Go easy on me fellas......I don't post much but this is a really good thread. My dad got me into N scale when I was a little kid, I guess around 7 or 8 years old. I am 42 now and I still love my N scale!! I still have some of the trains my dad bought for me from the early 70's. I usually put up the layout for the holidays every year and keep it going until early spring. That's why I love N scale. It stores easy. I have a variety of power, everything from steam to SD-45's. I model mostly local RR's from my area. Pennsy, Reading, and Lehigh Valley, NYC, Erie, and some B&O.
Here is a pic......
or 2....
If a 4x8 is all the space you have, forget that Horribly Oversize & convert to Normal scale!
You could follow the same trackplan, with curves of the same diameter, just not as wide, unless you want to run doubletrack on the old HO ROW. You may also be able to salvage the power supply till/unless you want to run DCC.
All of the scenery techniques will still apply in N scale. The trees don't have to be so large. THere may be some structures & other items not available in N scale yet.
Something to consider is Z scale. Check out the new MTL product line. You may want to have a Zscale item when somebody says N is "too small". A 4x8 could be quite an empire in Z!BTW you may have seen the Hallmark Lionel American Freedom Train ornaments this year. They are very close to Z scale!
STOCKCAR wrote:I'm looking for a site for a Pennsy layout on a door. I know about Dave Vollmer's great layout, which I really enjoy, but I'm also trying to find this other layout. The only thing I remember is that the coal mine is flipped from where Dave's mine is located, but on the same end. Thanks for any help.
I'm looking for a site for a Pennsy layout on a door. I know about Dave Vollmer's great layout, which I really enjoy, but I'm also trying to find this other layout. The only thing I remember is that the coal mine is flipped from where Dave's mine is located, but on the same end.
Thanks for any help.
I seem to remember another door layout but not whose it was. Maybe if I give this a little BUMP to get it up to page 1 someone may jump in to help you out.
to the "N" Crowd.
Blue Flamer.
Hi Fluff,
In terms of track plan all I have is a visio that I have created and it's not yet complete and neither is the layout trackage.... It is a continuous run, double track main with a yard and interchanges via each main as well as numerous spurs to industry. I really just tacked track down and did what worked best operationally as I went. Nothing was ballasted until I was certain I would not be changing that portion of trackage. At this point I would say that 10% of it is complete in terms of permanent trackage. The rest is tacked and will remain so until I have made darn sure that's what I want to do.
I probably could have done a lot more planning but I have had great fun just flying by the seat of my pants so to speak...This doesn't work for many people of course and to each his own.
I can send the visio if you like. Just let me know.
Thanks,
Rob
nscale1969 wrote: Good to see a thread for us N scalers! I am currently working a completely freelanced layout in a 10 x 9 x 10 around the walls config. I seem to gravitate towards the pieces that made up the BN as well as the BN itself and thus have GN, CB&Q and BN engines. I also have some modern NS power. All of my trackwork is Atlas c55 as it looks the most prototypical to me. Here is a shot of some of my progress...Hope the pic isn't too big.. Rob
Good to see a thread for us N scalers! I am currently working a completely freelanced layout in a 10 x 9 x 10 around the walls config. I seem to gravitate towards the pieces that made up the BN as well as the BN itself and thus have GN, CB&Q and BN engines. I also have some modern NS power.
All of my trackwork is Atlas c55 as it looks the most prototypical to me. Here is a shot of some of my progress...Hope the pic isn't too big..
Kenfolk wrote: After 25 Years, that Caboose is in desparate need of some SERIOUS weathering. Dont'cha think??? " border="0" /> Blue Flamer. Uh...actually I'm modeling about 25 years ago...yeah, that's it.....That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
After 25 Years, that Caboose is in desparate need of some SERIOUS weathering. Dont'cha think??? " border="0" />
Uh...actually I'm modeling about 25 years ago...yeah, that's it.....
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
You've got me believing you Kenfolk. But then I really do believe that there is a, "STARGATE PROGRAM". Who could write stories like that. Huh!
nscale1969
You will get a lot of help here on the "N Crowd" and the MRR Forums in general. Enjoy and do not be afraid to ask any question. Someone should be able to help you out.
