Help With a new layout

Luckysharms Jun 9, 2011

  1. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    Ever since I was young I wanted to get started with this hobby. I'm 16 now and I found a place I can store my track. I'm very new to this, but N scale will best fit my size needs. I was wondering If anyone had any recomended layouts for the size space that I have. My space requires a Max of 81x28 and a max vertical height of 6 inches. Can anyone help?
     
  2. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    Welcome to TrainBoard!!! Let me first say that it is always a pleasure to see the younger generations getting into the hobby! Now, as for an idea for a track plan, there are MANY out there that will fit a space of 24x48 or 2'x4'. Since you have a few more inched in width and a LOT more in length, the only things you have to decide are: What do I want to model? Will I want some coal drags through a town and some country, or will I run intermodal, or even passenger trains? You can also mix and match. Then when you have decided that you will have a base idea of the terrain and scenery you will desire. Then you will only need to ask yourself if you want to modify a pre-existing track plan or start from scratch? With a space like yours, the possibilities may be limited, but imagination and a little creativity can make it seem like a space 100 times bigger! Please keep us posted and if you have any questions that you don't want to ask here for one reason or another please feel free to message me. :tb-biggrin:
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Welcome to TrainBoard!

    Your space available sounds close to the dimensions of a door. You might take a look at out "HCD Layout" Group. You could also ask in our Layout Design Forum. There have been many interesting layouts built in N, in less area.

    Boxcab E50
     
  4. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the help guys ill check that stuff out and get back to you.
     
  5. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    Hmn....well every time I search "HCD Layout" in the search its says HCD is too common. Am i searching in the wrong place?
     
  6. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    Try to narrow your search to the Layout Design forum, or you can always google search "N Scale hollow core door (or hcd) layout track plans". Let us know what you find! I know of a site that has some pretty decent track plans and I will post a link when I can find the bookmark.
     
  7. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    I posted my request in the layout section!!!
     
  8. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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  9. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 9, 2011
  10. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    Ok I have a great layout Idea for my beginner-ness....idk how to do those complicated layout builder things tho....haha
     
  11. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    Ha ha! It's ok. We were all noobs at one point :tb-wink:. Just ask any questions you have and there will always be help for you here!
     
  12. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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  13. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    So here are two I like...the problem is I don't know what to do with the extra foot and a half!!!!
     

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  14. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    They are both very nice selections! The extra foot and a half is not a problem, it is a blessing!! You can just pick a spot on each side (or a few for that matter) that you would like to see more done with and lengthen it! You can always add length to a side to make it fit. Check out the site for my layout. I think I have comparison pics from the original track plan I used, but the original was a foot too long for my 4x8 so I just changed it a little to fit and you can do the same for these!
     
  15. Harron

    Harron TrainBoard Supporter

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    See reply in Layout Design Forum.
     
  16. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    View attachment 23588 So what about this as a final plan? Now that I have this how do I know how much track I need?
     

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  17. Sierra117

    Sierra117 TrainBoard Member

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    I like it just fine! The only question is if you like it or not. Just remember one thing about this hobby:

    IF YOU MODEL PROTOTYPICAL OR FREELANCE, STEAM ERA, TRANSITION, OR MODERN, PASSENGER, OR FREIGHT, NONE OF IT REALLY MATTERS BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY ITS YOUR RAILWAY AND THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY!!

    As for my opinions, I think its a GREAT beginning layout and I cannot wait to see your progress! As for knowing how much track you will need, that is a whole new question.

    Will you be using sectional track such as Atlas snap track? Or will you be going with a track with built in road bed such as Kato Unitrack? If you go with the Atlas track, you can actually search the Atlas website and they have some layout designing soft ware that is available for FREE DOWNLOAD. If I'm not mistaken you can build this layout in there and it will keep track of how much of each piece you need. And if it doesn't you can always keep track with pen and paper as you go.
     
  18. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for all your help!!! Ill get my track figured out using that website that you told me!!!
     
  19. purple1

    purple1 TrainBoard Member

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    I posted in your other thread. I think you need to do a little more homework then the answers will be much clearer. Most of all have fun and take your time.
     
  20. Luckysharms

    Luckysharms TrainBoard Member

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    I tried using the RTS software but when I try to load it says the file is invalid or it was created using a different version of RTS
     

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