The "N" Crowd

[NNeil]

  A few months ago I started building a new layout and I decided to change completely to Atlas code 55.

  My previous layout had a small section with Atlas  code 55 and I had no problems with it and I was very impressed with the appearance compared to code 80.  I did have to change the wheels on my my MT trucks but Atlas does sell low profile wheels to fit MT trucks.  Otherwise I had no trouble operating my other equipment including two old Kato locos that I bought in the late 1980's.

  On my first trial section I used flex track and #7 turnouts.  On my new layout I also used #5 turnouts and this is where I've encountered my first problems.  Although rolling stock passes smoothly over the #5 turnouts, all of my locos including a brand new Atlas loco rock quite severely when passing over the frog.  There have even been occassional derailments from this.  This isn't just a problem with one or two turnouts but all of them.

  Since I only have about half a dozen #5 turnouts I've decided to replace them all with #7s.  I find they look a lot better anyway and I do have the space for the longer turnouts.

 

[jwils1]

Mike:

Any problems with electrical conductivity wth the pre-weathered track?

[mls1621]

All the track on the visible part of the layout is Micro Engineering code 70.  The flex track is their pre-weathered product and the turnouts have been painted to match. 

I started this layout before Atlas released their code 55.  However, if I had gone with code 55, I would have used Micro Engineering.  Their rail clamps on the ties are smaller than Atlas' and allow running MicroTrain wheels without the flanges hitting.  I've since replaced most of my plastic wheel sets with Intermountains metal. 

[jwils1]

mis1621:

Great photos.  Your track looks very good.  What type and size and what method did you use to paint it?

[Dave Vollmer]

Mike,

That layout looks fantastic!  Who makes that track...  is that Atlas code 55?

[mls1621]

It's great to see an area where we, much maligned(by our HO[horribly oversized]friends)N scalers can share ideas.

Here are a few shots of my 10' X 14' "L" layout. 

[R. T. POTEET]

chaya, its hard for all of us to part with our pennies and that does not imply stinginess; sometimes the decision is less about buying an Athearn Challenger or a Bachmann Mountain than about do I buy either one.  I, like you, have terrific pressures placed on my iron men!

My interest in railroading and hence in model railroading was stimulated by my developing interest in Western History; my main area of study in college was "The American Frontier and American Frontier Traditions"; you cannot study the American West without eventually encountering the iron horse and it was only a short time after I became a ferroequinologist that I became a modelferroeqinologist.  My wife of three years now is currently watching the John Wayne filmathon on the western channel; she likes movies.  Me?  Well I watched Trains and Locomotives on RFDTV this morning and then I shifted over to The History Channel and watched a documentary on the Battle of the Denmark Straits - thats the Bismarck-Hood battle of May 24, 1941 - before I came up on the forum to see what was going on.  I eat, sleep, and drink history!

By the way, I currently am not working on a novel set in Wyoming cow country circa 1907-1947.  It does not really involve trains except that that was the way you moved around in that era and I have acquired a lot of timetables to insure accuracy as my characters arrive at and depart from specific locations at specific times. 

[chaya]

I might even buy it strictly because this subject has not been extensively explored and, as a history major, these things automatically pique my interest.  I probably would not buy it solely as an exploration of railroad history but keep in mind that I am not a Rio Grande buff and I AM NOT MODELING A RAILROAD BASED UPON "THE CHILI LINE".  You are and you will find much value in this book as a modeler as I did as a history buff.  This book will be in my library when I finally assume a horizontal attitude!!!

A history major!  After disability finally forced my retirement from all work of any kind, I went the route of history--which was always one of my first loves.  I am over 700 pages into a book--which is not about railroading--and have two other historical book ideas in the wings (also not about railroading).  I am truly crazy about history.

I guess I really wanted to know if the book was worth getting at that price even though I have such fantastic resources right here in Santa Fe already.  It's just real hard for me to part with my pennies.  I expect you can hear them screaming from clear over there where you are.  Okay, okay, I'll buy it!