You know. Stargate SG1. Jack O'Neill. Step through a vertical pool of shimmering water and come out a couple of seconds later on the other side of the known Universe. You know? Don't you? It is real, isn't it?
B F
Thanks! I always appreciate a visit to my site. Nice to know that someone looks occasionally when you go to the trouble of posting it. Thanks again.
Ron
Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado.
Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy
Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings
Thanks for the welcome Ron. I took a gander at your site last night. Great work sir!
Welcome to the forum and the N crowd 1969. Make yourself at home. Hope you enjoy yourself.
That roadwork looks GREAT! Thanks for the info on the striping I will certainly be picking some up.
Kenfolk wrote:Here's a "new" old caboose my son & daughter-in-law found and got for me last summer! (I just got around to photographing it recently). It runs on my "commemorative" n-scale consist. Last summer was 25th anniversary of the World's Fair in Knoxville, and my wife & I were there in 1982. Last week I took some guests back to the site of the fair; Knoxville has reopened the "Sunsphere" and the view of the surrounding area is fantastic. The restored L & N railway station is nearby.
Here's a "new" old caboose my son & daughter-in-law found and got for me last summer! (I just got around to photographing it recently).
It runs on my "commemorative" n-scale consist.
Last summer was 25th anniversary of the World's Fair in Knoxville, and my wife & I were there in 1982. Last week I took some guests back to the site of the fair; Knoxville has reopened the "Sunsphere" and the view of the surrounding area is fantastic. The restored L & N railway station is nearby.
Kenfolk.
After 25 Years, that Caboose is in despirate need of some SERIOUS weathering. Dont'cha think??? A nice looking model though.
R. T. POTEET wrote:Is your layout too big? too small? or just-t-t-t-t right?
I think it's like closet space...you can never have enough. When I started my table top layout planning, the intent was to stick to something the same size as my table top...42x64. No matter what I did plan wise, it was a constant "if I had just a few more inches". So I decided to stretch it a bit...first to 42x66...then 42x72...then 42x76...still, if I just had a couple more inches....but I forced myself to stick to 42x76, and started construction. When my plan for an all foam base turned out to be insufficient, it was off to Lowe's for a hollow core door...when I got home and was getting out the tools to cut down the door to my 76" limit, my wife said "Why on earth are you going to cut it for 4"?"...so 42x80 it would be. At that size I could double span that bridge...add that extra siding...make my fiddle track double ended...but if I just had a few more inches...............................
The last week or so I've been tempted to blow it all up...go back to my 42x64 roots, scrap a lot of the planned scenery in favor of the biggest train parking yard I can fit in the center, and just watch trains go round and round.
Reality...an interesting concept with no successful applications, that should always be accompanied by a "Do not try this at home" warning.
Hundreds of years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be different because I did something so bafflingly crazy that my ruins become a tourist attraction.
"Oooh...ahhhh...that's how this all starts...but then there's running...and screaming..."
stebbycentral wrote: R. T. POTEET wrote:Is your layout too big? too small? or just-t-t-t-t right?My theory is that you can maintain a large layout if you keep it a simple layout. Trade complexity for scenery. Keep the number of track and switches to a reasonable minimum to minimize potential points of failure. Just because you have the space for an additional industrial spur, do you really NEED an additional industrial spur?Of course the reason my theory is still a theory is that I have yet to find a spot big enought to put it to the test....
My theory is that you can maintain a large layout if you keep it a simple layout. Trade complexity for scenery. Keep the number of track and switches to a reasonable minimum to minimize potential points of failure. Just because you have the space for an additional industrial spur, do you really NEED an additional industrial spur?
Of course the reason my theory is still a theory is that I have yet to find a spot big enought to put it to the test....
I think the answer is a definate yes! No layout is ever big enough, and everyone I know at times wishes he has more space in this yard or that staging or the other industry. On the other hand, when track cleaning or dusting I think I miss my old 4 x 4 laout. But overall, I am very happy with how my layout operates and shows off trains--it is a lot of fun.
