Hi there,
I’m Josh and I’m based in the UK. I recently decided to give American N scale a go, and I’ve been very satisfied so far.
I have built this table-top micro layout to practice my scenic skills, and I am enjoying the opportunity to try to depict the amazing landscapes from across the pond. I’ve tried to go for a North-Western theme, based somewhere in the Rockies. I don’t think it looks too convincing though if I’m honest. Anyway, here are some pictures of what I’ve done so far.
[#welcome]
Welcome to the Forum!
You need to read the stickys on how to post pictures under General Discussion. The Forum software requires using a photohosting site.
Your first few post are moderated and are delayed.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Welcome to the forum, Josh. I hope you will take the time to post some pictures. I use imgure.com to post pictures. It’s free and easy to use.
I also model N Scale, so I’m interested to see your layout.
Hi Josh!
Welcome to the forums!! [#welcome]
We are eager to see your photos, but as has been mentioned, you need to use a photo hosting site to get your pictures into your posts. I use Imgur as well.
There is a thread explaining how to post a photo at the top of the General Discussion forum.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249194.aspx
Cheers!!
Dave
Since that’s where I live I actually know exactly what our railroads through the Rockies look like. Be aware that the Pacific North West has a series of quite different mountain ranges from the Rocries to the Pacific Ocean.
Generally speaking the Coastal Ranges are very wet with huge trees that are fun to build, The real things are so huge even the N scale look far too big.
The central Cordillera can be very dry and desert like landscapes are appropriate.
The Rockies are furthest East, the youngest to form but consisting of the oldest rock. This is my favourite area in part because almost anything remotely rugged and rocky looks authentic and the trees are generally all identical in a scale area. Plus the tree line can be quite close to the track, it’s so high in places. Very short tunnels, cuts, fills and bridges are very very common so don’t need to cross a Mississippi. It is realistic to stick a short tunnel, fill, cut or bridge pretty much anywhere you like and a lot of track skirts or crosses water such as lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Waterfalls? Everywhere.
No need for roads and you can build a big train yard with lots of motive power standing around for pusher (helper in the US) service. Lots of maintenance shop activity. Lumber and mining for locations but every type of rolling stock for any through train.
American and Canadian practices are similar and an American was in charge of building the original CPR transcontinental railroad. The Rockies are pretty much the same all up and down the chain.
Motive power and rolling stock are very similar in the modern post transition era.
Do you have access to any good photo books of the Rockies for the era you’re modelling?
Here’s a video of a display quality layout of a famous but ill starred “Rocky Mountain” layout built across the coastal range and two interior ranges:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2ksRVTX0sE
There are other good Canadian sites showing the type of stuff you are interested in. Pacific Northwest USA is not only similar it was virtually interconnected across the 49th parallel which is the border.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=07OQM0VUBec
In the valleys you can also model the virtually flat farmland and towns on level areas, near those yards I referred to, with sawmills and agricultural industry. You can even build a prairie grain elevator and there are prototypes scattered throughout the mountainous areas, on the narrow and flat alluvial plains.
Mines were generally higher up and provide potential for some narrow gauge track, though I’m not sure how you do that in N scale.