HI, I'm planning to build a N-scale layout (KATO unitrack) on a hollow core door (83" x 39") But I don't want to go with something too complex (too long to build) but still want something interesting to play with and somewhat nice Any idea? BTW, it will be digital Thanks
I'll give you one place to start looking for ideas, "The Mad Trackplanner's Page" http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm Lot's of plans for small layouts, ranging from really small up to door size. While you may not find one that exactly fits what you're looking for, you should at least get some ideas there. Good luck from one wood door layout guy to another, Ed .
At the risk of shamelessly plugging my own site, I had planned on building a layout on a door and played around with about 5 different designs. They may be more involved then what you are looking for, but heck, I'm not using them - somebody might as well! Modelrailroader.ca Trackplans Best of luck!
Try this link- it's from Mike Fischer's Small Trackplans page. I'm also building a hollow-core-door layout in N scale- see my thread on my layout's construction (edit) Looks like Ed mentioned the same place I did.............that's OK, I like this guy's door-sized trackplans
On my door I'm building a modified version of the Carolina Central, a plan discussed in "N Scale Model Railroading" by Marty McGuirk, published by Kalmbach. IMHO, a very good starter book. For one with limited space (a small guest bedroom) and resources, a door layout made perfect sense to me. I'm also using Unitrack, and there is a track plan on the Kato website. I modified the plan to include a double mainline and am using larger radius track sections at the beginning and end of the loops to make the straight-curve transition smoother. I use a double crossover in the back staging area between the mainlines. (Sorry, no pics.) My scenery will be quite different from that in the book. I'm modeling the central California foothills - lots of grass, few trees. If you like, I can snail mail or fax you a copy of my track plan. Good luck and have fun. :smile2:
I've seen the CC with Unitrak mentioned in MR several years ago- yes, it would make a nice layout using Unitrak. Interestingly, the original CC is the inspiration for MY layout.
39" wide? That's an unusually wide door. You cna use wider curves than most door layouts. Unfortunately, wider curves also require longer switches to match, and thus most plans for smaller doors wouldn't fit if you tried to enlarge the curves. This makes the important question what sorts of equipment you plan to run.
Yes, actually it's a regular 36" x 80" door, where I have added a kind of frame all around to place the four legs. Now, external dimensions are 39" x 83" (+1.5" each side...)
French_guy, Sorry for not responding sooner. You can email me at theolmsted@aol.com and include your fax # or street address and I'll send you a copy of my track plan. The basic Carolina Central plan seems to me to be a good one for a 36" x 80" door, although I'm not sure how easily it would be to expand it to a larger surface later. As a newbie and at my age, I don't plan to make it bigger, just better. :we-wink:
He he... nothing too complicated is a relative term. Looks pretty complicated to me. I like it so far. My only criticism is that all your spurs face the same way. I have a door panel sized layout and intentionally made the staging tracks face opposite the yard and industrial tracks. It allows for operation between staging and other areas in both directions. I also have double loops for those roundy roundy moments. I still like to play trains sometimes ya know. What is the function of all the spurs. For instance the spur with the run around on the upper part. What goes there?
