Hi guys, need your help. I’m a former 4x8 HO model railroader who never made it past the intermediate stage but when I saw this 3x5 n scale layout mostly finished on the side of the road, i couldn’t resist. Unfortunately the wiring leaves me a bit puzzled and i was wondering if you guys had any recommendations for scenery. The layout has track and roadbed down with wired switch tracks dangling beneath. What i couldn’t figure out is how to wire the dang thing. I’ve wired block wiring on my 4x8s before but that was with blocks and a “common” rail. This layout has me puzzled, at the locations I’ve marked in red, http://s92969390.onlinehome.us/nscalelayoutdrawing.bmp it’s got insulated rail joiners on BOTH rails, something that had me puzzled as when i used to do block wiring only 1 rail would have an insulated rail joiner, leaving the “common” rail free. Does anyone have any recommendations for wiring this layout? I’d really appreciate it and don’t answer if you don’t have the time. Thanks in advance.
dan
Dan,
From what appears in the picture it looks like reversing loops.It’s double insulated to prevent a direct short. Do a search on this web site about reversing loops. you
Glenn
It is possible to do block wiring with either one or both rails insulated.
I would assume that this person blocked both rails for two separate reasons:
First, there are two loops of track–an outer loop and an inner loop, separated by the insulators. Insulating both rails means that a train on the outer track can run in the opposite direction of one on the inner track.
Second, the lines into the center of the layout create a wye–a train entering one leg of the wye can pass through to the end of the siding, throw the switch behind it and back out onto the other leg of the wye, thus reversing its direction. When a layout has a wye or a reversing loop, double insulation (as mentioned above) is required to avoid a direct short.
As far as scenery goes, with a 3x5 foot layout there’s not too much you can do…personally I’m not a big fan of the “mountain in the corner with a tunnel through it” school of scenery, so I’d avoid that in favor of an industrial theme (as suggested by the sharp corners and straight track of the mainline.) I’d put some sort of freight station along the mainline in the middle of the wye, and build an “industrial park” around the spurs on the end of the wye–either one big industry or a couple of small ones. The big open section on the other side would be a good location for a town with a couple of buildings tall enough to create a view block, or another industrial area whose loading/unloading facilities are located at the topmost track of the “industrial park” spurs. You could add a switchback to bring another spur around in that direction but the track plan is already pretty busy as it is…
Not a bad dumpster find, I wish I could score more model railroading goodies that way!!
I once found an HO layout by the side of the road while walking back to my car after a Milwaukee Brewers game. It wasn’t there when I parked the car. My theory is the guy was listening to the Brewers on radio, got enraged by the results, and took out his frustrations on the layout. Model railroaders and Brewers fans really need courses on anger management …
Anyway the layout was too large to take and too far gone to salvage but I did “rescue” a decent enough Atlas bridge which I converted to a flat car load.
Dave “Better Modeling Through Dumpster Diving” Nelson
I agree with Jetrock on the limited possibilities – especially it being level (no grades).
There are two ways to look at this. First would be to work with what is already there. If the track work is well done, the turnouts all work, and the bench work is sound, then you have a creative challenge in front of you.
The second would be to look at it from a salvage standpoint. Can the track and turnouts be extracted intact? If so, then you have material for a new layout.
Is there any chance of posting pictures? I’m sure it would help us to better visualize it (not that your drawing was not helpful – but a picture is worth a thousand words).
Hi, thanks for the responses Glenn, Jetrock, dknelson and MAbruce. Here’s an additional “live” http://s92969390.onlinehome.us/nscalelayout.jpg picture of the layout. An urban/industrialized layout sounds great. I would love to do a packed in little environment like the streets around downtown Chicago where I live. The track all seems to be in good shape with the wires from the switch machines just dangling beneath the layout, but the track may be a little oxidized.
Thanks again,
Dan
Wow - Nice find!
If you want a city scene or industrial you may want to add 2" foam board to some sections. This way the trains would be riding below street level with road bridges over the trackage. The trains would “disappear” in the caverns of the city. Retaining walls would be a prominent feature.
The curve radius looks tight so switchers and geeps would rule the rails.
Thanks! You’re a genius. I noticed you’re in Glenview, I’m in Arlington Hts. The train set was found in Park Ridge near Maine East H.S. Any clubs or anything that you particpate in? How’s your layout and to all others, how are your layouts?
Nasa1,
You ever go to Hills Hobby in Park Ridge? They have used N gauge engines and cars- very reasonable.
My H.O. layout is under construction. It’s an around the walls shelf layout in my basement office.
Also have N, 027, and G out in the yard.
I really like that layout you found - interesting wye section and switching.
Also Hills has got used structures cheap - check em out.
I’m not in any clubs but one does meet at the library in Glenview once a month - I might drop in someday.
Cool, thanks, I know where Hill’s is at, I’ll check it out.
Dan
Wow, it’s hard to believe that someone would throw that out! It looks like a well constructed layout – even it if doesn’t have any grades. [swg]
I’d say you really got lucky with that one! You saved yourself a good deal of money by not having to invest in track and turnouts!
I think that your idea of downtown Chicago (a great city by the way) would work nicely. There is not much I can add to the great advice you have already received.
What you never heard was the the previous owners question when he got home…
“Honey, where’s my layout?..”