Hi everyone. Even though this is my first post here I have been reading and researching on the forum since March 2012. Thanks to everyone who has asked a question for me and everyone who has provided the answers I was looking for. A little back ground first, I buildt my first layout in the 70’s, HO on 4X8. Then I tried N on a bench work 2X10. Now I’ve finally settled down and have built a 12X16 Shed just for my retirement project in N-scale. I starting building the shed in Feb 2012 and have gotten what I consider pretty far. I’ve enclosed a few photos of the building and track plan and I’ll add more later to bring you up to date. But for now it’s a start.
I’m doing this based on the midwest somewhere and around 1900 - 1930 steam. I’m running Digitrax Empire Builder and Tortoise switch machines. The lower left of the plan is a farm and the lower right is a logging camp. Up at the top is a coal mine ( or maybe iron ore). The town will have the station, coal and water tower, and the usual buisnesses you would find in small towns during that era. The bench work is pink because Lowes had a sale on 2X4’s, yes I’ve had lots of laughs from people about them. I’ve only got 1 engine, 4-6-0 so far and 7 cars. The bridge I scratch built from balsa. Hope you guys like it
Jerry, welcome aboard. Nice shed, AC and all. I would have done an outswinging door, but I guess it’s not bad swinging against the workbench.
Decent trackplan for starters, I would lighten up those “S” bends @ the tunnel. Rearrange the approach and angle the portals if nec. The isles seem a bit narrow @ about 18". Don’t know if you want to narrow and shorten the peninsula to get isles at least 24-26". Be better even wider so 2 people could at least squeeze past each other and not be trapped. An industrial area near the lake w/ much more switching and even a bit of some tricky switching makes for some fun in set outs and pick ups. Could also place another yard to run point to point. I would bring the main yard closer to the main rather than winding into it . A lead and long drill track could follow out and around the bend and not interfere w/ the passing/ station track. Looks good so far though. Keep us posted on your progress.
