used Woodland Scenics {WS} risers and inclines on top of which I used WS black foam roadbed with latex caulk to tie down the track. It makes the terrain "undulate" instead of flat as a pancake. Remembering that ROUGHLY, HO is twice the size of N, that means an comparabel N scale would be about 24" x about 31". That is a lot of action in a small space!!! I am NOT saying that in 24x31 inches in N you could get all i got in, mind you. Just saying a LOT of action can be paced into a "circle only" or "two circle only" layout! So give 'er a go and have fun! EDIT: here is a link to a whole website of SMALL MICRO layouts!!!: Hunt an' poke around, LOTS of stuff with pics there!!!: http://www.carendt.com/index.html
Gary,
I know you are doing N Scale, and a circle is about all you get unless you strive for 2 circles in some manner on the same layout.
Just to give you an idea of what a small layout can do...In HO, granted, but people tell me what I have done is "impossible".
I have a 3.5 foot x 5.1 foot HO layout. It consists of a 15"R inside oval interconnected to an 18"R outer oval via 4 switches aimed at each other. Inside the 15"R oval is a 4 spur mini yard, AND A 2 SPUR engine storage/servicing facility. I also have a "track to nowhere" side on the other side of the station near the 4 spur yard that simulates another siding That is not connected in any way, but "disappears into the horizon". {I mentioned that to you already}.
I have a mountain top on the back right corner on top of which I have a water wheel saw mill and lumber storage shed with another piece of short 9" track "disappearing" into the horizon.
I have a "mini town" in the center betwixt the station. 4 spur yard and engine facility.Its just a few buildings and houses.
In order to avoid the "flat pancake look" I used Woodland Scenics {WS} risers and inclines on top of which I used WS black foam roadbed with latex caulk to tie down the track. It makes the terrain "undulate" instead of flat as a pancake.
Remembering that ROUGHLY, HO is twice the size of N, that means an comparabel N scale would be about 24" x about 31".
That is a lot of action in a small space!!! I am NOT saying that in 24x31 inches in N you could get all i got in, mind you. Just saying a LOT of action can be paced into a "circle only" or "two circle only" layout!
So give 'er a go and have fun!
EDIT: here is a link to a whole website of SMALL MICRO layouts!!!: Hunt an' poke around, LOTS of stuff with pics there!!!:
http://www.carendt.com/index.html
I for one would love to see a track plan or some pics of this layout .
Have fun with your trains
HI Galaxy,
The OP's problem was he insisted on using a 22" radius (the equivalent in HO) and then you would have issues on a 4x4 HO layout.
All remarks about using a smaller radius or a tad larger piece of ply were rejected.
I am glad he is happy building his circle of track now and he is able to find the site of the late Carl Arendt for tons of inspiration.
Paul
unfortunately my LHS carries very little MRRing stuff. Atlas & bachmann track, Atlas, MP, Bachmann kits, and atlas rolling stock.
Hi Burlington Northern #24
Next time you are in a hobby shop.
Take a look at Peco "N" set track points (switches).
While these brutes are horrible short sharp things I would not normally sugest unless being used
in the confines of a very tight industrial area, they are a good quality point
They are worth a look for your tiny layout the curved side is 9" radius which is sharp but might get you the desired sidings.
regards John
actually galaxy you just gave me an idea(if you didn't hear the light bulb click ). I could raise part of the track. I've been wanting to try and put some water or a water like scene thingy majigerbobber.
amazing, yes I'd really like to try and do an urban scene or something with a small town sort of feeling.
Burlington Northern #24 yep, ops are no longer(I didn't realize they were) a goal for this layout. are all of the pictured layouts yours Mr. Smith? They look great!
yep, ops are no longer(I didn't realize they were) a goal for this layout. are all of the pictured layouts yours Mr. Smith? They look great!
Yep, the top in HOn30, the bottom two are G, one is 24" square and the other which I posted earlier is 36" square.
I sort of fell into building micros a few years ago when I had to dismantle my fixed layout when we demolished and rebuilt our garage. I started with the 36" sq pizza, added the second level track about a year later and have been dabbling with micros ever since. As I said they are very fun to build and quite addictive. The chief advantage being you can build a micro and finish it quickly , they dont take up anywhere as much room as a traditional layout, and you can try a wide range of scales styles gauges ideas fantasies whatever, without breaking the bank or causing a near divorce when your layout eats up the entire family room.
