Hey guys, I haven't posted on these boards for quite awhile but I would like to share a small N scale project I've been working on. I'm a little intimidated by all the great N scale modeling and knowledge I see on these boards but what the heck, here goes! In January I started work on a freelanced layout based somewhere in southwestern Colorado, sometime in the early 1950s. I came up with the name Pagosa & Southern since I already own a couple of nice running MDC locos that were lettered P&S from an earlier layout (yes, I'm that lazy). The story is that this was once a narrow gauge line that has now been widened to standard gauge. The layout measures just 32"x60" and shares a room with my On30 Thunder Mesa Mining Co. layout. Long story short, I want to keep it small and simple. I really don't want or need a large, operations based N scale pike at this time in my life so the P&S is just an excuse to build some nice structures and get the old trains out of the box. To that end I'm using Kato Unitrack and sticking to a very simple track plan that allows for continuous running and a couple of power routed sidings all on the same block. As you can see, the track plan and controls are very basic. The biggest wiring challenge to date was installing a single DPDT toggle switch to allow a choice between DCC or analog control. This a shameless train runner's display layout so don't take me to task for the obvious lack of operating potential. I know. A couple trains running through nice scenery is what this is all about. Benchwork is dimensional MDF with a 1/4" plywood top. Track level is about 56" above the floor. No grades. Minimum radius is 11" (282mm). I'm using 1" thick pink polystyrene foam to build up the scenery forms and the backdrop is a photo-montage of Colorado scenes I put together in Photoshop and had commercially printed on 13oz vinyl scrim. About a month in and I've been having a lot of fun with this so far. It's a nice change of pace from the big layout and I hope you all enjoy my sharing it with you here.
Cool. Nothing else matters! Please do share more. Are those photos used to make used to create the backdrop yours? Wow. Nice. It really adds a lot.
Thanks guys. Yes, the photos are all mine, taken on numerous trips to southwestern Colorado. If you know what to look for you might spot Lizard Head Pass, Animas Forks, and the Red Mountain mining districts.
Looks like a great little layout to just play around with and run trains, with the bonus of not needing months or years to reach a level of completion. What time frame are you aiming for? (I'm guessing very early 20th century)
Thanks! Actually it's the early 1950s and an RS3, GP7 or F3 might make an appearance once in a while. My "excuse" for the 1890s looking consolidation is that it is often used in movie work so the diamond stack and box headlamp are left in place by the shop crews. Edit: To be clear, this is the era I'm going for: This is Montrose, CO circa 1953.
Here's another pic. "D&RGW No. 5200 leads a short freight over the majestic pink rock of Wolf Creek Canyon." This section of Unitrack and the foam supports will soon be replaced by a curved trestle.
Got a little structure work done this morning on an old Republic Locomotive Works narrow gauge engine house, a kit I probably started on about ten years ago.:wideeyes: This will be part of a small narrow gauge scene at the front of the layout. Though no longer used as an engine house, this structure, a couple of Micro Trains Nn3 cars and a bit of narrow gauge track should help to establish the history of the area. Over on the canyon side of the layout I got tired of looking at the pink styrofoam support under my temporary bridge so I put together a couple of bents from an old Heljan trestle kit in my scrap box. This slightly better temporary solution should work fine while I get the canyon scenery done and decide exactly what kind of permanent bridge I want to put there.
