The "N" Crowd

[pcarrell]

Well, as many of you know, I had to tear down the last layout so we could move.  Now we're in the new place and the boxes are mostly unpacked.

This morning the train room looked like this:

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

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/Picture031.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/Picture033.jpg

Lots of fun if you're into guitars, but not much for trains.

I took two hours this morning and changed all that though.

I built the first of a whole lot of benchwork.  I've got a long way to go, but I had to get more wood for some cross braces and such.  Here it is now:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Autumns%20Ridge/Picture006.jpg

My road will be a freelanced road based on the Belfast & Moosehead Lake RR called the Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Company. I've done a lot of studying of this road and my grandfather was even a conductor on it.

I've posted my plan a couple times, but here it is.

I'll have a port scene and an interchange in the rolling countryside, with a few towns between. The B&ML  had 33 miles of track, so using that as a base model works for my 10.5 x 15 room. I can wrap three walls and have a peninsula so I end up with a walk in plan. I'm planning on two sceniced decks with staging under the bottom one.

I've got the staging deck pretty well designed, though I'm not married to it.  Here it is: 

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-1R1Keeper-1.jpg

Here's the bottom sceniced deck that shows the interchange area:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-2Keeper-1.jpg

And here's the upper deck with the port. The helix rises higher then it really needs to so thet the run into Autumns Ridge (the port) is downhill.  In the port area is a car float and scales.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-3Keeper.jpg

And check this!  I didn't even realize how good I was!  At some point in the past I, knowing I would be building another RR, tucked away a large stash of 1x2's, 1x4's, 2x4's, and 2x6's in the top of my old garage.  I went back there today and found them.  I now have enough wood to finish the lower deck and get a good start on the upper!  And it cost me exactly NOTHING!

Man, I treat myself pretty well, ha, ha!

Well, time to go build something!

Later!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for starting this thread.  Houses on this island are not noted for large rooms, and this one is no exception.  My layout room is only 10 feet long by 7 1/2 feet wide.  It took some real work to design a layout to fit in it.  The room also hosts my collection of 1/25 scale cars and trucks.  What I designed is an out and back switching layout that runs around three walls.  There's an 8 track yard at one end that leads to a rural area.  That then leads to a town with a respectable sized industrial district.  It's all one train operation, so it is actually simply run from one powerpack.  Thank goodness for N scale.  I don't think I could ever find room in this house for a workable HO scale layout.

[trainfreek92]

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

[n2mopac]

Here is one more pic from my new layout. This was the true beginningn of the layout. It is a scratchbuilt yard tower and office from North Yard in Saginaw, TX.

Ron

[oleirish]

My little "N" scale layout, just starting.Its not much yet!!

 

JIM

[MisterBeasley]

From an old HO guy:  Yeah, N-scale rocks.  If I were starting again, even at my age (59) I'd go N.  On the other hand, I love my HO's, too, and if I still had the Lionels from my childhood I'd love them too.  Once they get the sound decoders and speakers down to N-scale, that's the gauge that will rule the world.  Excellent work, all of you.

[n2mopac]

Ok, here's my stuff so far. Bear in mind I am NOT a photographer, nor do I have great photo equipment. I recently started laying track. I began with the main body of my central yard, BNSF's North Yard in Saginaw, TX. Here is a pic looking SE across that yard toward downtown Fort Worth.

The second shot is one of BNSF's and UP's bridges across the Trinity River between North Yard and downtown FtW. The foreground bridge is built from a Plastruct kit--so for all practical purposes it is scratch built. The far bridge is a Kato Unitrack brigde bashed for my purpose here.

Ron

 

[spidge]

Very good, I look foreward to some Normal discussions.

Here is a question almost nobody respons to, but hopefully some here may have a link or a clue of some sort.

I would like sound for my Concor GS4 the little woman gave me for christmas last year. What combination of board and speaker would be recomended. Unless there are some special challenges I feel comfortable doing the install myself.

Has anyone done a sound install on an N scale steamer? Do you have pics? How does it sound?

[BMRR]

Dave, starting this thread was a great idea. Now us "N" people have some where to hang out.

Stan.

[Super Chief Rules]

    N 55 (at least the atlas stuff) has worked fine for us.  The only problem we have is when we use some of dad's stuff that he has had since before i was born (18+ years).  And we simply replace the trucks and they work. 
I like the idea of an 'N only' forum, as stated, it is for us Normal people.  I hadn't heard that one before and I like it.......

