Nate’s N Scale Layout

This website has really good instructions and information:

https://www.steves-trains.com/

And so does this one:

https://www.krafttrains.com/

John

@Craftech posted:

This website has really good instructions and information:

https://www.steves-trains.com/

And so does this one:

https://www.krafttrains.com/

John

Thanks John, I’ll check it out.

I've built several N-scale layouts over the years and love the 2' depth one can achieve in that scale.  I don't have any words of wisdom other than to wish you encouragement.  A lot can be done in 2x4.  Even just a loop with a passing siding and a few industry sidings can make for a very effective layout. 

This is old track plan and is larger than 2x4 obviously.  Like most of my layouts it only got to the benchwork and some track stage.  I was able to get away with two tracks because the largest equipment was an 85' scale passenger car but having some opportunities to run mainline trains and some operations or even just display of some cars on sidings makes for an interesting layout.

@GazooRC posted:

...
I don’t have room to do a double track section though because the big boy requires 11” curves. A full curve takes up the whole side of the table.
...

Have you actually run the Big Boy on the 11" curves?  Just because it "will run" doesn't mean it will work smoothly or that you'll like how it looks.

I don't have a Big Boy, but based on what I have - largest loco is a Berkshire - it seems like there will be a lot of overhang with that radius.  Suggest setting up the oval and running it to see if the overhang is acceptable to you.

One option for making a shallow layout look larger is to add a partition down the middle to block the view of the far side of the layout.

Figure 8 is fun on a tinplate layout, but I'm not a big fan of it for scale trains.

Have you looked at the Spookshow website run by Mark Peterson? http://www.spookshow.net/locos.html

If not, do so and look up any engine ever made in N scale for the American market. It will provide you real-world experience regarding minimum radius curves.

@Mallard4468 posted:

Have you actually run the Big Boy on the 11" curves?  Just because it "will run" doesn't mean it will work smoothly or that you'll like how it looks.

I don't have a Big Boy, but based on what I have - largest loco is a Berkshire - it seems like there will be a lot of overhang with that radius.  Suggest setting up the oval and running it to see if the overhang is acceptable to you.

One option for making a shallow layout look larger is to add a partition down the middle to block the view of the far side of the layout.

Figure 8 is fun on a tinplate layout, but I'm not a big fan of it for scale trains.

I have not. It was supposed to come in the mail today but according to the tracking I don’t think that’s going to happen. There will be overhang. This is from Kato’s website.

that’s not bad if this is actually an 11” curve.
at the end of the day that’s all I have room for so it is what it is. Otherwise I’ll put it up on my wall layout with my o scale.

@BenLMaggi posted:

Have you looked at the Spookshow website run by Mark Peterson? http://www.spookshow.net/locos.html

If not, do so and look up any engine ever made in N scale for the American market. It will provide you real-world experience regarding minimum radius curves.

This was an interesting read, thank you for this.

Haven’t posted here in a while. Here is the line up. Took some time to get #4015 speed matched but now we are rollin. Now I can focus on building my layout. Just an oval on a table right now.
Here’s a video: https://youtu.be/J8GOoHZzBhI?si=U5Krxh1mZN1PF7Ch

Wow, that thing smokes!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Beautiful job on pairing the engines!  The train looks great and runs smoothly.  I’m with Joe, it smokes great!  I’m looking forward to seeing your layout take shape as I know you are!!

@NJCJOE posted:

Wow, that thing smokes!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

@Mark Boyce posted:

Beautiful job on pairing the engines!  The train looks great and runs smoothly.  I’m with Joe, it smokes great!  I’m looking forward to seeing your layout take shape as I know you are!!

Oh yea the BLI BB really throws some smoke! More than any of my O scale. Crazy.

Thank you Mark. I'm excited to get started on it myself.