So go for it and remember with a micro, the detailing gets focused inward, every square inch is part of the layout and something for the eye to consider. They are great tools for learning detailing.
Paulus Jas BN guy, please wake up. You will NEVER EVER get something in beyond a circle as long as you use an 11 inch radius. The 11 inches are the centre-line so you will need the extra inch at both sides to keep your trains from kissing the edge. A last try: using the 9,75 inch code 80 track of Atlas will give you 2,5 inch to play with. Just enough to get Texas Zepher first option in, just not enough to realise his second plan. I would head for the hardware store. When you politely ask, they may find you a slightly bigger piece of scrap ply for free. Paul
BN guy,
please wake up.
You will NEVER EVER get something in beyond a circle as long as you use an 11 inch radius. The 11 inches are the centre-line so you will need the extra inch at both sides to keep your trains from kissing the edge.
A last try: using the 9,75 inch code 80 track of Atlas will give you 2,5 inch to play with. Just enough to get Texas Zepher first option in, just not enough to realise his second plan.
I would head for the hardware store. When you politely ask, they may find you a slightly bigger piece of scrap ply for free.
Theres nothing wrong with a simple circle ,
General comment regarding small pizza type layouts
OK there are no ops but thats not the goal now is it, its to develop modeling skills, thats what micro Pizza layout likes this are best for. As the OP does say he has plans for a larger layout down the line but that he wants to develop his skills now. Besides Micro Pizza's are just plain fun and allow alot of folks who dont have room for a traditional layout, to dabble in model railroading of various scales :
PS this above is also 24"x24" and in G BTW
I also have a Gn15 24"x30" layout in the works as well as a 9" square N layout, If you love to model but dont want to spend 20 years and a zillion dollars filling a basement, this is a great way to participate in the hobby.
ok, first off please calm down, I've read all your guy's suggestions, I understand I won't get much with 11" curves, I just want something simple that I don't have to pour a bunch of money into, I know that's not possible but I'd rather just keep this simple and focus on the details of the scene(s), as well as practicing my ballasting skill, what I can do to liven up building kits, and if my abilities from my previous layout will be improved.
Texas Zepher Burlington Northern #24yeah, hmmmmm well I grabbed a couple extra boxes of 11" and there are some small straights in between maybe I could get an 11" inside of another 11" loop. That is a good idea but won't work in a 24"x24" space. Any straight at all will require the equivalent length extension to the space.
Burlington Northern #24yeah, hmmmmm well I grabbed a couple extra boxes of 11" and there are some small straights in between maybe I could get an 11" inside of another 11" loop.
Rmax, I like that Idea I was going to try and keep it simple I've got a few small locos to choose from an NW2, RS1, F7, GP15-1, a GP9, and a 2-8-4 for steam
I build 2x4 modules and as I get room join them together. That way I do not waste time or materials as much. I have also been finding out that my love for large locomotives is not as practical so I am going to smaller locos and cars. I have found there are some really interesting things about small locos. One of the things I am finding out is how to manage the illusion of distance. The smaller loco kind of give the feel of switching without actually having to do it.
RMax
yeah, hmmmmm well I grabbed a couple extra boxes of 11" and there are some small straights in between maybe I could get an 11" inside of another 11" loop.
hmmmmmm, maybe I can't seem to decide upon what I want to do. I wonder if there are curved turnouts that measure out to 11" radius. I'll be back I'm gonna go take a gander, at curved turnout selection.
galaxyYou COULD do a double mainline with the 9-er inside the 11-er OR put the 9-er over top the 11-er with the 11-er in a tunnel directly underneath the 9-er. {The 11-er will naturally extend out beyond the 9-er loop.}
OR put the 9-er over top the 11-er with the 11-er in a tunnel directly underneath the 9-er. {The 11-er will naturally extend out beyond the 9-er loop.}
I didn't want to discourage you, especially since you said you were going to try chopping the switch, but I didn't think it would fit.