Well my dad and I have all of our benchwork DONE!!!  I will take pictures as soon as i clean it up and make it presentable. 

And I love Kato stuff as well.  Last year i saved up and bought the Super Chief set, and it runs lke a dream.  I am in the process of superdetailing the locomotives as per an MR article awhile back. 

Love the thread lets keep it up!!!

[Nataraj]

this is great!!! I just switched over from HO, and could learn a lot with this thread. BTW, Just got the kato superliner sets A and B and a P42 phase 5!!!! YAY!

How about a review!? I've been wanting to get a set of those ever since I switched to N scale, but I've never really seen how they look or run. If you could give just a quick little review that would be great.

Sure thing!!

Let me first say, you will NOT be dissapointed! These are great cars. The detail is very nice, and the cars are RTR out of the box. I was amazed a the quality. The magneting coupler pins can be attached if needed for automatic uncoupling. Make sure they are pins are high enough, they WILL catch on turnouts and crossings (ie- 90 degree crossing) The couplers are  mounted on trucks, and have metal  wheels. VERY free rolling. Can be lighted from the inside. 5 out of 5. ( Can there be a 6 out of 5?? )

TheP42, again, is true kato quality and is a smmmoooooooth runner. I got mine used, w/ a decoder for $65 including shipping of ebay. The engine comes with working ditchlights, but are lightd through the same LED as the headlight. Not sure if it is the most recent run, but it is phase 5. You will love it. The detail is fantastic. 5 out of 5.

One p42 can esily pull sets A, B, and C together, but you may like the look of mltiple locos on that long of a train.

BTW, kato just announced KOBO N scale p42's with everything installed and DCC, but it is over $100. 

Let me know if you want me to tell you sny specifics about the models. Hope this helps!

[roadeater]

The Atlas Code 55 stuff looks great.  I was worried that once I ballasted it I would get ballst on the inside of the rails that would derail equipment.  Have you had any issues, or is it as reliable as the Code 80 stuff?

I haven't had a problem since ballasting, but I am running the low profile flanges on all my rolling stock.  I did have to regauge the wheelsets on all my locos to the wide side of standard to get them to run smoothly through the code 55 turnouts.  This makes them a little rough through that Peco single slip though.

-Tim

[RR Redneck]

Nice job on that trackwork.

[pcarrell]

That's going to be a very rightious rendition of the prototype!

And Scott, nice to see you buddy!  That DD40X is quite impressive!

[TrainFreak409]

Howdy fellow N scalers!

I haven't begun to build my layout yet...Need to make a new plan for a removable layout I can place on top of our billiards table. But that shouldn't be too hard.

But I can still share a few pictures of some of my favorite pieces of equipment I have accumulated.

SB Locomotives - Project Steasel
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/TrainFreak409/Model%20Railroading/SteaselTempTender003R.jpg

Con-Cor - CSX Veranda Turbine
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/TrainFreak409/Model%20Railroading/CSXTurbine003.jpg

Bachmann - PRR DD40X
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/TrainFreak409/Model%20Railroading/DD40AX002.jpg

And I have a shot of my Atlas C630 and SD60M double heading on my DeLuxe Innovations RoadRailers; the pictures was taken on the Sykesville & Patapsco's Model Railroading Club N scale layout.
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i264/TrainFreak409/Model%20Railroading/RoadRailerTrains003.jpg

[Dave Vollmer]

Just finished a "fun" N scale project...  I added PRR Trainphone antennas to my Kato E8.  I used Gold Medal Models' Trainphone stanchions and .015" wire.  I used extra-thick gap-filling CA glue.  Turns out Poly Scale Mineral Red is a close match to Kato's interpretation of PRR Tuscan.

Here's the model straight from the box and onto my layout (I did have to add a drop-in decoder, though):

Here's the prototype:

[img=http://thumb0.webshots.net/s/thumb1/6/60/81/73866081qfPkTs_th.jpg]

Here's my version.  Still needs some very light weathering:

 

[CSXFan]

this is great!!! I just switched over from HO, and could learn a lot with this thread. BTW, Just got the kato superliner sets A and B and a P42 phase 5!!!! YAY!

How about a review!? I've been wanting to get a set of those ever since I switched to N scale, but I've never really seen how they look or run. If you could give just a quick little review that would be great.