 

 

[R. T. POTEET]

This railroad fit into the theme of a novel I was toying with in those days and I picked up a copy at the museum in 1977.

Thanks!  The museum didn't mention it on their website, but I found used copies on Amazon.  Seems kind of pricey for being a 56-page book.  In your opinion, is the book worth paying $23-28 for a used copy?

As I have thought about it I may not have purchased this book in 1977; I was at the museum in that year but I cannot be assured of exactly when I did purchase it but it almost certainly before the mid-'80s.

So also I apparently made an error in the length of this monograph: my copy is currently boxed up with most of my library and my WAG of 80 pages was just that: wild.

Now to the subject:

chaya, I will agree with Dave V that this book would be worth the price being ask on ebay; were I still fantasizing over a novel set in Santa Fe/northern New Mexico circa 1872-1905 then I would probably buy it as a historical reference supporting that novel.  I might even buy it strictly because this subject has not been extensively explored and, as a history major, these things automatically pique my interest.  I probably would not buy it solely as an exploration of railroad history but keep in mind that I am not a Rio Grande buff and I AM NOT MODELING A RAILROAD BASED UPON "THE CHILI LINE".  You are and you will find much value in this book as a modeler as I did as a history buff.  This book will be in my library when I finally assume a horizontal attitude!!!

[nscaler711]

Quik ?'s

does any one have a Myspace? if you do contact me here

http://www.myspace.com/nscaler

EDIT: youll have to cut and paste into your browser....link or lack of wont work 

[Dave Vollmer]

I have that book, and yes, it's worth it!

[chaya]

As long as the subject is on "The Chili Line" are you aware there, chaya, that many years ago - and I do mean MANY years ago - the Colorado Railroad Museum published a book appropriately titled, are you ready for this? "The Chili Line".  This railroad fit into the theme of a novel I was toying with in those days and I picked up a copy at the museum in 1977.

It is about an 80 page staple-bound eight and a half by eleven publication rich in history and profusely illustrated. By a quirk there was one for sale at the silent auction at the national convention in Seattle three years ago.  Apparantly this has been reissued since I bought mine because the covers were with a different tone.  If you thought you might be interested you might check with the museum; they may have republished it and have a copy on hand.

Thanks!  The museum didn't mention it on their website, but I found used copies on Amazon.  Seems kind of pricey for being a 56-page book.  In your opinion, is the book worth paying $23-28 for a used copy?

 

[R. T. POTEET]

Dave, Albuquerque has a very active NTRAK club; they bring their modules all over the southwest here for various events.  Arizona is hosting the PSR (Pacific Southwest Region) in Tucson in September and the NTRAK club there is going to set up a layout - the Albuquerque club has, as I understand it, accepted an invitation to participate.  They technically are not part of the PSR but, as I said, they are very active and frequently participate in Arizona events.  If, by chance, you joined we may meet one of these days!

Dave, I never did take the opportunity to thank you for your information on the Bowser hopper cars; it was very informative and I think that that is probably the way I am going to have to go.  If I transition to the fifties from where I model now - the late '80s-early '90s - then this coal dealership will be active and receive hoppers on a regular basis; if, on the other hand, I stay where I am now then the dealership will still be there but the trestle will be gone and the storage hoppers will now be receptacles for tanks holding fossil fuel gasses. 

[Dave Vollmer]

I'm headed out that way next year.  I'm Air Force and I'm expecting orders to Kirtland AFB next year.

Dave, every time I see you say that you are expecting orders to Al-bum-querque I am reminded that in 1969 I had orders for the Pentagon, papers in hand; I also had an overseas imbalance AFSC which, had I been awake, I would have realized had already kept me from retraining as a Satellite Communications Technician. If the Air Force could not assign me to Manchester, New Hampshire on a controlled tour why should I have expected that they could/would assign me to the Pentagon on a controlled tour.  Anyway, do you know how far Danang, Republic of Vietnam is from Alexandria, Virginia: nine thousand, eight hundred, and forty two miles according to the map at base ops. 