You COULD do a double mainline with the 9-er inside the 11-er
There would be obvious variants that way. There would be space between the 9-er above and the 11-er below to put something...
Also, you don't HAVE to have a switch..you could have a "disappearing" sideline that "disappears" behind a building that is not connected directly to the oval of 11-er to simulate a siding/industry.
It may not seem like it, but you DO have a realm of all kinds of possibilities!!!
Think and play and experiment!
GOod luck!
alrighty seems that the overall design has had a change, the switch didn't fit. I'm using 11" so I guess that this layout will be about track work, scenery and some scratchbuilding.
hi gentlemen,
I overlooked the posting of Texas Zepher.
Wish you luck
hmmm, maybe texas zephyr I have a box of 9 3/4's on hand I'm going to swing by my LHS tomorrow after class to see if they've restocked their track.
Alco, I know but I feel that I'd be much better of just sticking with a simple 2' x 2' I've got wood for my bigger layout but I need to clear out the space that it is going before I can do anything else. I wanted something simple to build, easy to maintain, and something to test on. I understand the one(s) you've suggested are centimeters bigger but I want to keep it as simple as possible with little wood work and other non needed activities.
John, I like the idea but this layout will be mostly for tracklaying, scenic, scratchbuilding, and generally making a scene feel bigger than it really is. because the track will not be nailed down a quick shimming and addition of C55 track linked with the C80 will allow operation in the future.
Rest assured I've read all of your guy's suggestions, and will consider them.
Burlington Northern #24 I will Mr. Smith!(G scale holy smokes that's a pretty tight fit.) John, if I read your post correctly you want me to build it so that it may be an extra branch onto my 4' x 6'. Unfortunately C80 and C55 are different rail heights. I was also planning to keep the layouts separate, the 2' x 2' was going to be a basic circle with an industry to switch and place cars. I know that my locos and rolling stock will be limited but that's ok because I didn't want anything complex.
I will Mr. Smith!(G scale holy smokes that's a pretty tight fit.)
John, if I read your post correctly you want me to build it so that it may be an extra branch onto my 4' x 6'. Unfortunately C80 and C55 are different rail heights. I was also planning to keep the layouts separate, the 2' x 2' was going to be a basic circle with an industry to switch and place cars. I know that my locos and rolling stock will be limited but that's ok because I didn't want anything complex.
Hi Burlington Northern#24
Just thoughts for your consideration as you should be able to get more than just a circle of track and a siding in the allotted space.
Yes the idea was to consider using the small layout as a branch line for the later larger project
It would be a shame to do all that work only have to start from Zero again on the big project.
I can tell you scenery will be a challenge in a small space but well worth the effort, the big advantage you will have is time to think and see just how far you can push the level detail.
Burlington Northern #24Alco fan, I have this board that I bought to originally house the power packs and block selectors
Wood is not that expensive. The existing board limits what you can do, save a week or two and buy a larger piece of wood.
Burlington Northern #24 I'm going to build a small tabletop N scale layout on a 2' x 2' ... I know that due to the tiny nature of the board, my space will be limited. I plan on using my xuron rail cutters to shorten a turnout so I can have an industry to switch. the track I'm using is code 80, I know that the biggest loco allowed on the board will be an SD40. it's also going to be a test bed for new scenery techniques as well as basic wiring
Here is the best I can do with the amount of space given and using Atlas track. Curves are 9 3/4" radius.
If you can find another 3" for 24"x27" then one can get a second much longer industrial track and operation becomes much more intersting.
Here is an HO 32" x 34" equivalent that I built several years ago. On difference in it is that Atlas made curved turnouts for HO scale. Minimum radius is 15". There is a back story posted about it and its operation here on the forum somewhere on a thread concerning the smallest layout.
Now if you switch to older Bachmann track I believe they make 9" and even 7 3/4" radius curves and also turnouts that had a curved radius departure track to match the 9" curve. Peco makes an N-scale curved turnout but the radii are so large the Atlas normal #4s work better.
If you could squeeze out yet another 3" or 4" then you could get the N-scale equivalent of the one below. It is a pretty cool layout that we (children and I) had hours of fun with.