Hi All- I'm just getting into model railroading (aside from basic circuit tracks), and could really use some help. Due to space constraints, my son and I settled on a 2' by 4' layout (http://www.cke1st.com/m_train2.htm -- the 12/2007 up-and-over twice around at the end of the 2x4 section) and now I'm trying to figure out how to build it... I have a few questions, which I've been unable to find answers to online, and I'm hoping you all might be able to fill me in. The goal for this layout is to get the track laid down relatively quickly so we can run the trains, and then build and detail the landscape over time. I'm planning to build it on plywood, using WS 1" risers for grade level, and their 3% ramps for the climb & descent, and am looking at building it with Unitrack. Questions: 1) With the 9.75" min radius curves and a 3% grade, do you all think that the Kato NW-2 Switcher would work? 2) Do I lay plaster cloth directly over the risers, and then put the Unitrack down on the plaster surface? or do I plaster around the edges of the risers, with the Unitrack then sitting directly on the foam surface of the risers? 3) Would a reasonable first step approach be to get the risers & basic landscape set and plastered, and then paint the landscape with WS green & earth undercoat, setting the stage for more involved landscaping in the future? or do I really need to do everything at once? (which is very intimidating!) Thanks so much for your help!!! -G
1.) The loco you have picked, would be perfect for the size of the layout, and the radius. 2.) You can do either. Track down first will get you and your son probably more excited about getting to scenery though. You'll just have to tape over the Unitrack so not to get any plaster on it. 3.) Scenery is the best part of a layout because so little can make sucha large difference. Even a can of green paint changes the complexion of the whole thing. I'd go with paint and ground foam, then start adding more detail as you get comfortable. Good luck in your endeavor. The size is perfect for a starter layout!
Thank you so much, Matt! I feel instantly more comfortable with going forward with this project, knowing that there are good folks around to answer my newbie questions! Best, Gian
I also have tight curves with a 3% grade. I do not have a NW2, but do have an Atlas MP15 switcher and I can only pull between 4-5 cars before it starts to slip due to it's light weight.
Hmmm... Are there other types of locomotives I should consider? Or can one add weight somehow? Or get an "assist" car? My thought process was: 1) Diesel. My kid wants diesel, so we're doing diesel (although I really have a soft spot for steam). 2) Short wheelbase given the 9.75" min radius. A four axle constraint seems to rule out a lot of locos. 3) Decent quality line. Perhaps an Atlas GP-35 would work better? Other suggestions for heavier locos that would work with the 3% grade & 9.75" radii? Thanks! -G
Long time reader, first time poster.... Given the size of the layout I can't imagine you'd want more than a 5 or so car long train. I'd think an NW2 or a MP15 would work great. You might also be interested in the Atlas GP15, it's a bit larger I think but may be heavier and IMHO one of the best bang for the buck locos ever.
More great advice -- thanks! You're right -- running more than 5 cars on XTrackCAD looks a little silly, particularly with the short length of the spurs. If it seems like the NW2 is really having trouble, I'll snag some of that frog snot stuff & give that a shot or maybe rejigger the whole layout... or just try another engine... -G (I am encouraged, though, by this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN-qOASQtFo&feature=fvwrel where a guy pulls 27 cars up a 2.5%, 11" radius grade with a single Bachmann engine... I'm hopeful that this whole project will work out, but I really have little idea what I'm getting into!)
On my door layout I laid the plaster cloth over the risers covering the gaps, but you don't have to. I have had layouts for years, but never did any landscaping until recently. Now that I have started to do a little scenery I'm wondering why did I wait so long? What a difference just a little scenery makes. Good luck with your layout. So far I have the major landforms using cardboard strips covered with plaster cloth. I'm just starting to add some ground foam to one of the embankments seperating the two levels on the layout. http://s375.photobucket.com/albums/oo194/Ralph493/Model%20Railroad%20Photos/?albumview=slideshow
Then I'd recommend a Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0. They can haul up the grades, easily handle 9.75" radius (I can run one trouble-free through an 8" radius curve), and they look great and run Kato-smooth. They just require a bit of tinkering to run well. The easiest fix is to loosen the 3 screws on the bottom plate a turn or so, especially the rearmost screw under the cab.
Your 3% grades can be eased by angling the base, lifting the lower end of the grade and lowering the top of the grade. Every thing has a slight tilt but not that noticeable. I did this in my 3' x 6' layout by placing a 1" block at one corner and smaller to support the other legs. Made a big difference in operation. Good luck. Harold:tb-biggrin:
Interesting idea! Except in this case, I have essentially a 3% circle, so we would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. I can, however, just barely get away with a 2% grade for the outside loop, if I want to spring for another WS ramp. The only issue there is that I would be running the train opposite of what appears to be the intended route, and heading into the spurs instead of backing in. Not the biggest deal, but we'll just have to see how the test runs go with the 3% grade and a decent load of cars! In the meantime, I've been looking at additional locos...
While I'm waiting for FedEx to pull up with my first bundle of stuff (track, risers, plaster cloth... the basic subterrain stuff), I'm thinking ahead to ground cover.¤ I'm envisioning a sort of central Vermont, early summer-ish scene, with some tree-covered hills with some rocky outcroppings and roadcuts.¤ With the multitude of products out there, it's overwhelming to select a few to start with, but I was thinking of using: TS Forest floor¤ SE Farm Pasture SE Scrub Grass and SE Alpine Meadow Any thoughts on this selection? I really don't want to break the bank on a ton of different ground covers (I know that trees may be an investment...) but I would like to create a half-decent layout when all's said and done.¤ Thanks! -G
Just jump in and try out different colors. The ones you picked out are a great place to begin. You can always scrape it off and re-do it if you don't like it. I find that having a couple of photos of the area or type of area you want to model really helps with getting the colors right. In most places there's really a lot more brown, tan, and yellow than our minds remember. (We remember the pretty green stuff.)