R. T. POTEET wrote:Here I go again . . .A couple of years back someone announced body shell kits for GE less-than-100 ton (44 ton; 70 ton . . . etc) industrial switchers; I saw this in either nsr horizons or N SIGHTS - I can't research this at this particular time because a reorganization project has put the great majority of my back issues into storage and I won't be able to get to them for awhile yet.Anybody heard anything about these turkeys? Does anyone know of any GE less-than-100 ton industrial switchers?
The only little switchers I know about are the improved standard line units from Bachmann. After that, the search is on for a suitable motor/chassis options to power a critter. There are some Kato & Tomix mechanisma that will work. IIRC Trix may have a tiny critter in their European lineup.
I just finished the edge striping on the last road on my layout. I used Chartpak graphics tape for the stripes. Now I'm letting them get good and stuck before weathering the road surface.
This is the only view of the road you can see from the front of the layout.
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
From the far, far reaches of the wild, wild west I am: rtpoteet
RT,
From expierience, I can say that a 4x8 is too wide for me, 2x4 is just too small for my idea of operating in a roundy-round world. I have tried all of these configurations and ended up scavenging what was saveable and trashing the rest.
For the past few years, I have been fiddling with a 44 inch wide 11 foot long layout with a 60 inch long 44 inch wide kickout on one end. It has seen a a helix (now gone) and has gone from 11 inch minimum radius to 15 inch minimum radius on the main line, with 17, 19 and 21 inch 4 track curve on one side that funnels down to a wye on the other end with a town and yard in the middle. I've got lots of buildings built, the 4 track curve is glued down and fine tuned. None of the scenicking has been done yet. I'm just not satisfied with where it's going.
After reading your question, I was in there looking and figure that IF I can talk the MRS into emptying the closet and getting rid of a bunch of clothes and stuff, I could remove that closet and gain a bunch of space for a small amount of work. That would be a 11x14 room devoted to trains. Sticking to a 40 inch width, there would be about 7x10 space on the middle.
I can see the conversation now: Me... Honey I need more space. Her... what for? Me... I need to expand the layout so that those big steamers look right. Her... what have you got in mind? Me... get rid of those shelf units and the (in a very quiet, plaintive, begging voice) closet. Me... well it's Christmas and we could donate all of that stuff we don't use to charity. Her... HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!!!!! Me... mumbles about all of those shoes and purses that you never use. I have to think about this some more.
Bob
R. T. POTEET wrote:The question I am raising here is this: what, in your opinion, is a practical size for an N Scale model railroad. ......Is your layout too big? too small? or just-t-t-t-t right?
Good question, I think. But -- as always, the right answer is that there's no right answer. My current (not-started-'til-after-the-holidays) layout is in a 9x11 bedroom. There's a part of me that says I need two or three times that space to get the nice long runs with long trains that I'd like. (I'm thinking, say, of a Sherman Hill layout, with good grades and 50-car trains pulled by Challengers.) So that would be a perfect space for that.
But I don't have that space, so instead I've gone to my other first choice layout -- very urban, tight industrial switching. So now I'm looking at eight-car trains pulled by geeps, with lots of specialwork trackage for the switching interest, and, necessarily, lots and lots (and lots) of structures. For the "trackage" of the layout, 9x11 is about right. But I'm looking at a couple hundred structures here, which might take me a decade or more to complete. So maybe even that's too big.
And so the argument goes: bigger means better track to scenery ratios, but also just more stuff to build, maintain, etc. Smaller is better maintainability and "buildability" (?) but gets tighter and tighter on scenery. So it depends on what you want.
For me, right now, my 9x11 Springfield Terminal RR is perfect.
Blue Flamer wrote: Bubu. to The "N" Crowd. I do not recall another modeller on these forums from China. It looks as though you have an ambitious project ahead of you. If you run into problems, just ask. There are many fine modellers here that are always willing to help out with their expertise.A little off topic, but I have been learning a little about China from my baby sister, (Ha! Ha! She is in her late 50's). She went over to teach English earlier this year and she reports on her adventures and trips at www.jillibean.ca.Again, to The "N" Crowd and to all the MRR Forums.Blue Flamer.
