[8D]Hye my modelrailroading friends. I have a [?] for ya, I have bought some graph paper so I can draw this layout I want to build, The layout is in “N” scale so I know that each sq = 1 ft , would I make my measurments the same as the layout?? including the grades also?? My math sucks Hepl[xx(] TrainsRMe1
I would look at some books on plans before getting excited about designing your own, I found it difficult to get grades that weren’t too steep. I’m not sure of the question, “would I make my measurements the same as the layout??” If you maths sucks try using easy maths, 1 foot equals 1 inch?
I really recomend tooking at books with plans to get an idea on what fits where, I would really recommend using using easements. There is an article in MR called “easy easments” it helps reduce the sharp change from straight to curve.
Hope this helps?!
I model in OO gauge and found that the amount of detail (track wise) that you can cram into a 1 inch square on graph paper bears little relation to what will actually fit in real life. My plans for my own layout (now built and 1 year old layout!), varied greatly from what I finished up with. The incline is probably quite a bit steeper than most locos can manage with stock behind.
Regarding inclines, get a length of wood (or other base material) and do a few simple experiments to find just what you can get away with in terms of inclines. If it looks right for the scale you’re working in and the rolling stock doesn’t roll down at alarming speeds, you’ll probably get away with using it. (Others may care to argue of course!)
Ian
Why don’t you try the Atlas track planning software it’s free and you dont have to worry about the math, here is the link.
http://www.atlasrr.com/
goto the left of the page and click on the RTS button
bill
TRM1,
The Atlas RTS software has it’s quirks but I’ve been using it for a couple of years now and it can do some nice things. If you do download it, you may want to go through the tutorial to come up to speed sooner. I didn’t, so it took me longer to get familiar with what the software would and wouldn’t do. It even has N-scale track (Atlas, or course) and building specific templates. Again, a nice little program (~4 MB) - FREE- to try out your ideas on.
Tom
Another vote for the Atlas RTS program. It will print a “bill of materials” listing the track components that you need. And you can use the plan printout scaled to 1" = 1’ to build a 3-D model of your layout (including the benchwork).
http://www.trainweb.org/silversanjuan/Page2/Page2.html
Merry Christmas!