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The "N" Crowd Locked

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  • Member since
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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 8:45 AM
 curtw_944 wrote:

One frustration I am running into in N-scale is finding Steam era cars!!

They are in short supply.

Anyone have a line on some gondallas as well as 50 ton ore cars, and tank cars or any steam era cars for that mater?

If I remember right, Atlas has some gons.

Please HELP, Ahhhhh..... I am pulling my hair out.

Don't do that, you'll look like Uncle Fester from the Adams Family!

I have found some older roundhouse kits for my box cars and stock cars.

Got a bunch of those myself.

But I will need a couple reefers as well as some sort of ore cars.

Atlas used to have some reefers.

I am also looking for some overton cars and am looking at the athern sets, any one have any experiance with those cars???

I have a bunch of the overtons and the 50 footers too.  They're all great, though I do swap out the trucks on everything for Microtrains trucks with low profiles.

Hope this helps!

Philip
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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 8:24 AM

 Otto Ray Sing wrote:
I really like RTS, and use it all of the time.  I do have two other programs but they take more work.  With RTS one can simply just start laying track.

Sign - Ditto [#ditto]

The atlas program isn't as powerful, but it's a lot easier.

Scott, to give you an idea of what the atlas program can do, might I offer you a tour of some of the layouts that I've had the pleasure of helping people design with it. 

http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/

Philip
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:13 PM
I really like RTS, and use it all of the time.  I do have two other programs but they take more work.  With RTS one can simply just start laying track.
  • Member since
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  • From: Lewes, DE
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Posted by bc@thecove on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 8:34 PM

Free track planning software: RTS from www.atlasrr.com or XtrkCad from www.Sillub.com.

There are many other threads on this subject on this and on the Atlas forum

Bob Casey

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  • From: Dallas, GA
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Posted by TrainFreak409 on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 8:17 PM

I need to get started designing on my new layout as well. It's probably going to be about three feet by six or seven...And if I decide to go wild with the dimensions...Four by Eight.

I need to design a track plan...Anyone got any recommendations for free track planning software?

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 6:04 PM

One frustration I am running into in N-scale is finding Steam era cars!! Anyone have a line on some gondallas as well as 50 ton ore cars, and tank cars or any steam era cars for that mater? Please HELP, Ahhhhh..... I am pulling my hair out. I have found some older roundhouse kits for my box cars and stock cars. But I will need a couple reefers as well as some sort of ore cars. I am currently going to be using some atlas 70 ton ore cars ( I have 3). I am also looking for some overton cars and am looking at the athern sets, any one have any experiance with those cars???

Curt

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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 11:04 AM
Actually, I'm not too fond of the benchwork stage, or wiring for that matter.  I like scenery and trackwork, and especially loco's and rolling stock.  Oh well, I'll be there soon enough I guess.
Philip
  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 2,742 posts
Posted by Dave Vollmer on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:45 AM
Ahh, yes...  The benchwork stage.  How like a clean, new canvas, when all is possible...

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: San Jose, CA
  • 27 posts
Posted by roadeater on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:36 AM
 pcarrell wrote:
Well, you guys have been wondering how far I got on the benchwork. At this point it's only roughed in, but the footprint is there and thats what I wanted to establish up front.

Got a long way to go, that's for sure! But the basics are there.

A good start!  I miss the construction phase of my layout.  I'm looking forward to getting started on my next layout when I take over my spare room, if I could just come up with a track plan.

-Tim


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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:29 AM

Glad you're feeling better Curt.

Well, you guys have been wondering how far I got on the benchwork. At this point it's only roughed in, but the footprint is there and thats what I wanted to establish up front.

Here's a view you've already seen. The door is to the left and you can see the new section starting on the right.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/Picture005-1.jpg

And this is all new in front of the windows which will eventually be covered. I'm standing in the doorway for this pic and the next.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/Picture004.jpg

And after this get shured up the 22 inch (pretty good for N scale) helix will go.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/Picture001.jpg

Got a long way to go, that's for sure! But the basics are there.

Philip
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 10:21 AM

I love being sick!!! I havent had a chance to get any work done all weekend!! Fever broke on Late thursday night and I have been congested all weekend. It is finnaly breaking up and I am starting to be able to talk again! I have found some 36' wood box cars, A couple of 36' stock cars, And some Atlas ore cars That I am going to be using. The time period is the early 1900's through 1930's. Though there are going to be days where I will have some 50's delevery trucks. Anyway this is a Colorado mountian mining camp/ town. Will get pics up later when I get work started.

