Far Corners Layout (N scale)

Usually staging doesn't replace a yard, but it can. Staging allows you to "store" your goodies, as well as use it for staging. The way I am building my layout is that I first built the two (visible) levels (not the staging area). So in your plan, I have built everything to the right of your left wall, except for that along the left wall (which will be the nolix area).

Then I put up my backdrop for everywhere. Next I will be laying track for the entire bottom level. When I finishing laying track to the bottom leve, I will have reached the nolix area. Then I will build the nolix.

After the nolix, laying the remaining track. After that, then adding staging underneath.

So you can build in phases and have trains running fairly early in the game.

 

OK. So would this work for a nolix in the middle of the layout? It would punch through the wall in a number of places. This is not a problem.
To the left, I would add a yard which would be under the large horseshoe curve.
The actual two level layout would ...
Hmm. I guess I would make the horseshoe curve as the start of the next level, so the yard would be on the lower level with just a 10"-12" verticle space.
Hmm, still working on this...

 

it's late at night. Sorry.
The large horseshoe could be a viaduct (?) that went over the yard up to the second level. Yes, I have left any thought of a prototypical route in the dust...

 

It may not be the orthodox way to do it, but I started building the benchwork. This has helped tremendously - 1). It will show me just how much room I do have. I have already learned that I really need 30" aisle at a min., unlike the 24" I had originally planned. 2). Shelf width, and at what height, to make it easy to work on. A 30" reach at 54" is pushing it. 3). Maybe I don't need 12" to gain to the higher shelf. There are area's where maybe a 8" or 12" wide shelf would look OK, and only need to be 8" to 10" above lower shelf. 4) And the last advantage of building bench work, I'm able to experiment with acceptable 'duck unders'.

 

hey there barry heres a link to a layout thats has a nolix in will using one if not a copy of this one for my layout rich


http://www.shendiv.com/design/operations_desired.html

 

Nolix is back on the backburner. I want it, but haven't figured out yet where to fit it. I am focusing on the first part of construction, which will now be the yard area. I have made it a thru yard now. The 7' by 7' area only shows the mainline, industry, etc. will be added later. At my present rate, this should be about 2005.


[ 22. December 2002, 20:25: Message edited by: Barry T. ]

 

you are correct, the inner line does not connect back. This is one of a couple of area's that I don't think I'll know for sure until I start laying out full size. I have started constructing the roundhouse (Walthers), and the engine house is complete. My next plan is to cut out the plywood base and foam, place the structures, and start planning the track at the 1:1 level. I think I'm reaching the limits of what I want to do on the CAD design. Someone has suggested to me to use butcher paper to draw out plan, then this is easily tracable to the foam?

 

Completed first 8' section of backdrop on 1/8" MDF board. Very basic, but I wanted something, and didn't want to invest too much $$ at this point. I have started laying roadbed. This is being built in sections, 2' to 4' long so that it will move with me if we ever move. I am starting with the yard area. Current plan is...

 

What you have diagramed looks great. If after you have it built up a bit, but need more space using a nolix, let me know, and I will help you. But if I were you, what you have looks good, and is still a good sized layout for N, where door size layouts reign supreme.

 

Whoa. Just finished 90% of the yard area. Among the many lessons learned, with my high bench height, 60", working on those distant corners is a PIA. So...
I punched my two tunnels though the wall, but am giving some serious consideration to changing the rest of the layout to an around the room with a duck-under at the door going into the larger room. Maybe two laps???
Arghh. Well, not much for people to reply to, but had to vent frustration somewhere.


[ 23. February 2003, 17:54: Message edited by: Barry T. ]

 

Hmm... I have benchowork at 57 inches and although I haven't worked on the upper deck yet, there is one area I know will be PIA. BUT, once your trains are running, I suspect you will love 60 inches.

 

Here is where I am at today. This is the completed curved thru-yard.

This scene will be covered by a long warehouse building flat, about 4 feet long, it will be fun to set out some nice long consists on this siding.


[ 30. August 2003, 19:08: Message edited by: Barry T. ]

 

Some very nice stuff here!!
Barry, consider picking up an Atlas turntable.for its indexing ability.You can mount the atlas underneath the walthers pit TT.You get great operation from your turntable and the better look of the pit TT that is the Walthers unit.I think you will find the Walthers unit by itself will be frustrating.
Check out this sitehttp://kg0wx.users.50megs.com/turntable.html

[ 27. June 2003, 12:43: Message edited by: Tileguy ]

 

The track for the roundhouse worked our easier then I thought, mere weeks away from bringing in the SP&S's Alcoa units...

 

I have updated the track plan to include a full branchline (SP?) in the middle. This is a 'rough' outline, as I have found that it is not worth the time to fine tune the plan on the computer, because when I am laying track imagaination takes over. The idea is to have one track the mainline, then the inner track the branchline, with an industry area. Everything 'east' of the middle wall is finished, I am laying ballast in that area. All benchwork is completed.