At two different times in my career I had paper orders in-hand for Barksdale AFB, LA.  Once as a 2Lt and once as a Capt.  I still have yet to have been assigned there!

I know orders are usually fickle.  This time, though, it's the AFRL/ABL SPO at Kirtland is actually sponsoring my PhD.  I'd be somewhat surprised if they cut me loose and ate 3 years of tuition.

[R. T. POTEET]

As long as the subject is on "The Chili Line" are you aware there, chaya, that many years ago - and I do mean MANY years ago - the Colorado Railroad Museum published a book appropriately titled, are you ready for this? "The Chili Line".  This railroad fit into the theme of a novel I was toying with in those days and I picked up a copy at the museum in 1977.

It is about an 80 page staple-bound eight and a half by eleven publication rich in history and profusely illustrated. By a quirk there was one for sale at the silent auction at the national convention in Seattle three years ago.  Apparantly this has been reissued since I bought mine because the covers were with a different tone.  If you thought you might be interested you might check with the museum; they may have republished it and have a copy on hand.

[chaya]

Fisheries biologist AFTER the Army. 

Great website, Dave, and an amazing layout with nice photography.  You're right, it looks huge!   Hard to believe it is on a door, and even harder to believe that you successfully transport your layout from one duty station to the next. 

 

 

[R. T. POTEET]

I'm headed out that way next year.  I'm Air Force and I'm expecting orders to Kirtland AFB next year.

Dave, every time I see you say that you are expecting orders to Al-bum-querque I am reminded that in 1969 I had orders for the Pentagon, papers in hand; I also had an overseas imbalance AFSC which, had I been awake, I would have realized had already kept me from retraining as a Satellite Communications Technician. If the Air Force could not assign me to Manchester, New Hampshire on a controlled tour why should I have expected that they could/would assign me to the Pentagon on a controlled tour.  Anyway, do you know how far Danang, Republic of Vietnam is from Alexandria, Virginia: nine thousand, eight hundred, and forty two miles according to the map at base ops. 

[Dave Vollmer]

Yes, I'm a meteorologist.  Working on my PhD in meteorology right now.  The USAF likes its officers to be edu-macated.

My wife and I drove from the depot on Guadalupe Street up through Espanola and Taos on a ski trip to Taos Valley some years ago.  We snooped around the rock-encrusted Embudo depot and were happily surprised to find a few sunbleached ties and the water tank still there.

I did some modeling in HOn3 some years ago, although I did RGS.  I was just out in Santa Fe last August for the AMS 12th Conference on Mountain Meteorology.  We stayed at the La Fonda, where I have since learned there was once a D&RG box headlight as a wall decoration.

Fisheries Biologist...  wow.  Not a vocation I'd typically associate with the Army!

I use Atlas and Peco code 80...  although I've recently been wishing I'd used Atlas 55.  As I'm photographing my layout for magazine spread, the close-ups make the rail height much more obvious.  I have a few older pieces, but the vast majority of my stuff would work just fine on Code 55.  The Micro-Trains cars can easily be fixed with low-profile wheelsets.

Stop by my website in my signature block.  I'm pretty proud of how big the layout looks in photos, even though it's just a 36"-wide door.

[chaya]

A meteorologist, then.  I'm a fisheries biologist (or was, before retiring).   I have no combat spurs!   Thank you for your service, Dave.

When you say you've traced the Chile Line, do you mean all the way from Tomasita's (the old joint D&RGW/NMC depot in Santa Fe) through town and across the Caja del Rio Plateau to Otero Bridge, then through Espanola and up to Taos?  On a map, satellite, historical research, by car, on foot, by bicycle--or mounted bareback upon a burro, the way we all do it here?

