OldManHobbies I was planning on starting with a 4x8 area, as I can get that past the Mrs. without too much of a hassle. I was thinking of a layout similiar to the Virginian... or something similiar. I know I'd like some rolling hills, a tunnel, maybe a wooden trussel bridge, and coal mine (and a bonus if i can add a coal conveyor across the hillsides). A river with barges would be wonderful, but not sure I have the room to accomodate all of that just yet.
Taking your "givens and druthers" into account, it sounds like N-scale would work much better for you. In HO, a 4' x 8' layout would need sharp curves and short trains, and would really only work for one "scene" (like one town, one coal mine, etc.). In N, you could do longer trains, have more scenes, and broader curves allowing larger engines and cars.
The advice to check the trackplan database is good; being "old school" I'd also advise getting some trackplanning books from Kalmbach like "Track Planning for Realistic Operation", and "101 Track Plans" (and the follow-up 102 and 103 books).
An idea would be to take one of the HO 4 x 8 layout plans and building it in N scale. Those 15" and 18"R curves are tight in HO, but broad in N scale. You could run big engines, even articulated steam engines, full length passenger cars, etc.
Consider using Kato Unitrack. There is a wide variety of track pieces in N scale, and it's going to be a lot easier getting things up and running than using flextrack. You can try out different ideas with Unitrack without having to fasten it down. Once you are sure the layout works the way you want it to, you can elevate the track using Woodland Scenic foam risers - makes it much easier to add a river and bridges than hacking out the plywood.
http://www.katousa.com/N/unitrack.html
https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/SubTerrainSystem
BTW don't worry about the "old eyes need big trains" argument. If you have trouble seeing the trains, go to your opthamologist and get a pair of "computer glasses". They work great for model railroading.
OldManHobbiesI like the look of the HO scale cars. I haven't really seen any N scale in person.
Hi OldManHobbies,
Welcome to the hobby and to the forums!!
Personally, I'm into HO and I like the size. I think N scale is too small but that's just me. Lots of people will disagree. You really should get to see a couple of N scale layouts in operation before you decide. How you do that during Covid is not a question I can answer. Maybe start by asking your local hobby shop if you have one.
The other thing you should try to determine is what theme you want your layout to model. If you want long coal drags with multiple engines, you are going to have a hard time doing that convincingly in HO on a 4x8 layout.
Good luck!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I personally prefer HO scale. Easier for me to handle and my eyesight is not as good as before.
I have seen Nscale layouts at shows (pre-Covid) and because they had the space the modelers would cram in as much track as possible.
I have seen only one Nscale layout I liked. Why? Because they used a HO scale plan and transferred it to Nscale. There was much gentler curves. Any straits had a slight curve. The scenery was much relaxer to the eye.
I was told when planning a layout is to think like the railroad planners did. If there is an easier way to get from A to B they would build the line as such. A tunnel was the last resort in a way. Even a deep cutting was more preferable. Obviously if a tunnel was the only option then a tunnel was built.
Transfer that information to HO/Nscale a layout becomes easier to build and operate.
At first keep the plan simple to operate by yourself (even if others may be there at times) Get something running asap even if it is in a yard. Then build on from there. When doing scenery/buildings etc. see what you see not what you thought you saw. Transfer to the modeling what you see and it is correct.
Some modelers like to run favorite locomotives etc that are of different regions of the country. Some modelers choose a railroad company and run only their rolling stock. Whichever way you choose you are right. The main thing is to enjoy the journey. Sometimes you may get unstuck. We have all been there. Ask questions on this Forum. Someone will know the answer. The only wrong question is the one you did not ask.
Keep it fun even at serious times.
Post us some pictures as you progress
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
OldManHobbies Hello all. Like the title says, I'm very new to trains. I had some relatives that had HO stuff back when I was a kid, so I remember seeing some nice setups back then. I'm now in my 40's and think I'd like to build a little something myself. Keep me busy during the winter months or rainy days when I can't fly R/C. :) I'm from south western Pennsylvania and have watched trains hauling coal my entire life. I was planning on starting with a 4x8 area, as I can get that past the Mrs. without too much of a hassle. I was thinking of a layout similiar to the Virginian... or something similiar. I know I'd like some rolling hills, a tunnel, maybe a wooden trussel bridge, and coal mine (and a bonus if i can add a coal conveyor across the hillsides). A river with barges would be wonderful, but not sure I have the room to accomodate all of that just yet. I live in a area with a lot of very small, old "coal towns". I can't really build to scale of the area because it's so spread out, but I figured I can condense those areas down and bring a little something from different areas. I like the look of the HO scale cars. I haven't really seen any N scale in person. I know I can fit more into my area with N scale, but I wasn't sure if it is a lot more expensive, or if the detail is there like it is with the HO stuff? Plus, I'm not going to get any younger, and not sure if the N scale would be hard to see/work on down the road? Any input, suggestions, thoughts, advice for a new guy looking to get started?