[pcarrell]

You do have to be careful when you ballast the Atlas code 55 but as long as your rolling stock is RP25 compliant you should be fine.

[Dave Vollmer]

The Atlas Code 55 stuff looks great.  I was worried that once I ballasted it I would get ballst on the inside of the rails that would derail equipment.  Have you had any issues, or is it as reliable as the Code 80 stuff?

[roadeater]

Roadeater, great scenery!  I really like the rockwork.

Thanks Dave!  I must say that it was your previous incarnation of the PRR that was my inspiration for building this layout.  Your scenery is superb and photography skills are excellent!  I'll also weigh in on the the code 55: I love it!  I found it pretty easy to work with and my track work has been supremely reliable with it.  The only problem I had was with an Atlas 11 degree crossing, my VO-1000 was guarenteed to stall on those large plastic frogs every time - three sets of wheels would lose contact with the rails.  I replaced it with a Peco single slip with powered frogs and those operation problems are history, now I'm just left with the visual mismatch of the Peco track vs. the Atlas track (some pics below).

Atlas code 55 before I ballasted:


Atlas 11 degree crossing:


Peco code 55 single slip:


-Tim

[MAbruce]

I've been back in N-scale for a few years, but have been idle over the past year or so.  Lack of a hobby budget, kids, and other projects around the house has taken most of my focus off model railroading.  I occasionally run trains on my 7'x11' L-shaped layout (loosely based on the 'Atlantic Long haul' Atlas plan).  I also used to have pictures up on the Rail Images site, but took them down a while back as I intended to take new ones at some point.

 

Perhaps this winter I can get back on track.

[Wulfblat]

I am in the very early stages of construction of my N scale layout, which has to share its footprint with bookshelves, TV/video components, and a ferret cage. As a result, the layout is a bookshelf design, hugging the walls some 50 inches above the floor. The prototype is the UP in southeastern Oregon in 1945, but there is a fare number of freelance ideas in the design.

The bench work is now completed, and backdrop painted the initial white to blue gradient, and this weekend I'll add the lighting (it is just too dark in the corners to continue work).

Here's the plan:


You can see some photos and read additional information about the layout here:
http://www.whiteweasel.net/leonard/rail/index.html

[Anonymous]

You guys know I will be in on this one!! I am going to start laying track this weekend!! I will post pics when I can... Also RR redneck what drum corps is your avatar. Almost looks like the scouts but I cant tell. or is it an HS Marching Band? Also Check out my layout here!! http://public.fotki.com/curtw944/my_n_scale_layout/ and here is the new track plan,

Curt

[n2mopac]

I think this thread is a great idea. I havn't participated in the other chat threads much because they are too broad and not very interesting to me, but this idea has promise.

You can see the stats on my new under construction layout below. This is my second layout, bothe in N scale. The first was a 4x4 MoPac town in west central MO where I grew up based in 1983, the year of merger with UP. It was great fun for about 5 years and a great learning experience.

Ron

[slotracer]

Starting co aquire engines and cars right now.  We have a small un sceniced, stow away layout without scenery just to run stuff for the time being. Eventually going to build an unattached garage so the current garage can be converted to a layout room (19x21).

Eventual "plan" is a semi fictional-semi prototypical layout loosely based on the EL from Buffalo to the Corning area as if the old DL&W main had been used instead of the old Erie in that lane.  Circa 1970 about....and to add some additional Variety, D&H runs a run through train a day each way from Mpontral/Boston/Mechanicsville to NW at Bufflalo....AND...the LV main between Sayre and Buffalo became so bad that an agreement was reached for them to run over the EL to Bufflao putting several through LV frieghts a day over the line.

With the availability of code 55 track and the really nice engines and cars now especially in EL and LV paint it is a great time to get back in.  My wife is expressed interest in scenery and architecture so this may end up being soemthing we share together which would work out great.

 

[RR Redneck]

Wow, what a great response so far!

Cox 47, can't wait to see construction pictures.

Peter, we need some pictures!  12x13 is an awesome space for N scale; I just posted a 10x12 PRR trackplan on another thread you may like.

Nataraj, nothin' runs like a Kato!

Roadeater, great scenery!  I really like the rockwork.

Darrell, you have a serious eye for detail.  Good stuff.  Tim's right; that's hardly "slapped together."

