Having recently converted from HO to N, I am suffering from a severe lack of imagination. I have room for an L shaped layout 30" x 80" along one arm and a 36" x 48" extension. I am looking for a decent track plan, something likea folded dogbone on 2 or 3 levels. I like to watch em run, not much for switching or fiddle yards so a small yard or several passing sidings would do. Big on tunnels and bridges, mountainous scenery, and would prefer something that can be split into 2 loops so I can run 2 trains at once. Tried different track planning programs, that only resulted in something indescribable, an Italian pasta chef wouldnt be able to figure it out.....if someone has any ideas or plans and would like to pass them along, I would be eternally grateful..........Cheers! '
Let me be the first to say....WELCOME!!!! Im not much on track planning so I will pass the batan to the other guys who will chime in here soon.
Check out Mike's Small Track Plans. Plenty of ideas to choose from there, and you can match up a couple of them to form the "L"
Thanks Rick...Ive looked at Mikes.....most of those looked like spaghetti bowls.....I also found one with possibilities in the recent 101 Model Railroad plans....but wasn't quite what I'm looking for
Your welcome! Oh, that's another Rick. HELP! On it's way. We Rick's to the rescue! Here's a hint. Remember the radius or radii you used in HO scale? Looking enviously at those HO layouts sporting those 36" radius curves? Let's apply that to N scale. Take an 18" radius, some magic with the math and you will find yourself with a close equivalent to a 36" radius curve in N Scale. Go back to those HO track plans: Try using the same track plans from or for an HO scale layout. I guarantee some interesting results. Your curves will be widened out and the track plan will allow for some smaller tighter curved exceptions. It won't be track piece per track piece...that won't work. What will work is the availability of Kato Unitrack and the fact these track equivalents are available. Oh the fun you are going to have...not to mention the satisfaction of seeing those full sized freight cars or passenger cars make the turn. Awesome! You probably guessed it: I build all my N scale layouts with that in mind. My minimum radius for any main line is 16.5" and I have one 24" radius curve. A HO modeler and good friend looked at my layout and wants it, to build a HOn3 layout, out of it. Yeah right! Just a interesting concept! Go have some fun. Take a look at my plywood and particle board Central. See below and click away.
Thanks Barstow.....good points.....my HO layout went the way of the do-do some time ago, looking to start on a fresh sheet....ideally Id like to model the spiral tunnels in the Rockies, dont have near enough room for that though
Welcome to TrainBoard! Would it be possible to model several compressed scenes of that area in the Rockies? It seems to me the space you've described might lend itself to the idea. Boxcab E50
Welcome to TrainBoard Bud. You can do a Google search for many interesting trackplans with those dimensions. They shouldn't be too hard to find. Join the HCD users group on TrainBoard. There must be plans posted there. You could combine several together if you see something you like. You could also embellish one with some of your own ideas. Have fun planning.....
My .02 worth... At least ONE turn around area will be on the 30" area. Allowing for a minimum of 1 inch to the edges from trackbed (for a derail buffer zone)...and going to the centerline of the track...that will leave you about a 27 inch diameter turn...or 13.5 radius. And that is for the OUTSIDE track. Figure in the inside track at 1.25 center to center...that would be about 12.25 radius on the inside track. NOW...none of that is of major conceren...as you are running Normal scale not HorriblyOversized...lol. What really matters all depends on what you plan to run. Diesels? Steamers? Passenger cars? Freight cars? Longer cars may look strange on tighter radii. (BarstowRick recently posted a pic of multiple tracks with different cars...gives a real perspective of cars on different radii). I run Diesels and freight on my all HCD layout. Its all 30 and 36 inch doors. I disguise the 2 turnaround areas (one on a 30 inch door and the other on a 36 inch door) with THE Mountain on one end...and THE Pass on the other. You can check my layout photos in my gallery... http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?u=10412 This may give you a few ideas. First and foremost...have fun! BTW...welcome to TB. .
