Hi, I’m building my first layout in 30 years and my first that is not an HO on a 4x8.
Because of space restrictions it is N scale and a wall mounted shelf type layout. I completed the Basic Benchwork this weekend, and have a loop of unitrack up to get my Running trains Fix. All is well, I plan on adding a 2" foam base, and then using Woodland Scenics Risers etc.
My goal is an Anthracite Region RR based on the Reading. A coal hauler. I want to be able to continously run 2 trains to amuse myself and visitors, but also have switching and real operation when that gets boring. I would like to have the two loops or whatever on two different levels, by that I mean seperated by 1-3 “. In my home area the Reading and Pennsy ran along the creek seperated by about 20-30 vertical feet. The Reading was right along the creek, the Pennsy took the high road. I want two coal mines, a small company town, the feeling of Mine country appalachia style. Tunnels and trestles would be great. The layout height is 50”. I like the Basic loop I have but it’s just a starting point, I’m open to all suggestions. I will be using Unitrack. I was able to have trains running in about 20 minutes, no derailments, I like that. It is basically 10 long by 24" wide, but the far left end cuts down to 22" wide because It has to clear a window. There is a small “L” 15.25" by 24". I also made a small dogbone on the far left to increase the radius to 13 5/8". The max width at that dogbone is 33". I have thought about adding a yard off of the “L” but It needs to be removable because there is a closet door right off the “L”. All dimensions are caused by restraints in the room.
Since it is mine country, and I really don’t know what I’m doing I’m open to a 3% grade to get to the mine spurs. So please fire away. Control will be Cab control with Blocks, Don’t have the $$$ for DCC ri
That sounds like a lot of stuff, even in N, for only 10 feet of shelf, plus a bit. Maybe you want to cut it down to one mine, and one destination industry, with the mountains and town in between.
Having a yard or some other staging for the trains might be useful in terms of setting up the trains to run when you want to “operate” versus just running around the loop.
Your link does not work properly for me - all I get is garbled text. I am using Win 2000, Netscape 7.1, and a high-speed connection… Would be useful to see what you have in mind…
Lastly, DCC is more affordable than you think. By the time you buy all the electronic supplies (switches, wire, 2 or more power packs) and so on, and wire all the blocks into the layout, you will have spent as much as a good starter DCC system like Atlas Commander (made by Lenz) or Digitrax Zephyr. Both these systems can be found in Canada for just over CAN$200, so they must be well under US$200 by now. To get two top quality powerpacks, you are looking at about that anyway (according to MR ads).
Andrew thanks for the feedback. The link works for me Just checked it. Win2000 and IE5.5 As far as DCC I already have (2) MRC TECH II power packs and a better Spectrum Power pack. Bought them all for $15 or less, so I’m set there. None of my engines are currently DCC equipped, though 2-3 are DCC ready need the decoder installed. I will GO DCC later I’m sure. I hope to actually post a photo tonight to go with the diagram.
IE was the fix. Netscape not looking at your picture correctly for some reason.
The bridge is a cool idea across that corner. Just make sure that you can reach (or otherwise obtain access) into that upper right corner - it is a long way from the aisle.
My first thoughts would be to put the mountains and mine to the right, where you can take full advantage to create an awesome setting for the bridge. The town/industrial area can go to the left. That way too, you maintain a bit of access to that window, and you can make the mountains higher without blocking the light.
Keep at it with the paper and pencil, and maybe something will suggest itself to you. Put down the areas needed or even footprints of the buildings you want, and go from there. You might check out the Walthers web site to see what sort of buildings and other structures are available that you could use.
I am thinking of your freight pattern from the mines on down. I think if you position your mine (One big mine may be easier than two small hard to get to mines?) in such a way that your traffic will go from one end to the other of the layout using Masonjar’s ideas as scenery.
You can have a interchange track somewhere with the “summit” between it and your town. This will provide you with more traffic variety such as reefers (your townsfolk gotta eat) and other cars for the needs of your region.
I too run DC on my HO equiptment. I am beginning to consider converting some to DCC and using a DCC power system such as the digitrax from the beginning because the wiring and associated problems probably will become a problem in the future.
If you want to run two trains at once, maybe put in a second loop and passing tracks? A coal region will be in the mountains, so you can blend different track levels into the scenery, and have different spurs at different elevations. But if you want to keep a “once-through” type of design, then it’s going to be real hard to do that in your space with one side of the layout up against the wall.
I agree with Andrew, keep tinkerin’, and look at other layouts , even layouts of different sizes, and you might find a piece of one that would work in yours.
One idea I have for your coal hauling theme is to move the moutain towards the center. Then you can place the mine complex on one side and the receiving industry on the other. This will allow you to place a hidden 2 track staging type yard inbetween the industries. One track for the loaded train and the other for the empty train. Pull the loaded train from the hidden track, past the loader and on to the destination point where the loads can be shoved underground and the empties pulled back to the mine. Wash, rinse, repeat as needed. You could extend the mainline a bit by looping the mountain. The hidden tracks could also be used to complete the loop for continous running.
