hi everyone I have been wanting rework my HO scale layout. In the Feb. 2013 MRR mag. pg 35 has the track plan for the Great Northern Railway but it is in N scale. I don’t know how to convert it to HO scale and am having a hard time figuring out the elevations for all the different tracks. Could someone help me? I want to start by building ribbon bench work out of 1/2 in plywood but don’t want start without a plan in place.
Thanks
hi Bootin,
The trackplan might suit James Bauer, if it will suit you is a different question. His aim was to have one train running at a time over a main as long as possible. Then he added a second layout with the same configuration and connected it with the first. At least i would add a couple of passing sidings, to make it possible to have more then one train operating on each of them. They might then even head in the opposite direction. Generally speaking I would prefer one long main, like on the original plan by John Allen; not a couple of connected shorter ones.
The above would also reduce the number of blobs you’ll need. This is especially important when building a layout in a larger scale. The maximum reach-in distance is about 30", anything deeper then that is asking for trouble. Already in James Bauer’s design for N-scale reach-in is often more then 3 ft; while using a 15"minimum radius. In HO the minimum radius needed for big-boys will be 30+, the reach-in distance would grow to over 6 ft. in some spots.
The length of the yard-leads and the way they are connected to the main in Missoula are other trackplan issues. Building a layout that big (48 x 26) is a huge venture; a good plan might be difference between succes and failure. Just multiplying everything times 2 is not the way to go.
Smile
Paul
To convert plans multiply the dimensions, curve radii, etc. by the ratio scale of track plan / scale desired. In this case that is 160/87.1 or 1.84. When going to a larger scale you will usually need to add access to the plan in the form of pop ups, aisles into the benchwork, and/or an aisle around the outside of the layout. When going smaller you usually need to widen existing aisles and access pop ups that can’t be eliminated.
The plan is short on details like elevations. You’ll have to work these up yourself. Track Planning for Realistic Operation by John Armstrong should be a help.
This is a very large, complicated plan that will take years to build.
Good luck
Paul