Curt

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Fredericksburg, VA
  • 692 posts
Posted by Bill54 on Monday, November 27, 2006 2:28 PM

I’m just starting to change from HO to N scale.  I want to run longer trains and have a rolling landscape without taking up all my available space.  I saw Dave Vollmer’s layout a few months ago and it was my inspiration to make the change. 

I’m glad to see an N scale thread started.  It couldn’t have come at a better time. 

Bill

As my Mom always says...Where there's a will there's a way!
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Blair, Nebraska
  • 205 posts
Posted by Boiler-man on Monday, November 27, 2006 12:41 PM

I model in "N", have done so since about 1972 and currently have packed up all of my equipment and am in the process of taking the bench work apart for a move while waiting for the new house to close.

I think that a N-Scale section would be very good to add to this forum.

I do follow other forums as well as the N of this one.

Let's go with it?

Boilerman
  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Mass
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by trainfreek92 on Monday, November 27, 2006 12:33 PM
Thank you Dave! Im doing pretty good, I had my appendix out on wensday. cant weight to get some trains for christmas.Wink [;)]
Running New England trains on The Maple Lead & Pine Tree Central RR from the late 50's to the early 80's in N scale
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  • From: Westcentral Pennsylvania (Johnstown)
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Posted by tgindy on Sunday, November 26, 2006 10:48 PM
I thought it might be nice to add a gem of an N Scale weblink most N Scale folks don't know about.

Mississippi Valley N Scalers...
http://mvns.railfan.net/home.html

Start with over fifty links in the Photo Gallery, then go download at the DCC Manuals, then go to...

Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956

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  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
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Posted by Dave Vollmer on Sunday, November 26, 2006 6:55 PM
The next project, when time permits, is to replace one of my Peco #8 turnouts.  After I was finished ballasting, I found it didn't close properly for the diverging route.  In fiddling with it I ended up removing the centering spring (oops!) and found that it doesn't go back in very easily when the turnout is still in place.  So, one of these days I'm going to have to unsolder it and replace it.  Not fun.  Fortunately it ended up "stuck" while perfectly aligned for the main!

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

  • Member since
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  • From: Chateau-Richer, QC (CANADA)
  • 833 posts
Posted by chateauricher on Saturday, November 25, 2006 2:10 AM

Dave Vollmer:  Sorry for not getting back to you sooner; but I don't get onto the forums every day.  As for the Atlas code 55, since I've only laid about 4 pieces of flextrack and 2 turnouts so far, I can only comment on the flextrack's ease of installation, not on its reliability.  So far, I've had no problems laying it with latex caulk onto cork roadbed.  While power feeders have been soldered to the track, I have not yet wired them to a bus and power source yet.  I haven't actually run any trains yet.

 

Timothy The gods must love stupid people; they sure made a lot. The only insanity I suffer from is yours. Some people are so stupid, only surgery can get an idea in their heads.
IslandView Railroads On our trains, the service is surpassed only by the view !
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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, November 24, 2006 11:21 PM
 NS2591 wrote:
 pcarrell wrote:

 dekruif wrote:
I'll pipe in. I have a N scale layout that is 18" X 42". I still like HO scale though. -dekruif

Oh man!  I don't know if we can allow bi-scalers in here!  Especially ones that lean the other way! Tongue [:P]


Does that mean I can't post in here? I model in N scale and I havn't bought anything in HO lately, My HO layout was torn down and an N scale went up in Its place. That aside Good idea Dave, I keep trying to think of something like this but nothing happens....Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]Sign - With Stupid [#wstupid]

Jay, you're in.  Heck, you don't even have an HO layout anymore, just N.  You're definately in!

I just couldn't let that comment of dekruif's go.  That's like walking into a hard core Harley bar and announcing that you think Honda's are great!

Philip
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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, November 24, 2006 11:17 PM
 TrainFreak409 wrote:
I have an old issue of Model Railroader where someone put a loop of N scale track around their half-bath. The toilet was the "Engineer's Seat."

PC, maybe you can set up something for the construction workers. Laugh [(-D]

I remember that story!  It was a good RR if I remember right.

And the construction workers are on their own!

Philip
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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, November 24, 2006 11:14 PM

 dekruif wrote:
pcarrell I model N scale, but paint engines in HO scale.

