Hi, as we couldn’t decide what to do for a father son project layout my wife decided for us (and she does hold the purse strings). She decided on the Burlington Northern in N scale project layout which was published by Kalmbach, I wanted to know if anyone had any experience of building the same project and any problems etc they came across or anything that they did different? As we live a little over 4000 miles away from the actual location research is down to books and the internet.
Shaun
Before you start, I’d check to see if you have the space for the layout? After that , it may be easier to bump the time into more modern times. A lot depends if you can get CB&Q, BN, or BNSF equipment? Also, you may want to check if any of the structure kits are still available? There are some key structures that make the scene fit into the layout. Your bookstore may have some picture books or tour guide books to help you get the flavor of the area.
Hi, and thanks for the reply. As for space the plan calls for a space of 9’x10’ and I have 12’x24’ the first thing I thought about was changing the #6 turnouts to at least a #8 and then broadening the curves. The idea of travel guides is a good idea which I never thought of so many thanks for that one.
Shaun
Anytime you can broaden the mainline curves to 18" or better means that you will be able to run large modern 6axle equipoment. Same goes for the #8 or better turnouts.
You may also have space for a WICT line to serve a few grain silos in the area. The main purpose would be to get coal from barges in the river & ship it to powerplants further East. A set of Atlas 3bay hoppers pulled by a pair of GP’s would fill the bill.
Hi, and thanks again thats just the sort of information I am needing, like I said it’s not like I can just hop in the car and take a ride up to Wisconsin.
Shaun
I’m not familiar with that layout, but I would take the time to draw it out using one of the free layout programs availible. Some of those old Klambach plans can be as much as 25-30% off using modern track/turnouts. It’s a lot easier to find your challenges before you start building. Also, if it is a 9 x 10, does that mean you have to create pop outs and duck-unders to get to your trains or is it U-shaped with easy access to all parts of the layout. Crawling under the layout can be an extreme pain.
I am a former member of the NTrak group that built this project layout for Model Railroader back in 1990. I moved from the Madison, WI area before the group undertook the project, so I have no direct experience with its construction and operation, however I know the members who might still be in the Madison area probably would be happy to share their experiences with you. You might try contacting the people at Model Railroader to see if they could put you in touch with some of the members who participated in the work. Sadly, several of the older people who worked on it, and who I knew personally, have passed on.
As built, it was a duck-under layout. This may present problems for you as you get older and less limber, as I have discovered. If you build it high, e.g., at 48" or more off the floor, it may be easier to access.
Hope this helps,
Bob
To both of you many thanks. I am planing on a minimum height of 48 inches possibly higher by artificially raising the floor except the entrance area so I can walk in with minimum duck under. I will contact MR next week to see if they canput me in contact with ex members of the team.
Shaun