This morning I walked out of my local hobby shop with a copy on N Scale Model Railroading. I am lucky enough to have a young son who is fascinated with trains. I am living in Texas, but grew up in WV. I am looking to begin planning a 5x7 or 4x8 layout for N Scale. I am looking for some resources to begin planning the concept and the track and scenery layout. Anyone done something similar or know where I can find some guidance on getting this idea moving?
Hello and welcome, I would recommend picking up a copy of Model Railroader Books "Project Railroads you can Build" It has a wonderful layout for the "Appalachian Central" It is a little larger at 5'7" x 7' but the books cover everything from benchwork to scenery. The first time I saw this layout in Model Railroader I felt like being home in the mountains, (from White Sulphur Springs, WV) [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Project-Railroads-You-Can-Build/dp/0890246017/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260058459&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Project Railroads You Can Build: From Benchwork to Finished Scenery (Model Railroader Books) (9780890246016): Kent J. Johnson: Books[/ame]
I would suggest some reasearch on the late Gordon Odegard's Clinchfield Railroad in N scale. The layout was built in 1978 and still exists with a different owner. Historic N scale Clinchfield RR - on display at 2008 Natl N Scale Convention Photo Gallery by ATSF_Arizona John Sing at pbase.com
CP&E beat me to it. I was going to suggest the Clinchfield book. Lots of good Apple Latching ideas, scenery and operations. Not necessarily a track plan to follow for your space- though they do include variations.
It is hard to beat the Clinchfield Railroad for a prototype to model; that is why I chose it to model myself. Check out this link for information on Appalachian railroad modeling: ARM Home Good luck and enjoy the hobby.