Bubu.
to The "N" Crowd. I do not recall another modeller on these forums from China. It looks as though you have an ambitious project ahead of you. If you run into problems, just ask. There are many fine modellers here that are always willing to help out with their expertise.
A little off topic, but I have been learning a little about China from my baby sister, (Ha! Ha! She is in her late 50's). She went over to teach English earlier this year and she reports on her adventures and trips at www.jillibean.ca.
Again, to The "N" Crowd and to all the MRR Forums.
Thanks, Blue!
I have to say being a railroad modeler in China is not very easy because they have not enough space and enough budget for a permanent layout. As you know, China is a developing country and there is not a long history and railroad culture about the model railroad in China. All most all of railroad modelers come to be a REAL modeler in the last 2 or 3 years. I'm living in Hangzhou now, the most beautiful city in China, about 100 miles away from Shanghai. But I can't find a model railroad hobby shop in my city even Hangzhou is the top 10 biggest city in China. The only hobby shop which sells the Europe Model Railroad Products is located in Shanghai, but they have few in stock. So, I have to purchase all materials for my layout by Internet such as http://www.lokshop.de,/ http://www.modellbahn-kramm.com./ Bachmann is the only manufacturer which produces the China series HO scale locomotive & Rolling Stock. In fact I like the Bachmann Spectrum very much and I built a very small On30 Shay Layout 2 years ago but I have to say the quality of Bachmann China series is not very good. I lived in German in 1990s when I was an intern in Volkswagon. One day I went to the theater and this old Germany Movie lead me to the World of Model Railroad. The only word I can say to myself is: Yes! That was my dream in the rest of my life and I must to make it to come true. I want to build a Chinese theme layout at first but I can't find the N Scale China Locomotives, Rolling Stocks, Model buildings....and so on. And, I'm very familiar with German and I think that was the reason why I pick Germany as my subject. I moved to my new house 3 years ago and I'm very lucky that I can build a permanent layout in the loft with the support of my wife. Unfortunately I have to share the space with my son because he has his Tomy model railroad system. So, I decided to build a N scale layout. I can barely find any other modelers in China who can discuss about the layout construction, modeling skills and DCC Technology with me. The favorites of Many Chinese modelers I knew are purchasing the Bachmann Locomotives, taking pictures, posting the pictures on the forum... that's all. I have to purchase some model railroad books published by Kalmbach from the Amazon and visit trains.com forums for learning more skills. Thanks for you all and I will post any of my questions on this forum asking for your help!
mls1621 wrote: Welcome to the forum, Bubu.The track plan looks interesting and your bench work looks as if it could support the Forbidden City, very nice work.
Welcome to the forum, Bubu.
The track plan looks interesting and your bench work looks as if it could support the Forbidden City, very nice work.
HAHAHAHA!
Thanks, mls1621!
I have to try my best to make the benchwork as stable as I can because it is my first "big" layout. I do it step by step refer to the "Basic Model Railroad Benchwork" by Jeff Wilson and "How to build Model Railroad Benchwork" by Linn H. Westcott.
I'm now in trackwork and I'll post the progress pictures later.
Thanks again!
I'm sure I speak for others in this thread in saying we look forward to further progress pictures.
Wo! How many N Scale modelers here and I think I should join this thread!
I'm a chinese modeler and now modelling my N Scale Germany Style layout.
Here is the layout plan:
Size: 10' X 8'
Track system: Peco Code 55
Turnout motor: Tortoise
Command Station: Uhlenbrock IntelliBox
Stationary decoder: Uhlenbrock 63410 20port switch modul
Occupancy Detector: Digitrax BDL-168 & Uhlenbrock 63340
Computer Control: Railroad & Co. Train Controller
And now, I'm in benchwork!
Engine Shed I will put in the layout:
Thanks!