Wrightsville Port: N-Scale Waterfront Layout

Nimo Nov 20, 2010

  1. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    I have been in this forum for quite a while, but so far didn't get a chance or time to start a thread of my own. Now as I am building a new layout, I thought it's time to take some time out and start a thread here.

    To give a brief background, I am a model railroad enthusiast from Calcutta, India and it's been a long time that I actually decided to build an waterfront N scale layout, but it being so typical of me, I kept on changing the plan. Although I wanted to make an 'original' plan, one plan that caught my eye so dearly, that I just couldn't let go. And that plan is Ian Rice's Coalport, MD, 1941.

    I saw that plan back in early 2009 and this plan inspired me a lot. But,I drifted away in eternal confusion about what to do or what not to, what I actually wanted, and what I didn't. About 3 months back, when I saw that plan again, I knew that, 'THAT' was something I wanted.

    I have changed the plan considerably though. Moved the time line at least 20 years ahead in the decade of 1960s-early days of containers. The trackplan itself has been changed a lot, scopes of scenery increased... So basically, I have been heavily inspired by Ian Rice's Coalport plan, but at the end of the day-it is my plan after all... :tb-biggrin:

    Here is a glimpse of the plan. To get a detailed idea about the original plan and how I changed it, please visit our blog: http://wrightsvilleport.blogspot.com/. Also, please keep visiting here as we will be posting many new things here pretty soon.

    [​IMG]

    The story:

    Wrightsville port is an imaginary port in Wrightsville, NC dated back in 1960s. Days of Steam are dying and Diesel motive power is on the move-but you still see one or two steam engines pulling the cars to this small port on the Atlantic. Though pretty small in size, this port adapted itself with the modern era of intermodal transportation with ease. The port has a small container crane on the quay that previously used to harbor relatively large freight ships. The port also has an old coal trestle that is still used extensively, but the authorities are thinking seriously about new age coal transportation and this trestle is going to be dismantled within the next year or two.

    As of now, the benchwork is completed and I have taken a week long vacation to work only on the layout. So, hopefully it's going to get very exciting.
     
  2. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Wrightsville Port: N-Scale Waterfront Layout: Bench work

    The benchwork for this layout was simple, but it was really difficult for me to do it on my own, so I had to take help of professional carpenters.

    Anyway, to start with, first a 3D model was prepared with all the dimensions:

    [​IMG]

    Now the actual benchwork:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The primary objective was to make this layout as portable as possible. To do this, the table top is made removable and there are two separate rectangular structures on which the top sits. The top is made out of 12mm ply on 1 inch X 1-1/2 inch solid wood frame. There are locking system on the frame that helps it sit securely on the legs.
    The cassette is made on a separate, long bench. It's a 4.5 ft. long cassette that can hold 15 N scale cars with a locomotive with ease. This limit is enough for me, and this length of train will be a "long train" from my layout's perspective as the layout is small and the traffic will be pretty slow moving.
     
  3. ken G Price

    ken G Price TrainBoard Member

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    It looks like a good plan from an operational standpoint as well as the scenic looks. Do you have a place to buy 1:160 ships or will you have to build your own?
     
  4. JoeW

    JoeW TrainBoard Supporter

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    Congratulations

    Excellent start Nimo. I like the 3d art of the bench work. I am looking forward to future posts of your progress.
     
  5. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Looks like a great start, and the plan is awesome! :)
     
  6. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks so much everyone...

    I have already built the ships for this layout. All are scratchbuilt cardboard models. Below, please find some pictures:

    Goj: The tug boat


    [​IMG]

    Severus: Small Cargo Ship

    [​IMG]


    Sirius: Oil Tanker (Steam fired)

    [​IMG]



    Betelgeuse: Container Ship

    [​IMG]


    Please visit my hlog for more details on these ships.


    I am yet to build the barges and some boats for the boat yard...
     
    Kurt Moose and NScaleKen like this.
  7. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Scratchbuilts so far...

    I thought I should share our scratchbuilt so far... I primarily use cardboard as the prime material for scratchbuilding-I buy some, rest I get from various packaging of regular household things. And also electric wires, toothpicks, toilet role remains! Basically anything and everything that goes to the dustbeen... :)

    Anyway. I already shared the ships, below some of my other creations so far...

    Cranes:

    [​IMG]


    Oil Storage Tanks:

    [​IMG]


    Operating Bascule Bridge:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    All painting and weathering jobs on these models are done by my wife (and she will do the future ones too... :p)

    I believe over 90% of the structures and objects in our layout will be scratchbuilt. That's one aspect of this hobby that we simply LOVE... :p
     
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  8. Richard320

    Richard320 TrainBoard Member

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    Damn! You're almost there already! Ships, Cranes, industry, baseboards.... good job!

