If you want to email me (click the link provided by this forum) I might be interested in developing a track plan for you. I just need to know what your interests lean towards. I’ve done a lot of small N-scale plans in my time, most of them back while I was in college and was forced to go that route myself; I ended up with a very compact yet versatile 3.5’ x 5.5’ layout which incorporated a whole host of goodies. A 4’ x 4’ L-shape is tight, but could be very interesting too. I would also need to know your level of modelling proficiency.
As for my design proficiency, I am an architect, a profession I chose because of my long obsession with layout design.
My suggestion would be to go narrow gauge in N scale. Basically it is summed up with ore cars and tank cars and log cars that are short I would suggest ore though (atlas makes them…they are relatively cheap (25’ 70-ton). Keep engines that are small too. Usually like a 0-6-0 at biggest. Then tack down the track at differences in sharpness of turns. Find the sharpest turns you can make while keeping the train on the track and go with that. The sharpest turns you can afford the better as it leaves more room for scenery. Also something to be considered is how high can you go up? Somtimes it might be wise in such a small place to have a train or a couple working up a mountain. This will fully utilize your small space. Best of Luck
A 2x4 foot section could be a N trak module. Ntrak publisbhes several good track planning guides. The 2x4 section could be your connection between Ntrak and your layout. This would be a good place to create a junction between 2 rr or a branch with the mainline. It could contain a small yard, an engine facility, and perhaps an industry or two.
The 4x4 section could be your mainline running from the junction through A to D. Try to see if you can do a wye back to the junction. Or you could find a trackplan for two 2X4 sections connected back to back. This way, you get 3 2x4 sections to build. 2 sections represent the 4 corners of a standard loop layout. when you get more space, 2 new 2x4 sections could be inserted, making a larger 4x8 loop. Lifelike uses a layout like this to show off their N scale models at train shows. Hope this gives you some good ideas. Have fun Nscaling, and if you have a chance, go Ntraking!
Hello Avondaleguy, I’m looking for help developing a yard scene on a section of benchwork 8’ long by 16" wide. I’d like about 8-10 sections of track, like a track ladder, but in 2 sections so 2 engines could switch cars at the same time, I’ll be using a Lenz Set 90 for layout control and the benchwork leading into the yard is 5.5 ft long by 10" wide. Contact me for more info. Thanks, Bob
Alright, I’m 15 years old, live in Vermont, not much around for hobby shops in my area (Burlington / South Burlington… biggest Vermont Cities, and there are no hobbyshops in my scale…N…) I went to the local hardware store and got some ‘leftovers’. I managed to get a 2x4 piece of quarter inch plywood, all square edges and no problems with the board itself. I then bought some 2x3 pine boards to support the bottom of the plywood. We (Grandpa and I) had also found some nails for his nailgun (Yes, we used a nailgun to secure the track. The nails were roughly the size of standard HO/N track nails, and thank god one of his nailguns is small enough.). The total cost was under 15 dollars! My track plan consists of an oval (10.5 inch radius with one inch clearance on all sides) with a left hand turnout on the operators side. Off this turnout is a right hand curved turnout, that allows me to have a ‘team track’ between the mainline, and the newly acquired yard. The ‘main’ side of the second turnout allows me to switch/setout cars. When I get back to the US, if you like I can draw up this track plan for you. I’d be happy to do this.
Note: I forgot to add one thing in about the layout. There is a third turnout. It is located right before you enter one of the turns. This is so that I can continue adding ‘modules’ to this layout. I plan on adding 2 more modules, another 2x4 module, and then a 2x4 module to the end of the second one, making it into an L shape.
well dboy58 and son i can tell you this on the size of a layout you can do a point to point if it is your frist one you would get the feel of things with it and you can later add to it as space opens up i been in the hobby for 17 years now and don both ho and n scale i statred with a 3 x 3 n scale layout point to point and now it is 24 x 30 and growing i found with the years new pepole getting itnto the hobby and building a big layout from the start and befor it is finshed they trash it or sell it off just start small and you can get into all the other things that make this a great hobby their is more to a layout than a track plan you have to see the whole thing the weatherd cars the buildings and all the landscaping with a small layout you can do all of it and get the feel for it for when you do add on or build your dream layout here is a web site from other modlers it is www.the-gauge.com