It wasn't easy for me.  The NMC was even harder.  Both lines are quickly being buried beneath developments for rich people who want to live in McMansions on designer "ranchos."  They then dress funny and come into town to mingle.

Do you have any older equipment, and did you have any trouble running it on Atlas code 55?  I've been hearing that Peco code 55 allows one to run equipment with wide flanges better than does Atlas.  Have you heard anything similar?  

On the other hand, I already have some Peco 80 switches, and it would be a shame to just dump them.   

I'm also wondering if anyone has tried mating an Atlas code 80 crossover to Peco code 55 flextrack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cchnguage]

I am working on my dream layout. It is in a building that is 14x28. I have two 30" wide tables along both 28' sides and one end of the building and a 4' wide by 24' long table down the middle. I have been working on this for about 4 years. I am modeling the NS routes in Alabama south of Birmingham. I have just finished laying the last of the track. I modeled the NS yard in Irondale, AL which is outside of Birmingham. I have about 180' of mainline. I am slowly putting in scenery. I am using DCC Digitrax.

[Dave Vollmer]

I've followed the Chili Line myself from Santa Fe to Taos Jct.

I'm headed out that way next year.  I'm Air Force and I'm expecting orders to Kirtland AFB next year.

  A real Chile Line fan!  Let me know when you arrive.  Once you're here, you'll quickly learn how to spell "chile." 

I'm a hoary old Army veteran myself.

No kidding!  As a weather officer I've spent about half my career with the Army, including with JRTC at Fort Polk, 1AD in Bosnia, 17 AVN BDE and EUSA in Korea, and most recently 2ACR in Iraq.

I always enjoyed working with the Army.  I love their sense of history.  In fact, I earned my combat spurs with 2nd Cav in Baghdad.

[chaya]

I've followed the Chili Line myself from Santa Fe to Taos Jct.

I'm headed out that way next year.  I'm Air Force and I'm expecting orders to Kirtland AFB next year.

  A real Chile Line fan!  Let me know when you arrive.  Once you're here, you'll quickly learn how to spell "chile." 

I'm a hoary old Army veteran myself.

 

[chaya]

The consensus seems to be that Micro Engineering Code 55 is a little bit on the fragile side - something which I personally have not experienced in many years of its use - while the Atlas Code 55 has higher spikes and therefore a lower clearance for flanges.

Switches are the major problem if using Code 55; Micro Engineering has one; Atlas has three.  I make my own but if you really want a variety of switches you will need to look at the switch kits from BK Enterprises, a bit pricey, perhaps, but absolutely beautiful. 

Wow, making your own in N scale would be an art!  Maybe a little more than I can handle without tutoring.  I was going to use Peco track.  They seem to have flextrack and also a great variety of switches in Code 55--really, everything I could want except for crossovers.  I always used Peco electrofrog switches before (Code 80), along with Atlas flextrack (also 80).   I like them fine.

I know they actually "embed" the rails in the plastic ties.  Not sure how that will work out.

 

[R. T. POTEET]

chaya, 12 inches in N Scale is an equivalent 22 inches in HO Scale and I have yet to encounter an HO Scale manufacturer whose 2-8-0 steam locomotives would not negotiate 22 inch radius curves.  I am sure that any N Scale manufacturer will design their 2-8-0 steam locomotives to operate on 12 inch radius curves.

As for N Scale Code 55 rail, this appears to be a subject of some interest lately.  The consensus seems to be that Micro Engineering Code 55 is a little bit on the fragile side - something which I personally have not experienced in many years of its use - while the Atlas Code 55 has higher spikes and therefore a lower clearance for flanges.

Switches are the major problem if using Code 55; Micro Engineering has one; Atlas has three.  I make my own but if you really want a variety of switches you will need to look at the switch kits from BK Enterprises, a bit pricey, perhaps, but absolutely beautiful. 