    That base looks strong enough to park a car on it.
     
  9. Railroad Bill

    Railroad Bill TrainBoard Member

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    Wonderful modelling, Nimo ... great track plan for your harbor activities, wonderful structures, ships, & apparatus; it'll look great in operation ... :tb-biggrin:

    I've only read about cassette storage of consists; could you show how you'll do it?
     
  10. jsoflo

    jsoflo TrainBoard Member

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    I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE harbor/port layouts, one waterfront article in model railroader years ago is what got me into this hobby in the first place, I eagerly await photos of your progress, looks awesoem so far,

    my best,
    Jan
     
  11. fatalxsunrider43

    fatalxsunrider43 TrainBoard Member

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    Kaustav and Mouli....your ships are simply fantastic, very, very nice work. You are what they call "A REAL MODEL BUILDER" considering the things you use to make the models.
    I am speechless with admiration. Have you ever thought of doing these ships as custom work for other people ? It would be a good way to subsidize funds for your lay-out. Again, you have talent and you should
    share and sell your works with others who want to model the same type lay-outs.

    fatalxsunrider43
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 21, 2010
  12. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for all the encouragement... :tb-biggrin: This plan is indeed special. I have designed many plans over last 4-5 years - small, medium, from completely prototypical to completely imaginary... but there was something about this plan that made me come back to it time and again.

    I'm not planning to start building the cassette right now, but will surely share the construction details as soon as that part of the project begins.
     
  13. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Hey,
    Thanks so much! :tb-biggrin: we actually thought about providing custom model building service in a very cost effective way. we are still planning how we could manage time. At this moment, we are focusing on our layout and finishing as much as possible within the next one or two months. After that i believe we can start building models for others.
    In case you have thought about something, and you don't have a very tight deadline, then please let me know. we can definitely work something out.
     
  14. mr1967

    mr1967 TrainBoard Member

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    a few comments on the plan...

    i don't see a run around track - how are you going to get deal with getting cars to the cold storage?

    to access the cold storage you have to run thru a pier loading area. maybe putting a switch instead of the crossing would be better?

    overall i really like it. it has some great potential for scenery and the structures and ships look awesome.

    -Steve
     
  15. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks so much Steve... :tb-biggrin:
    There is a run around track just beside the container ship which will serve both the container portal and the cold storage. I have deliberately kept the cold storage access through the crossing (Just like Ian Rice's Coalport, MD, 1941 plan), just to make switching a little more challenging...:tb-cool: Another reason is that the cold storage spur goes parallel to the main track for quite a distance, so I can have two trains running side by side for a while-a visual effect I love to see. Also, since the crossing is actually on mainline, I have a plan for an operating signal right in front of it...:pbiggrin:

    There is another thing... since this layout is basically a visible reverse loop, the loop itself can act like a runaround, in case the only runaround in the port is occupied during heavy traffic flow. I personally think that will increase operational challenge a little more and I will be able to run trains for a longer time... :mbiggrin:
     
  16. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    A Small Addition

    Well, this should have been there in the original plan... anyways, added a small engine house and engine parking area to the plan... Placed the order for the turnout as well... :tb-biggrin:

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Benchwork.. contd.

    The main material used to make the road-bed of our layout is insulation boards. The main reasons for using it are that they are easy to cut and shape and also that they are strong and will be able to withstand the pressure that the running trains and the scenery will apply when the entire model is up and the trains running.

    The benchwork had to be made in a few time-consuming steps, details of which are as follows.

    Firstly markings were made on the insulation board where the turnout motors and uncouplers would be placed. the holes were cut out and corresponding markings were made on the plywood as well. [​IMG]

    Once the corresponding holes were made on the plywood, wood frames were attached on the ply to strengthen the insulation boards.

    [​IMG]
    The support for the insulation board was made stronger by adding foam in between the wooden frames. The insulation board is cut in the shape of the port.


    [​IMG]

    The port is finally taking shape with the insulation boards placed on top of the foam framed with wood.

    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Nimo

    Nimo TrainBoard Member

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    Port!

    As of right now, the benchwork is done. This is a small preview of what the port will look like.

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
    NScaleKen likes this.
  19. Train Kid

    Train Kid TrainBoard Member

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    Great work right there.

    Beautiful planning and equally beautiful execution!
     
  20. GaryHinshaw

    GaryHinshaw TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, nice thread! I'll definitely be following your progress. Your modeling is very impressive.

    Do you have a good source for track & american trains in Calcutta?

    Best,
    Gary
     

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