Track and trains were super important when I started my n scale layout 9 years (count them!) ago. I made some scenic progress while the kids were interested and I have an idea in my head as to what the rest might look like... Largely, that’s good enough! Donald Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
My Current N scale Hollow Core Door layout is a loop. Some days I operate it as if it was a point to point type layout running from the interchange track beside the coal tipple to the town of Long Valley on the front side of the layout and returning to the interchange track. A run can be as many loops as I decide. Other days I just enjoy watching the train make loops around the layout, while I unwind from a day at work. I feel it's like the old saying about "Model Railroading Rule #1" I can be as realistic or as silly as I want, because it's for my enjoyment and relaxation
I'm new to the hobby. My first step is to see what it takes to actually run the trains on a "test" setup on top of a couple folding tables. I'll try to post a picture of what I have so far. I'm using dcc++ on on arduino mega with original motor shield. This is connected to a pi running JMRI. I can run 3 trains at once from my phone. One is a MU of a pair of Atlas sd9s pulling ore cars. One is a gp7 pulling coal cars and the final one is a con cor e8 that I did my first soldered dcc decoder install into.
The little Jupiter in the middle is running DC only. The rest is DCC. This is a mix of Atlas code 80 track with Bachmann ez-track from a couple "sets". This started out as DC with multiple power districts but converting most of it to dcc++ makes running the trains so much simpler. This setup is meant to be a temporary learning experience prior to planning a full blown layout in the same room. I still have to decide on turnout control for the layout. Snap switches vs under table mounted servos. Either way, they will be controlled via dcc and jmri so that they can be automated. This setup has a limited life span ahead of it. My railroad accountant wants the tables back for an event at the house right after Christmas.
I has set this up in my basement for the prior year Christmas season. My dad's 1950's vintage Lionel, a 1960's vintage Postage Stamp Santa Fe, and a Bachmann 4-4-0 Jupiter. It was fun, but now I plan to build "The Layout" in N gauge.
Still working on my "real" layout, but it wouldn't be Christmas without running a train around the tree. Even if it is the one on my desk at the office. PLE-RR by BurghThing posted Dec 20, 2017 at 10:11 AM
I believe it's however one chooses to enjoy this hobby. There are many different aspects of it, and one should pursue the ones that they enjoy most. there is no right or wrong way.
You'd have hated the trolley track I made years ago for my mother's Christmas tree. I usually hung it about halfway up. Repeat after me--it's only a bridge...
To answer your question, I would say, "Yes!" I have a 12' x 13' N-scale layout in the garage (with major extensions planned) with completed benchwork but little else, save for a small Unitram "city center" in the middle. Everything still has to be completely disassembled at some point to finish the wiring. But, no matter. I have a running double-track loop over the "plywood-Pacific" to keep me sane while I figure out the rest. Every time I disassembled the loop to work on something, I'd be Jonse-ing the entire time until I got trains running again. I don't know how some manage to work on their layouts for years before running any trains. When I lived in an apartment, I'd run a small, H0-scale Kato Unitrack oval on the carpet from time to time to get my fix.
