I am about to start construction of my new layout (N scale) right after the first of the year. I have 2 walls of a 12'x12' room to use, and I can come out around 3 to 3 1/2 feet. My only absolute requirements are having continuous running capabilities to keep my daughter and girlfriend entertained. Also no really huge grades to climb. Some is ok, but my current layout has 4% grades and I hate it! There are 2 windows in this room (one on each of my walls) but I think I am going to board them up, so consider the background flat walls. I've sketched out quite a few ideas for this, but I can't quite nail down what I want. If anybody wants something to do, I'll throw my little project out there for you to play with. I wish I had a way to get my sketches posted. I'd do em in paint, but I am probably the worlds sloppiest person with that program. [ 16. December 2002, 17:11: Message edited by: guppyman ]
I think first of all you need to answer a few questions for yourself. Which era diesel or steam? Freight or passenger or both? Maybe than some people could give advice or some idea's. Paul
Modern Diesel Possibly intermodal... definatley freight. I may throw in a steam museum that runs passenger excursions. (The girlfriend is a steam fan), but other than that, everything will be very modern.
I am in a similar situation. After choosing the era, industries, etc. the next thing I've done is figured out where the curves will have to be placed. The layout seems to kind of takes shape on it's own. I don't yet have a final layout, but I've started some of the bench work to test access (reach). Also, I started benchwork to test aisle width.
I am in a similar situation. After choosing the era, industries, etc. the next thing I've done is figured out where the curves will have to be placed. The layout seems to kind of takes shape on it's own. I don't yet have a final layout, but I've started some of the bench work to test access (reach). Also, I started benchwork to test aisle width.
Just to throw in an idea. On one end of the layout a small helix (2 or 3 turns covered in a mountain area. A train leaving the helix(downside) via a tunnel enters an intermodal yard situated in a small port. The train leaving the port starts a climb (max 2%) meets a few industries and leaves the layout in a tunnel to the helix (upside) area. I know it is just a loup but with a small port and a mountain area and using your fantasy at the industries along the loop, you could do something. It could be possible to add a steam museum line (point to point) with the classic trestle bridge in the mountain area. Just a few thoughts, Paul
Mine is sort of similiar to the helix idea, but instead a nolix on one of the 12 foot walls with a double bench arrangement of reversing loop over and under. Seperation would be around 20 inches. That would give you a mainline of around 100 feet, not bad for an area that big.
Peeked some interest there.... Let me see if I understand the idea here- One wall would host just the Nolix area... while the other was double decked? I've thought about doing something like that... Now I just need to figure out the logistics to get it done. How small can I keep the grades given the area involved?
Hi Guppyman, i don't have any suggestions but that is a nice size area for a N scale layout. i hope u post some pics as to your progess
OK.... I have a couple of questions..... I haven't played with reverse loop wiring yet, but have read a little bit about it. The one thing I don't understand is this- If when you switch the polarity of the main line while your train is in the loop, what happens to the other trains you may have on the main? Am I missing something or??? Maybe I do need to read more or maybe even set a small one up and see a real-world demo for myself. If I chose to go without reverse loops- maybe a folded (really twisted) dogbone type layout.... How strange would double tracks look climbing a mountain? Who wants to come help me build it?
Guppy, If you go reversing loops, go DCC. You can have continuous run, with detection throwing the turnout, and auto reversing. With your 12 foot area, with about a 2.2 grade, you should be able to do it in three loops. I am giving an illustration of an oval and three loops, but try and play with the area, make it water wings shape, or kidney shaped, and those areas would be your mountains. So each loop would be slightly under 12 feet long and about 3 feet wide. Pretend you are building an independent layout that is just a basic oval or waterwings shape that gains elevation. So you want to accomplish a couple of goals: 1) have track in back of nolix accessible 2) visible - you might have to mount a camera for this 3) build a mountain so that it is open in back and you can stand up in it, so only half a mountain, or two. This will give you access to the back 4) consider the back of the nolix for some staging 5) after layout is built, maybe another deck added underneath for staging. You would only need about 6 inches of seperation. Build in sections. For example, build the two decks, then lay track on the bottom deck. When you get to the nolix, build it (this gives you valuable procrastinating time while you play with designs for the nolix) and lay track, then add track to the top deck. When you start laying track, at some point then go out and purchase DCC - this may be a year or so away. Research auto-reversing for your DCC, this isn't a big deal, lots of auto-reversing units out there now. Research auto detection (it is available out there now) to throw the turnouts at your reversing loops. Get courage. Start building. [ 18. December 2002, 19:19: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Well depends on what skills you require the hired hands to have?lol. Bout RL wiring, best read up on it. I can do it, but hard to put into words on this here machine!.lol. I looked at a map, you are in the area of some great hobby shops in the houston area. They might be able to help also. I could be there in about 4 hours,LMAO!! I understand the probelms with the track planning that you are having. But I have found what the others that have replied holds true, once u define , period, industries, locale. Much easier, and the comment bout the curves really falls into place. My self , I love grain trains, being a soo and a cnw fan, go figure!!!!!!!!!. The more industries the better, gotta work the butts of the crews, they have to earn their pay some how!!!!!, lol. In the past I have used parts of plans that I have seen and then add a little flair of my own to them. Basically this, 65-85, I know , I know, too broad!lol. Mixed freights, unit coal, unit grain, unit potash, unit taconite. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northern Illinios area. Plan on having a couple wayyyyyyyyyyy big industries. Gotta love walthers fer the paper mill !!!!!. Basically the idea consists of a central part of those three states where all rail roads come to gather at. Going to have trains from all over. BN, SF, DM&IR, SOO, MILW, CNW, IHB, BRC, GBW, etc , etc, etc. The pride and joy of the fleet will be SOO f's, geeps, and 6 axle road units. One idea that I use is, when ever I have a idea , good or bad, I write it down, never know might come in handy. Well adios, have to go bid on a hard wood floor and some custom cherry cabinets, adios from texas
There shouldn't be any other trains conected to the same power pack so it won't cause a problem. Each train needs to have it's own separate power pack which are separated from the rest of the powerpacks through the use of blocks and toggles. That is unless you are using DCC in which case it doesn't matter as (I believe) you can swich the polarity of the tracks and the locomotives will still carry on going in the right direction.
OK.... thanks for the suggestions and help.... I will definatley be looking at DCC for this. I've got some time to look at my options for that. Here's a question that might be interseting.... Benchwork- Has anyone ever made double decked shelves that were not attached to the wall? maybe somehow anchor the upper deck to the lower with removable legs... Kinda a just in case I sell the house situation... I want to be able to move it if necessary. I know I'm all over the board with the questions I'm asking here, but everything I type helps me get the picture of what I want that much firmly in my head... This is the first time I'm trying to plan something like this.... What I have built I just followed the directions on.... Thanks for the responses and suggestions.... I hope building this will be as much fun as the planning....
i think u still have to block the portion of track off that requires the reverse polarity even in DCC.
Hmmmmmmm, well you would to make a bracket. one leg, ( vert ) would be the second level benchwork level, take two horizontal members, how ever wide the shelf is, affix those to the proper heights. Take another piece of material and from a 45 degree bracket to support both shelfs. For example, the bracket for the upper shelf, would start at the back of the lower shelf and then go upword on a angle.Cut two of the same and affix one to the lower shelf. As for the "foot" . A foot that protrudes out from the verticle upright needs to be long enough to support the weight so it would not tip over. Like a enigine hoist fer a automobile almost, if you get what I am aiming at? . Adios from texas!!!!
