As I’ve stated in previous posts, I’m just getting into the hobby with N scale and (Digitrax) DCC. I’m finding it difficult to start it off.
The plan is to eventually fill the garage, after I get it rewired, insulated and drywalled. The goal is to automate it as much as possible so as to be able to run routes via iTrain, do my own switching in the switching yard - controlled solely via throttle - or just let the trains run while I’m at the workbench.
I know to take it in small chunks, 4’, 6’ or 8’ modules one at a time but again, don’t know where to start with the first module as far as layout or what to include. I can’t even decide on 24” or 30” deep or L-girder or Open-Frame. The first couple modules I plan to use to learn wiring, switch control, basics of DCC, etc. and expand/experiment as I go, but I at least have terrain experience from wargames.
Attached is a picture of tentative plans, AnyRail file available upon request if they can be sent in messages…
Sorry for the long post, but any and all suggestions/feedback welcome.
That is quite a layout, and it is understandable that you are a bit at a loss on where to start. I would begin at a key section that is against a boundary (wall or corner) that will let you start some form of operating as soon as practical. Being able to run some trains early on always helps with motivation and testing out your wiring and track laying skills. A few questions for you:
- Is you layout going to be along the wall or will you have acess to all sides? I see track work on both sides of the benchwork in the image above.
- If it will be walk around, are you planning to have backdrops?
The nice thing about N scale is that you don’t need deep benchwork to create large scenes. In general, 24 inches should be plenty to create a deep scene for most cases, minus yards or large scenic elements. The smaller your reach, the better. As for L girder vs open frame, it depends on what kind of scenery you want to include. L girder works great when you want vertical relief below the tracks, open grid works fine in tue case of large flat areas such as yards and towns. You can mix and match depending on what the topography on that portion of the layout is going to be.
I too am working on my first dcc N scale layout (though much smaller and more manually operated than yours) and would be happy to trade notes with you and share some learnings. I am sure other N scalers on the forum will happily share experiences as well. 
I agree,24" is more than enough for great scenery,i started and using 8’x2’ modules with other sizes as needed.
24"" deep
Thanks for the reply. The outer perimeter is the walls of the garage, the outer edges will be against the walls. I do intend to have backdrops eventually.
Of course nothing is even close to settled yet, but initially I have double tracks running around the front and back (near the walls) of each section to maximize run time for when I just let them run, and also to minimize the appearance of looping.
The current plan is to have the first module be near the upper left corner. Or maybe in the corner… Maybe that’s the way to go, that way for the second module I can either extend it ‘south’ or make the first corner “L”.
Heh, you’re helping already! 
Man, that’s one of the best, most realistic rivers I’ve seen!
what type of layout are you interested in?
what layouts that you’ve seen are most interesting to you?
what did you like/dislike about them?i
something with a lot switching or a lot of mainline running trains from staging thru a yard to other staging.
Eventually, when I get all modules made, I want it all…
Seriously, though, like I posted, I want long “set it and forget it” runs and the option to do yard switching and routing the appropriate types of cars to the appropriate industry.
After starting this thread this morning, I think I’m zeroing in on a 4’x8’ “L”, 24” deep on each ‘arm’, rounded back corner - the upper left corner of my original layout pic. Probably at least a loop (fully willing to remove the end loops as I add modules) and lines dead-ending on each end prepared to extend to the next modules.
The main question remains…what to include on the first module? A small town with a couple industries, basically treating it like a standalone layout, I suppose. Heh, I just answered my own question while typing that.
Still no idea what I want to do with elevations though. I guess I’ll keep looking at others’ layouts for inspiration on that…
Gidday Brian, I suspect that layout analysis paralysis is fairly common, so, at least you can take some comfort from that.
So, where do you start, well you start at the very beginning! 
Just remember that once started that you may have to make changes, this again is common and the thought of this possibility should not be used as an excuse for further procrastination!
As far as width goes, the Clubs HO scale modules were 2 foot wide, not only for reach and portability but also the best use of an 8’ x 4’ sheet of ply or MDF
.
