Hi folks, I've been lurking in the shadows here for about 3 months and am finally getting around to posting something. I started my model railroading hobby when I was about 3 years old living in New Jersey. My dad was big into trains and got me started in N-scale stuff. I even still have a few of the original trains, models and tracks he gave me, along with the first train set of my own (a Bachmann Amtrak Metroliner set). Anyway, now I've got kids of my own and my son has been bitten by the railroading bug. So I dug out my old train stuff and we've been tinkering with ideas about building a model railroad. That said, and thanks to a tip found here, and a great "how-to" also found here, we've come up with a track plan for an L-shaped layout. I'd like to post them here for some feedback. This went from a somewhat simple oval 3' x 5' layout to the 6'3" by 9" L-shaped layout over the past few months. Lots of testing was carried out by my son and me and modification after modification has been made to correct operating issues, add detail and make it work. Here's a quick description. The layout is focused on the time frames of the mid-1960s through the late 1970s in Northern New Jersey. The fictitious railroad is the Pearson, Wellington and North Jersey Railroad (so named after my grandmother's cats when I was a kid). The towns depicted are Pearson City (sort of like Hoboken, Jersey City, etc.), and Wellington Township (like a blend of many Jersey towns). Here are some of the details on the set. To be built on hollow core doors. Top right is a factory (will be scratch-built with an open bay door for rail cars (holds a little more than one car). Top left is a mountain, with a tunnel for the main line and passing siding. On the mountain is a coal depot (my dad's old Pola kit I've been wanting to use on a set forever). Tracks leading up to it are at roughly 8% grade (best I could do in the space I've got) but it'll look OK. Town features a trolley (running an old Bachmann PCC unit) that will run automatically, auto-reversing, and stopping here and there (will probably use CDS cells as triggers, and very open to suggestions regarding this part). And yes, I know that the PCC wouldn't prototypically run in reverse. Tough, I like the PCC and it stays! ;-) The town is up about an inch higher than the main-line tracks. Buildings in town include some old kits I've had, some newer stuff (like the city block buildings DPM makes), two fast-food restaurants (burger king and pizza hut, Life Like kits that will be modified and painted to match late 60s versions), a church and a gas station (old Pola Exxon/Esso station). Lower center of the set is a small factory with it's own siding. Freight depot is on the left lower section and passenger station (commuter style) is on the bottom of the main section. L section will be removable for storage and transit and features the main yards and Pearson City station (elevated with streets above and platforms below). Anyway, that's all for now. Oh, and was very glad to find out about the XtrkCad software, which this layout plan was built with. I'll post more soon. Be gentle... -Matt
Hi and Welcome to TB !! I like what I am seeing. Dont be concerned with something 'not being prototypical'...unless you are a 'rivet counter'...LOL. Go 'freelance'...no one can ever say anything is wrong...lol. :tb-biggrin: * Tracks leading up to it are at roughly 8% grade...hmmmmm...a bit steep IMHO...but I will let other digest that and reply. Above all..have fun !!! Its your railroad and its just a "Hobby" after all...not life or death :tb-wink: .
Oh, and the kinds of feedback we're looking for is operational (notice anything I've done that will cause trouble?), aesthetic (anything look weird?), prototypical, etc. Thanks!
Thanks mtntrainman! And I know it's a little steep, but I think I can make it work. Besides, it'll be partly hidden behind the town buildings and some scenery. I'll be trying to make good use of theater tricks wherever I can on this layout. Also, the nice thing about XtrkCad is that you can actually run trains on it, which we've been doing a lot of. I even explained train orders to my son and set him up with a scale day's worth of "work". He had a blast and came back for more. Great teaching tool, too!
Kewl!! I like trickery...slight of hand...smoke and mirrors...and anything else that will work. :tb-wink::thumbs_up: .
If there is room, you might consider putting reversing loops on each end of the trolley line. You can buy devices that automatically reverse the appropriate polarities. The B-mann trolleys will take a pretty sharp curve. I know that you mentioned that you like the PCC. Bachmann also sells a Peter Witt streetcar that runs much better than does the Bachpersonn Standard Line PCC/Brill trolley.
PW Welcome home, brother!!! Great return and approach, especially providing the right "seeds" to your son in his model railroading "career". When I started out, it seemed my world existed with rivet counters, and I think back then when I was a newbie, I built for myself, but wanted to make a layout that would impress others, so some compromises and efforts were made on my early layouts back then. One night, in a room filled with a lot of model railroaders, - note: South Florida is LOADED with rivet counters - even those who have never built a layout - loud mouthed observers/critics were bashing my first layout, which I loved, and finally in the carnage, my friend Dan McMurtry, said "no matter what, do what you want, it is your layout" which sticks in my craw over 20 years later. Those "friends" have come and gone, mostly gone, and I still have my trains and my desire to express myself on my layout. That is what makes this hobby great from my view. You can model exactly what you want, what you dream, or what you think your world should be like, and it is your expression. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
The love and fascination of trains cant be stopped! My almost two year old grand daughter loves trains. When she comes over she always wants to go to the train room. And even is into train watching. It sounds like you and your son are having fun. What could be better? Oh, and there is no cure for the afflication!
