Hello all, thanks for stopping by.
i have been dreaming of a 80’s - 90’s winter donner pass layout for a while now. I have really been feeling the espee bug as of late though. Putting in a little bit of time i came up with a 4x10 design that captures some of my favorite parts of the pass.
3" = per square
The layout is mainly based on NScaleAddicts marinas pass layout. it has no switching or even a surnout to keep cost down. All i want is to have long trains snaking through the mountain scenery.
the scenes featured are the eastern most tunnel as it turns above cold creek canyon.
I was wondering what your thoughts on plan at this point are. This is very rough and needs to be cleaned up alot, i am not very happy with the double tunnel bump aera on the left. that needs a lot of work, sugestions are encouraged as i am not quite sure what to do there.
If all you are going to do is run one train (N scale) through a continuous loop then I don’t see how that will not work. However, if you could somehow vary the curve on one of the long sides it may be a little more visually interesting.
Based on the picture of the track plan I could not distinguish the double main line. by too symmetrical it looks just like a dog bone and that is all…but if that is what you like that is th only important thing. It is only a personal preference.
Bering, if you can do the fancy mountain scenery then go for it. MR mag featured a Canadian RR recently, which was really a simple loop and the scenery was fantastic…Frazier Cayon if I am correct.
It’s quite a simple plan, but it showcases one of the most formidable passes on the SP line, which seems to be the object. Please post pictures as you get going!
One more thing Bering, when you mentioned Donnor Pass I went a little nuts as I recall the area from when I lived in the Bay Area years ago. My, God, the Sierra Nevada around Tahoe is so beautiful. Would love to see pictures as you proceed. And you should be able to run two main lines on DC.
This is true, but if there is no crossover between the two mains then each track can be wired to a separate DC transformer, put the trains on the tracks, and let 'er rip. In fact, and I am not sure that you would need more than one set of feeders connected to each transformer. Even I could wire that layout blindfolded.
Did he say N scale? He’s copying (sort of) an N scale plan, but when I hear 4x something and 18" radius curves I think HO. If it’s N scale, should be fine. HO, 18" radius is going to be too limiting with 80-90’s era equipment.
By “too symmetrical” I think what that person meant is that both sides are pretty much identical curves. Ends, not too much you cna do about that, but to both sides need to have the exact same gentle S curve? Perhaps make one different, or have the whole line run further inboard on the table on one side compared to the other.
If that’s what YOU want, it looks like you have plenty of areas for scenicking. We don’t see many proposed layout plans with no turnouts.
However for less than the price of a DC engine, you can buy a couple of turnouts and have a single crossover or a siding or a spur to a mine. A mine, even if you don’t actively switch it, presents all kinds of visual and creative opportunities.