I have noticed that with the revival of the Forum, that there seems to be a lot more talented N Gaugers around who will give you more specific advice.
Most importantly, Have Fun.
Cheers, the prize procrastinator Bear. 
PS. Progress photos would be most welcome.
I meant to add my “wish list” this morning but it was on my phone and I was posting from iPad:
Mountain(s)
Hills
Lake/shore - possibly a seaside town and/or harbor - Shipping/boats
River
Ravine/bridge
Forest
Town
City
Roads
Rail yard
Industrial
Coal mine → power plant (hoppers)
Quarry → Cement plant
Cold Storage/ice house (refer cars)
Gas/oil Industry (tankers)
Saw Mill → Lumber Co → Furniture Co & Paper Mill → printers (log cars, center spine, box cars)
UPS, general industrial/warehousing (box cars)
Intermodal yard (well cars)
*Ranch → stock yard → Meat Packing (stock cars, refer cars)
*Farm → Grain Mill, Feed Mill, Flour Mill, Dairy (covered hoppers, tankers)
*either off-layout or represented by a small section and/or background
Mine is 1x4" frame with 1/2" plywood then 2" pink rigid foam. What im modeling is fairly flat terrain so i get away with the foam for the river etc. When i modeled BNSF thru the Columbia river valley i did 1x4 frame 1/2" plywood cookie cut with risers for the more mountainous area.
That’s pretty much what I’m leaning toward using, but more of the track cutouts.
This sounds like a great place to start. A small town with a small yard so you can start operating and build skills through trial and error. By building modules, trunbacks to create continuous running portions wouldn’t be too hard to construct ornremove in the future.
As for elevations, maybe build a module for the town as an open gride with the next one incorporating L girder construction for maybe a canyon or lakeshore scene. Try your hand at both. Looking forward to seeing progress!
Progress will be slow. I need to get the garage rewired, insulated and drywalled, though I can start on the module before that.
Though I’ve been working on a large - 5’x9’ Keep on the Borderlands in 28mm (for any old school D&D players out there) - off and on for years. I’m trying to get it to a place where I’m comfortable putting it back in storage. Almost there!
I’ve been accumulating some train items, a Kato starter train, the DCC starter set, some Peco track, cork roadbed and 3D printing miscellaneous things for scenery.
To JaBear: There is an HO club? Is that something I could join? As a beginner, I’m not getting far, and could use some help and encouragement.
Of course there are a lot of clubs in Phoenix. I just tried the internet. What I am going to try to find is one where someone is willing to help an old lady start from scratch, given my simple layout, and has the patience to tell me step by step what to do. I’ll do it, not asking them, but I’m just totally confused as to what I’m doing.
Gidday Elaine, while I have done some foolish things during my life, I would never be so stupid as to underestimate an “Old Lady”!
While there is good advice often given on the Forum, and there is good “how to” videos on YouTube, I suspect that you, like me, actually likes to see, touch and talk face to face, so as to learn.
So, your idea of contacting a local club is a good one, and while Phoenix is larger than I initially thought, there seems to be a reasonable number of model railroading clubs, one of which may suit you.
You probably have seen this link…
https://www.azdiv-nmra.org/index.php/arizona-railroad-information/arizona-model-railroad-clubs
And here’s a link to Free-mo. Org.
Good Luck, Have Fun,
Cheers, the Bear.
Do your backdrop structures when you build the benchwork. It’s a pain afterward unless you plan on fairly narrow modules. I like the modular idea and if I ever build another railroad, that will be my method. Live and learn. I did a presentation on layout design considerations (one of many out there), and would be happy to share it if you’re interested. have fun!
dan
Of course we’re interested!
I just bought my first n scale train set. and I want to get more track but also more rolling stock. what should I get first
I would stick with getting more track first then getting rolling stock as you go (start with railcars then locomotives so the ratio would be 10 railcars for every locomotive or so, basically 10:1) all up to you vic