OK, you're in! Clown [:o)]

Philip
  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: CN Flint Sub(Eastern Michigan)
  • 507 posts
Posted by NS2591 on Friday, November 24, 2006 11:09 PM
 pcarrell wrote:

 dekruif wrote:
I'll pipe in. I have a N scale layout that is 18" X 42". I still like HO scale though. -dekruif

Oh man!  I don't know if we can allow bi-scalers in here!  Especially ones that lean the other way! Tongue [:P]


Does that mean I can't post in here? I model in N scale and I havn't bought anything in HO lately, My HO layout was torn down and an N scale went up in Its place. That aside Good idea Dave, I keep trying to think of something like this but nothing happens....Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]Sign - With Stupid [#wstupid]
Jay Norfolk Southern Forever!!
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Dallas, GA
  • 2,643 posts
Posted by TrainFreak409 on Friday, November 24, 2006 11:03 PM
 pcarrell wrote:

 bnsfncoal wrote:
pcarrell, Brand new house, brand new train room!!! Congratulations, But after looking at that second picture why did you put the bathroom across the street???!!!! LOL Looks great Guy

Yeah, thats kind of the big joke around here. Big Smile [:D]  They're still building around here, so it'll be a while before those move.  At least it's not a nice warm August day though.  Those things can get kind of ripe!

I have an old issue of Model Railroader where someone put a loop of N scale track around their half-bath. The toilet was the "Engineer's Seat."

PC, maybe you can set up something for the construction workers. Laugh [(-D]

Scott - Dispatcher, Norfolk Southern

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Posted by SOU Fan on Friday, November 24, 2006 11:01 PM
pcarrell
I model N scale, but paint engines in HO scale.
  • Member since
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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, November 24, 2006 10:30 PM

 dekruif wrote:
I'll pipe in. I have a N scale layout that is 18" X 42". I still like HO scale though. -dekruif

Oh man!  I don't know if we can allow bi-scalers in here!  Especially ones that lean the other way! Tongue [:P]

Philip
  • Member since
    September 2005
  • 1,377 posts
Posted by SOU Fan on Friday, November 24, 2006 10:20 PM
I'll pipe in. I have a N scale layout that is 18" X 42". I still like HO scale though.

-dekruif
  • Member since
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  • From: In the State of insanity!
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Posted by pcarrell on Friday, November 24, 2006 9:54 PM

 bnsfncoal wrote:
pcarrell, Brand new house, brand new train room!!! Congratulations, But after looking at that second picture why did you put the bathroom across the street???!!!! LOL Looks great Guy

Yeah, thats kind of the big joke around here. Big Smile [:D]  They're still building around here, so it'll be a while before those move.  At least it's not a nice warm August day though.  Those things can get kind of ripe!

 

Well, I added some more bracing and now it's pretty solid.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/Picture003.jpg

Tomorrow is another day!

Philip
  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Coon Rapids, MN
  • 123 posts
Posted by bnsfncoal on Friday, November 24, 2006 8:07 PM
pcarrell,
Brand new house, brand new train room!!! Congratulations, But after looking at that second picture why did you put the bathroom across the street???!!!! LOL
Looks great
Guy
Unlike my wife...I like my diamonds black!!!!
  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: memphis
  • 12 posts
Posted by bill e on Friday, November 24, 2006 7:37 PM

Please count me N.  I've been back in the hobby a little over a year now.  I had HO as a young teen, then other interests must have taken over.  I'm 42 now.  The N scale Mohawk division article in an issue from '93 that I ran across at a library sale resparked my interest in model railroading.  It looked like something I might could do with my limited space.  Right now I have a 4x8 double loop with several sidings.  It sits on 3 keyboard stands.  There is a hollow core interior door screwed underneath the sacred sheet.  I started playing around with trackplans on the door and then decided I had room for a 4x8.  Now I'm starting to figure out what furniture can be moved or discarded to make room for more railroad!

 There are some great photos on here.  Dave V., I've long admired your work.   

Bill Eaker
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Elmwood Park, NJ
  • 2,385 posts
Posted by trainfan1221 on Friday, November 24, 2006 6:26 PM
Just saw this post.  Seems good to me, being an n scaler.  I don't have any way to post pix, but it's good to see a thread for us.
  • Member since
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  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • 2,742 posts
Posted by Dave Vollmer on Friday, November 24, 2006 6:08 PM

 trainfreek92 wrote:
Great work guys! hopefully ill get back to some trains soon after I recover from my surgery

Surgery?  Everything OK?  Get well soon!

Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.

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