Tim, how's that Code 55 working out for you?  I considered it for a while, but wasn't sure my tracklaying skills were up to the task.

Denny, great sites and great layouts!  The SP is going to be a sight to see when you're done.

Eriediamond, a fellow resident of NC!  I'm here through 2008 before the Air Force moves me to New Mexico (or at least that's the current plan).  Four tours in Vietnam, wow...  Thanks for your service!  One tour in Iraq was plenty for me!

Here's a vanity shot of yours truly demonstrating what I think is N scale's main advantage...  portability!

THIS IS WHY I LOVE N SCALE!!!!!!! A crap load of action in a small corners sized space. Try gettin the with HO scale.

[pcarrell]

Peter, we need some pictures!

Dave (or anyone else), just one dumb question... when posting pics to the forum, do the photos have to have their own storage area or can you post to the forum?  I don't have a webserver so no place to store my photos (web accessable anyway).
Peter

MRR has posted instructions on just that issue here: http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/899776/ShowPost.aspx

You do have to upload the pictures to an online storage site like photobucket.  That's the one I use and it's real easy (and free!).  Here's the site: http://s83.photobucket.com/ .  There's some other sites that do this too, like railimages and webshots, but I like photobucket better myself.

[modelalaska]

Peter, we need some pictures!

Dave (or anyone else), just one dumb question... when posting pics to the forum, do the photos have to have their own storage area or can you post to the forum?  I don't have a webserver so no place to store my photos (web accessable anyway).
Peter

[pcarrell]

For starters, I'd love to see more of Phillip's Code 55 track and his locomotive projects!

Me?  I'm humbled!

Naw, you don't need any more of that garbage!

Right now there's not much to show.  We just moved a few weeks ago and I'm just beginning to see the end of the boxes.  I did hang lights last weekend though.

The new train room is up from the old 9x9 foot room to a new 10.5x15 room.  Not much to see right now though......

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Picture031.jpg

The trains will share the room with my other hobby......

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Picture033.jpg

As for projects, I have a few in the works, but the move kinda put the brakes on them.  These are a couple that have a long way to go, but they're ruffed in....

An inspection loco.....(sorry, I was playing with photo editing software)

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/N%20Scale%20Trains/Projects/acz.jpg

And an 1880's era camelback......

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/N%20Scale%20Trains/Projects/adc.jpg

Lottsa work to be done there!  I've got a couple more projects in the works, but nothing that's worth showing.

I've got a track plan for the new room.  It's a double decker with staging under that.  It's basically a class 1 RR interchange with a small shortline, and then the shortline is the rest of the layout.  It's set in 1930's mid coast Maine and the shortline runs from the country interchange to the shoreline (Ocean) docks in the town of Autumns Ridge, where the RR gets it's name, the Autumns Ridge Railway & Navigation Co.  Here's the staging level (I'll probably rework this to gain more storage, but at least it's on paper).

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-1R1Keeper-1.jpg

Here's the bottom sceniced level with the interchange......

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-2Keeper-1.jpg

And Here's the upper deck as it runs down to the docks.  The helix rises a bit higher then the rest of the deck so that trains run downhill to the shoreline.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Track%20Plans/My%20Plan/Blank3004-3Keeper.jpg

Well, that's about it for now.  I'll have more to contribute in the future.

I like this idea though.  There's so many modelers in Horribly Oversized scale that we Normal people need to stick together!

[Dave Vollmer]

Wow, what a great response so far!

Cox 47, can't wait to see construction pictures.

Peter, we need some pictures!  12x13 is an awesome space for N scale; I just posted a 10x12 PRR trackplan on another thread you may like.

Nataraj, nothin' runs like a Kato!

Roadeater, great scenery!  I really like the rockwork.

Darrell, you have a serious eye for detail.  Good stuff.  Tim's right; that's hardly "slapped together."

Tim, how's that Code 55 working out for you?  I considered it for a while, but wasn't sure my tracklaying skills were up to the task.

Denny, great sites and great layouts!  The SP is going to be a sight to see when you're done.

Eriediamond, a fellow resident of NC!  I'm here through 2008 before the Air Force moves me to New Mexico (or at least that's the current plan).  Four tours in Vietnam, wow...  Thanks for your service!  One tour in Iraq was plenty for me!

Here's a vanity shot of yours truly demonstrating what I think is N scale's main advantage...  portability!