Hello all. Like the title says, I'm very new to trains. I had some relatives that had HO stuff back when I was a kid, so I remember seeing some nice setups back then. I'm now in my 40's and think I'd like to build a little something myself. Keep me busy during the winter months or rainy days when I can't fly R/C. :)
I'm from south western Pennsylvania and have watched trains hauling coal my entire life. I was planning on starting with a 4x8 area, as I can get that past the Mrs. without too much of a hassle. I was thinking of a layout similiar to the Virginian... or something similiar. I know I'd like some rolling hills, a tunnel, maybe a wooden trussel bridge, and coal mine (and a bonus if i can add a coal conveyor across the hillsides). A river with barges would be wonderful, but not sure I have the room to accomodate all of that just yet. I live in a area with a lot of very small, old "coal towns". I can't really build to scale of the area because it's so spread out, but I figured I can condense those areas down and bring a little something from different areas.
I like the look of the HO scale cars. I haven't really seen any N scale in person. I know I can fit more into my area with N scale, but I wasn't sure if it is a lot more expensive, or if the detail is there like it is with the HO stuff? Plus, I'm not going to get any younger, and not sure if the N scale would be hard to see/work on down the road?
Any input, suggestions, thoughts, advice for a new guy looking to get started?
Some thoughts on space and scale.
N:
If you only have a small area for a layout, the N-scale will fit a lot more in than HO which you know.
There is a lot of nice newer N scale rolling stock having been produced during the past 20 years such as Wheels of Time, Trainworx, Bowser, Intermountain and even Athearn has entered the N scale market with nice freight cars.
Bowser in particular tends to produce northeast related rolling stock, but Trainworx makes some very nice N scale freight cars - IMO, as good or better than Microtrains.
HO:
If you are limited to a 4x8 layout, the curves in HO will be rather sharp 18 or 22 inch curves. That mean longer engines or rolling stock may not operate well or at minimum look not so good on those curves. If you don't mind running mostly 4-axle diesels, shorter steam engines and shorter freight cars, then it may be ok.
As for cost, N scale may cost a little less item for item, but it's not half price for half the size. A lot of the nicer HO freight cars these days with finer detail can generally run around $30 to as high as $55 street price or so each. Nicer N scale freight cars can run around $20- $35 each street price.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
OldManHobbiesI'm from south western Pennsylvania and have watched trains hauling coal my entire life. I was planning on starting with a 4x8 area, as I can get that past the Mrs. without too much of a hassle.
Welcome to the forums!
It's been a long time since I was actively searching for layout track plans, and how to fit what I wanted in it. For a start, I think you will do well to start small with a 4x8. Check out the MR Track Plan database. Over the years MR has put out many 4x8 layouts, I am sure you will find several that fit into the "coal hauling/ mining" category. Here's the link: https://mrr.trains.com/how-to/track-plan-database
I too chose 4x8 as a start because it seems a more acceptable fit within the home life. If you decide later to expand, you can tear out, split, or modify with extensions. I think you will enjoy this format as a way to get into the hobby. In the meantime, a 4x8 is do-able; other plans may take more effort, time, or investment. And don't overlook, another startout idea is a small shelf layout.
Have fun!
OldManHobbiesHello all. Like the title says, I'm very new to trains.
I have built layouts in both HO and N scale.
Where N scale gets expensive is in areas with lots of buildings. It costs 3-4 times as much to fill a built up area in N scale with plastic building kits than it does in HO.
If you model rural areas, the costs are about the same.
Each has advantages.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Sounds like a very ambitious project for HO scale. The G&D was a brilliant plan, but was based on tight curves and lots of elevation. Only small locomotives with few cars can operate well on that, in my opinion. But if you like logging and small mining operations, it can work well. There are neat little steam engines you can find, but beware, some have fragile gears... I can't comment about N scale, but if you want to operate long coal drags, I would say that's your only option. Or negociate more space with your partner...
Simon
OldManHobbies I haven't really seen any N scale in person. I know I can fit more into my area with N scale, but I wasn't sure if it is a lot more expensive, or if the detail is there like it is with the HO stuff?
I'm not a Nscale guy but there are lots of folks who are. You should definitely see them in person before choosing that scale. The detail is much better than it used to be and they are probably less expensive.
The space advantage is huge, but they just look to small to me. That's a personal call, not a judgement of the scale.
Unfortunately Covid has put an end to train shows where you could travel and see several layouts. Where do you live now, maybe someone has some suggestion for something local to you?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
As you have probably figured out as a newbie your first few post are moderated and delayed.John Allen’s first G&D had a little bit of everything on an area slightly smaller than 4’ x 8’.
Click on the drawing to enlarge
This is my version of John’s layout on a 4’ x 8’ footprint. My second and third layout were built around this drawing.Get a picture host and post pictures, we love seeing each others work.
Links to John's layouts
http://www.doug56.net/GD/
http://gdlines.org/GDLines/index.html Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.