[Dave Vollmer]

I've followed the Chili Line myself from Santa Fe to Taos Jct.

I'm headed out that way next year.  I'm Air Force and I'm expecting orders to Kirtland AFB next year.

[chaya]

That sounds like a really neat concept for a layout.  I have a soft spot for narrow gauge, especially the former D&RG Chili Line.

I would use Code 55 simply because it will help convey the lighter construction of a shortline.  Either the Athearn (former MDC) or Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0s should be fine 12" radius curves and Atlas Code 55 track.

I can hardly wait to get started.  I've followed the old Chile Line out of Santa Fe on satellite, by car, and partly on foot.  (I even dragged home some little rusted pieces of it).  I've done the same thing with the New Mexico Central.  On my layout the NMC bought the Chile Line from the D&RG and made a new route, so it became successful and was converted to standard gauge.  It will be fun to design logos and colors for the NMC diesels.

Thanks for the info, Dave.  I had no clue that there were Athearn and Bachmann Spectrum N-scale locos out there.  They'll look great on my Chile Line! 

I really do want to use C55 track.  I was worried because I saw people complaining about switches not working or ballast interfering with wheels.

Really nice photo, Dave. 

[Dave Vollmer]

Speaking of photos, here's one of my favorites:

A K4s leads an express train across Jack's Run in a classic PRR scene.  By the looks of that near-empty coal bunker, the next stop is the coaling wharf at Denholm.

[Dave Vollmer]

Cristi,

That sounds like a really neat concept for a layout.  I have a soft spot for narrow gauge, especially the former D&RG Chili Line.

I would use Code 55 simply because it will help convey the lighter construction of a shortline.  Either the Athearn (former MDC) or Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0s should be fine 12" radius curves and Atlas Code 55 track.

We're all anxious to see photos!

[chaya]

I had an N-scale switching layout that I'm taking apart right now after a move to a new house.  I've planned a new layout with two levels in a space of 6x13'.  The top level will show ATSF from Santa Fe to Socorro, and the Chile Line--bought from the D&RG by New Mexico Central and made into a successful line with a partly new route--from Santa Fe to Tierra Amarilla.  The bottom level will be the Great Northern route from Seattle (or Tacoma) to Wenatchee.  Small trains will exit one level and enter the other on a removable "bridge."  The year is 1969.

In this new little world, the New Mexico Central didn't fail.  Instead, it was a successful railroad that survived into the diesel era.  Also, the ATSF jumped at the chance to acquire GN, NP, and SP&S in the late 60's.  (In the real world, ATSF turned down the opportunity).  So any of this motive power may be found on the layout, not yet painted into a merger scheme.  (The former Chile Line will run only NMC motive power).  I've planned industries for the railroad that really existed and will be copying most of them from photographs.  I've lived in both places, which gives me a handle on scenery, atmosphere, and so on.

Right now I'm just reading and listening and asking lots of questions to help me make my plans and buying things here and there when I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to find them again, like 73-ft turntables.  (Also because if you buy things over a long time it hurts less). 

Right now, my burning question is this:  my Chile Line will have 12" curves.  Will a 2-8-0 work okay on these, or should I stick with something more like a 4-6-0?  The layout will be diesel, but I thought a steam engine for a tourist line with some rickety, old, renovated passenger cars would be nice.  The ATSF line will have 15" min. curves, and the GN will have 18" minimum. 

I'm also trying to figure out if I really want to use C55 track, or if that is just asking for trouble.

Can't get started until we put in a new, better insulated window in the train room, since it's a big one.  (Which I'll promptly cover up with backdrop!)  So no pictures yet.  For now, I'm just working on details, structures, and trees.

This is a great thread.  Love seeing what people are doing.

Cristi

 

[nscaler711]

i saved as much of it as i could......one problem is is that the shell shattered on impact...........motors i have kept as well as the lighting system trucks broke on impact.......although i had to fix them three times before......the incident

 

1000 posts YEAH