From one Matt to another. Looks good to me! If it's a first layout learn from this one. Mistakes will be made, experiences will be learned. It's all in good fun!
Welcome to Trainboard. I would be really careful about that grade. Please test it out before commiting to it on a mock up. I have learned MY lesson on grades the hard way. I am only interested in easing your pain.
Thanks bmoto (hey, you're in my neck of the woods). Indeed I have considered reversing loops, but just can't fit them into the plan. The trolley line is just an excuse to use the trolley that I've had sitting around forever, so it takes a lower priority to the railroad. They definitely take a sharp curve though. I've tested it down to 3.6 inch radius but settled on a minimum 4 inches for this layout. Also thanks for the Peter Witt tip. They look great and it seems that some were even made with cabs on both ends (if the photo from SF is what I think it is) so one could be kitbashed. Unfortunately my budget is very limited so I'm going to have to stick with what I've got for now. Besides, I really like the PCCs. Reminds me of my visits to the DC Trolley Museum and Philly. Thanks Matt! Thanks Ken, that's definitely my take on model railroading. I'm just glad I can go somewhere and get some good advice that I can take or leave as I see fit. (insert rimshot here) :tb-rolleyes: Definite big thanks, F. Basically, I'm going up about 1.5 inches in a little more than 18 inches distance. This particular part of the line is the feeder to the coal facility and needs to clear almost 2 inches on the far left side (so the trains below can clear the bridge). Might have to rethink this part, but so far, my initial tests say it can be done as long as I limit the trains to hoppers and shorter switchers.
A little more detail about this layout: 1. This will be a block-wired layout. I know that DCC stuff is quite amazing these days, but I simply don't have the budget to do it. I've got plenty of equipment that is not DCC-compatible and don't foresee having the funds to change that any time soon, if ever. Not a problem though. This is how I learned to model railroads and I am fine with it. 2. It will be built with Code 80 rail throughout. Why? Again, because that's what I've got on hand. 15 pieces of flex track, lots of curved sectional track, a crossing/re-railer, a bunch of Atlas and Peco switches (powered and manual), a bridge and more. I know that Code 55 looks much more realistic. Excellent. I will just have to use my scenery skills to make the 80 look as good as possible. 3. I'm building it on hollow core doors. While open framework is fun (that's how I did it when I was a kid), HCDs with layered cut foam looks like a perfect fit for me. And since I can probably score some used doors and leftover foam at no cost, all the better. Also, the layout will come apart into two sections so it can travel and be easily stored. HCDs make the best choice for this, IMHO. 4. More details on the set. On the right side of the main set is Walther's Cornerstone Interstate Fuel and Oil. The feeder track for the tanks has a 6 inch radius curve on it (tightest on the layout), but it's been tested with my tank cars and will work. Bottom right of the main section includes a Model Power motorized roller lift bridge (my favorite kit, and it works!). Needs a little re-gluing and to finish the weathering, but can't wait to have it on a set. The yard features the cornerstone car shop (top left), a two-stall engine house, switch tower, yardmaster's office, machine shop and a reversing loop (goes through the passenger station). 5. Can't stress this enough, we're on a tight to non-existent budget. Used equipment, trades, salvaged, etc. will be heavily relied on. Nevertheless, I think we can make it work out nicely. Thanks everyone so far! Matt
@Fotheringill: Tested the 8% grade with some flex track, switches and freight cars. Initial test worked well. No hang ups or snags and no uncouplings. Next test will be with a loco (will test with several) to see if that has any trouble. I'm guessing it will also work fine, though my primary concern is whether or not any couplers will get caught, either on switches or ties. I'll update when I get a chance, but thanks again. And thanks Mike, I will.
Update on 8% grade OK, I had a chance to run some tests on the 8% grade and I'm glad I did. First of all, most of the tests went quite well. I tested the 1.5 inch height as well as 1.25 inches (a 7% grade). Obviously the 7% grade worked best, but other than requiring a little more tractive effort (anyone make a sander in N-scale?), my locomotive pool was able to handle at least 4-car trains up the hill. My Kato GP 50 was having problems until I realized that the replacement MT coupler housing was dragging (not the coupler itself, but some lip that drops below the front and rear stairs). A little file work and no more troubles. My Kato F3 had to work a little harder, but still did the job. Bachmann F7 and Atlas RSD-15s held their own and the only one that really had trouble was the Bachmann Plymouth switcher. The outcome? What I think I'll do instead is go for the 1.25 inch rise (7% grade) and lower the main line a bit on the left side of the layout to compensate, so it'll clear the bridges. Thanks for the feedback. Looks like one potential problem has now been avoided. Matt
O M G !! 'Leggos' as temporary supports...LOL. :tb-cool: Just gotta love this hobby *high5* :tb-biggrin: .
Someone get this man a drink of water and a paper bag ! He is hyperventilating...LOL Let me repeat this.... There is a fine line between "Hobby" and "Mental Illness" !! :tb-tongue::tb-tongue: .
Don't you know? Those are ABS plastic scale model large interlocking precast concrete blocks (see prototypes below). Now all I have to do is spray them a proper concrete gray color... :tb-tongue: p.s.- Did I mention that I was handy with the McGuyver skills?
