Track plan for Mike's new NG layout

Here is the base track plan for my new HOn3 layout. This was drawn by a gentleman in Germany for a layout he planned but never actualy built. I am making a few minor modifications to fit my room. First is I dont require the notch in the one corner, so the layout will fill that corner fully and not angle into the room as it does in the picture. I also have to shorten it just a bit as my room is a tad smaller at 112 inches deep as you walk in the door and 115 inches wide. I would have to shorten the leg on the side that has the notch almost 3 feet due to the entry door, but we have a plan to cut that door in half to open/close under the shelf as I prefer to keep my dogs out of the layout room. For motive power I bought an unpainted Balboa brass K36 Mikado, I swapped out the aging open frame motor for a NWSL can motor tonight and will add DCC shortly. Then it will get sent away for a month or two to be pro painted and weathered. The second pic is of the first Balboa K36 I tried to win on ebay, lost that one, but the one I got from Caboose hobbies is just as nice, came with its box instead of no box and with shipping it was cheaper than this one sold for! Cheers Mike

 

I may shift the prototype to Nevada County Narrow Gauge though and change the towns and slightly alter the track plan but the basic layout will remain the same otherwise. I am torn as I also have a really really nice WSM #9 thats been already pro painted, can motored and DCC installed. There just isnt much out there for that line beyond a couple freight cars. I am sure I can paint up some Labelle coaches for my passenger service however. I would need another road engine, I think Westside Models SPng consolidation's without the walscherts valve motion could be turned into NCNG #8 without much trouble. I have a line on one of the Chicago Park depots that are nolonger available. The huge pro and con is the little 2-8-0's will go around my tigher curves on my current micro layout and the big K36 wont even come close! I am open to suggestions and no I am not going to freelance the two lines together! LOL! Cheers Mike

 

Finaly prototype is now set, it will be a D&RGW layout. I found the exact engine I have been hunting for while at the train show in Chicago on Sunday. I purchased a Westside Models D&RGW C-16 #268, beautifully painted in the Bumblebee colors. Still has its original open frame motor, so a new can motor from Locodoc will be ordered soon. I also got a couple Railline cars, one stock car that was built and ready to run other than decals, and a box car kit. I then found and bought a brass long caboose that was painted but not decaled. I had some of the decals but need a fresh sheet for the "flying" Rio Grande to finish the decal work, along with some Tomar lighted marker lights. The train is on my little micro layout that I am going to play with for awhile before starting the actual new layout. I plan to shift the location on the D&RGW to the Gunnison branch during the fall stock rush. We have a gentleman localy that makes nice affordable Aspen trees, and can do summer or fall foliage. I am selling the WSM Nevada Co narrow gauge #9 consolidation so I can get a WSM #278 C16 to suppliment the #268. Here are some pics of the bee and the one thats for sale or trade. Mike