A friend gave me a 3’X4’ piece of benchwork with folding legs that he’d built. I already have an HO layout I’m working on, and I don’t have room to keep this one set up.
My idea is to recreate the original G&D on this benchwork in N scale, and bring it to shows along with our club’s modular HO layout. I have some N scale already, noteably a Bachmann Docksider and Spectrum 2-8-0.
In the book, ‘‘101 Track Plans’’, his layout has been relaxed, and in HO is about 3’ 1/2 X 6’ 1/2.
Would his layout fit my 3X4? - and if not, how much room would I need to add in order to do this?
Admit it, you all want to see this done right and at your local train show!
The HO G&D, the orignal small one, had some really tight curves - for HO. If you build it as close as possible, using the same radii curves as the HO version, it wouldn’t be horribly cramped, and should work out nicely. With the bonus of a lot more scenery space because the track itself wouldn;t take up as much space. You can cut down the vertical clearance, staying well over N scale minimums but lower than the HO requirements, to lessen the grade a bit.
N isn;t half the size of HO, but you’ve got more than 75%. Especially the width.
To be clear, you’re saying that I have about 20% more room than I need?
Also, I like the scenery style that John Allen used. I know it’s due to the techniques he had available to him back then, but I want to copy it as well. Any hints for doing this? (type of paints, procedures, etc.)
If you measure the 101 Trackplans version with a ruler, I think that you’ll find that it’s actually 3’ 9" X 6’ 10" in HO, and that’s with tracks perilously close to the edge of the benchwork. After you fix that, the reasonable N scale dimensions will end up being around 27" X 46", so in the most basic calculation, yes, it will fit.
Note that the 101 Trackplans minimum HO radius of 15" will translate to 8.16", so that’s pretty tight. You will be able to ease that slightly in 3’X4’. Grades are pretty stiff, and with the tight curves, you may find it a challenge for either of your engines to pull a decent train through those curves with the grades. (The Docksider might be too light and the 2-8-0 may struggle a bit with the radius).
Many 101 Trackplans layouts are very steeply graded and do not allow enough length for a decent vertical easement. I would definitely want to work out the grade, mock it up with the radius, and see how your equipment performs before investing the time in the construction.
Note also that the turnouts shown in the 101 Trackplans version are true #4s (with the expectation that they would be handlaid-to-fit), so the Atlas Code 80 “#4s” (actually #4 1/2) may not fit without some fudging. PECO Code 55 “Short” turnouts are very compact and might be a good alternative.
First question: Will the original G&D track plan fit? Answer - yes.
Then, are you willing to operate it the way John Allen did? That dockside climbed the grade with two of John’s scratchbuilt (of wood) short drop-bottom gondolas that probably WEREN’T weighted to NMRA standard. The bobber caboose stayed at the bottom of the hill.
I wouldn’t copy anyone’s earlier work - but that’s me.
Aside to Ulrich. Named in honor of the Mongolian Yokozuna Hakuho, I presume. (Just one more month 'til the Autumn Bassho.…)