I’m sold on the Unitrack because I have a fair amount of it. I bought a pile locally from a guy getting out of N Scale, and I bought another group off of Ebay., and then some new stuff at the LHS. I’m also sold on DC for now. I purchased (2) MRC Tech II power packs for under $15 and a Better Spectrum power pack came with the Unitrack. Also while 3 of my 5 engines are DCC ready they need decoders and the other two would need hacks. Keep those cards and letters coming. Thanks, Dave
I used Unitrack on the small layout I’m working on for my son. I’d recommend a layer of foam over your shelf and you can glue the track to that. There’s a recent Model Railroader book that waxes rhapsodic about the Woodlands Scenics foam system, and I intend to try it for my next project after the current layout is more complete.
I wouldn’t get too involved in running two trains at once on a single loop of track. You would need at least three blocks, if not more, to make sure you keep things going right. Given the space, you might be better off working the layout as a diorama of a mine area off a mainline track, with a yard for a coal dump…there’s a book I have at home on Railroading in West Virginia, focusing on coal, that has a lot of good information. I’ll try to remember to post that.
Anyway, don’t get too ambitious. It can get overwhelming. Good luck!
Appalachian Coal Minds & Railroads by Thomas W. Dixon, Jr. TLC Publishing, Inc. Route 4 - Box 154, Lynchburg, VA 24503-9711 (looks like it was published in 1994). ISBN 1-883089-08-5
Basic Scenery for Model Railroaders: The Complete Photo Guide, by Lou Sassi. Model Railroader Books (Kalmbach). (Published 2002). ISBN 0-89024-422-7
The first book basically shows how the coal industry and the railroads inter-related. Lots of good pictures, even ending with the delivery to home and office. Some maps, at least one building with scale drawings for modelling.
The second book has some good ideas on general landscaping. Having tried some plaster shell, I think I’ll do these techniques next. It is true that scenery techniques evolve over time; if you have a shelf-layout, using a lightweight base like foam wouldn’t hurt.
I’ll repeat the idea that you should pick more of a diorama feel, otherwise you’ll crowd too much into a small space. Consider it this way: You get this one looking good, you may find that you can add a module for more interest, later.
Well, when you’re talking small N-scale layouts and a coal-mining theme, you’re talking my language! While in college studying architecture, I constructed a 3.5’ x 5.5’ layout which featured two independent (or linked) mainline loops, a 15-car capacity coal mine, a return loop, a hidden passing siding, seven different bridges, and a large Point-of-Rocks Maryland style junction depot, with a few small industry spurs thrown in. To get to that point, I had to spend the better part of the two months prior to the 6-month co-op assignment, just drafting plan after plan after plan. I came up with many viable options, but fell in love with that one for all its operational potential.
I’ve tried just one pass at a layout according to the dimensions you give (and the photos), and I’ve managed to come up with something that comfortably reflects a scene of Reading low by the stream and Pennsy higher up, with plenty of bridges and tunnels and two coal mines, an area for the mine town and a depot on the lower “Reading” main, plus a return loop which doubles as a staging or fiddle track. The only thing is that it is one long loop, rather than two distinct ones, but this is in keeping with your well-intentioned preference for 13-5/8" radius minimum. I have planned it so that in a couple of locations you can use some really broad radius curves, though I don’t know exactly what UniTrack components to use; mine is only a pencil sketch. Let me try to describe the concept:
Essentially, imagine taking the around-the-perimeter loop that you have, and elevating the front part of it high enough to clear the lower track, i.e. about 2" or 2.5". Then, imagine reaching back and grabbing the lower rear main and tugging it forward, creating a broad convex sweep up into the center foreground. At the same time, you pu***he high front line towards the back, forming a broad concavity. On the right end, I would locate the 27" diameter loop (with its ascending grade) as far forward as possible, so that it has tangen
Avondale Guy, Thanks for the lengthy and well thought out response. While I’m a photographer and work in a visual field, I did miserably at 3D drawing in Tech school and I’m haveing a hard time visualizing some of this. Could you either scan and post your drawing or snail mail it to me and I’ll scan and post it for the good of all.
I’ve definately thought about tunnels on both ends for the purpose of mines, but I thought would they mine and tunnle through the same MT ? But for a model RR it makes sense.
I look forward to hearing more. This weekend I laid down a base of 1" Pink Foam over my roadbed, and also purchased some woodland scenics 3% risers to play with. I’m making some progress. I’ve also been given the go ahead to take up 6’ more of wall space. I need to span a closet, so it will need to be removable, but this gives me 6’ more to get up to the grade.
Thanks to all. I’ll post pics when I start laying track. Dave
There is also a video available on Appalachian Coal Mining and Railroading from Green Frog Productions. And it’s on sale, I see. Only 15 bucks! Check out: