Hi
Im looking for ideas for my layout using DCC control in “N” gauge… the size of my base is 10ft X 2ft 6" X 18 falling away to 9" at the front of the as i have constructed a sloping top to cover it to protect from dust etc …
the main idea being to have two levels using scenery to integrate the upper level bringing it down to the base … one question as well how to have gradual gradients to prevent wheel slippage on the loco’s.
Any help on where to find sites dedicated to “N” gauge would be bgratefully recieved as here in the U.K. there is a shortage of material covering the subject in magazines on the newstands … bar Model Railroader Magazine.
Many thanks in advance
Hi iomtt,
Welcome to the forum!
You raise some good questions.
There aren’t a lot of plans that are specifically N scale, most are drawn to HO because that’s the most popular scale. That’s not too much of a problem though as N scale is close to half HO, so just cut the measurements in half and adjust the track centers. This works for all things except grades (length & height), turnout degrees, and curve radius. An 18 inch curve in HO or N both take 36 inches to go 180 degrees. A #6 turnout in N scale departs at the same angle a #6 turnout in HO does. A grade is a grade, it knows no scale difference. The advantage we have in N scale is that the height of our trains is roughly half of HO, so we don’t have to go as high to do a loop and clear the bottom track.
Here’s some figures to play with.
A 2% grade (recommended max) requires 16 feet to raise 4 inches.
A 3% grade requires 12 feet to raise 4.5 inches.
A 4% grade (absolute max except in extreme circumstances) requires 8 feet to raise 4 inches.
Now keep in mind, you’ll need transitions at the tops and bottoms of the grades, so the whole grade, from level track to level track will be somewhat longer then these measurements. I know, it’s disheartening, huh? How about some good news? OK, the grade doesn’t have to be straight. You can curve it around a bit. Now for some more bad news. If you curve it around it causes drag on the wheels of the train which makes the grade seem tougher to the train.
Now lets play with a helix. A helix is nothing more then a spiral or corkscrew of track used to raise a train from one level to the next.
OK, using a 2% grade as the base, with a separation of 2.5 inches from railtop to railtop, your curve radius is a 20 inch radius.
For a 2.5% grade your curve would be 16.30.
For a 3% grade your curve would be 13.8.
For a 3.6% grade your curve would be 11.30.
iomtt,
Try these links:
http://www.naisp.net/mfischer/m_train2.htm
Hopefully that will give you some ideas…
Tom
Hi guys
many thanks for the information …it has solved some questions and provided solutions now maybe i can get on with the layout …just need to get way from the pc … [;)]