So this is my first real n-scale layout. I am one who likes to “watch the trains”, I’m not a proto wanna be or any of that. I do like some level of realism but I’m not even attempting for it to look real “overall”. I was planning to allow some semi-closeup shots to convey realism, but as you’d pan out and begin to see the entire layout, it does lose the “realism” factor. My real goal here was to apply several different techniques as I’m new to the “game”. I’ve used a number of different mediums (foam, plywood, masonite, etc). I’ve not begun the real landscaping just yet.
I also plan to add a couple more industries (at least two more), a minor “city strip” and a train station.
I’ve got 3 points where I plan to have the layout attach to a shelf and go across the room to another 4 x 8 layout I have yet to design (and won’t until this one is done, so potentially never LOL).
It is “very busy” and is DC only, I can control 4 trains, 1 with 14 cars, 1 with 6 cars, another with 5 and a trolly. I’ve got several isolated blocks but haven’t attempted to document those via XTrkCad. Although now that I’ve gotten some hang to it, so far xtrkcad has been really great to use and help with the design of my layout. If I can get my screen shot to work, then I’ll post some other photos with the control panel, wireing, etc. For being a “newb” so far I felt as though I’ve done “well” so be gentle
It is all atlas snap-track or flex track, all but two are #4 turn outs, the 2 in the lower left are #6. I widedend the mainline corners in hopes to allow 6 axel
You seem like an intelligent guy and as such I can tell you two things. This layout will take you a long time to build and cost you a lot of money. While you are building it you will outgrow it and get bored with it.
You can get all the things you want out of the layout now, and plan for how you might grow with it in the future. The planning stage is the time to work those things out. Believe that this is possible and make it happen. It is tempting to say you dont’ want any of that to avoid doing the work to expand on your tastes, but this particular design has no where to go.
Sorry to put it so bluntly. Expand your vision. If you have not done so, read the beginner’s guide below.
I agree with SpaceMouse. You have cleverly designed a lot of track into a relatively small space… essentially creating what’s called a “spaghetti-bowl” effect. I too like to watch trains go around, but when designing my N-scale layout I asked myself “how do I like watching them go around?” I realized that I like watching them within a realistic setting (ie. traversing through scenery). Your layout design utilizes space efficiently for getting the most track per square foot possible, but it does not leave enough room between tracks to develop any realistic or convincing scenery. This creates a situation in which your nice trains will be circling around and have no place to be while doing it.
I would suggest “linearizing” it to get a more “point-A-to-point-B” experience out of it and seriously considering some industry and operations potential so that you could have a passenger train slowly circling the layout while you run a local freight that has to do it chores and clear the main before the passenger comes around each time etc. This would introduce some operations just to stave off the boredom that a small layout inevitably brings (speaking from multiple experiences).
I think I have redesigned my current layout plan 20 some-odd times to make it more focussed to what I want now AND in the future.
SpaceMouse’s link suggested is actually very good, and also the Layout Design Special Intrest Group’s website is great as well.
Also, Consider DCC… you’ll never go back (plus wiring is significantly easier!!).
Have fun… you’ll know when your design feels right for you to consider building it. If you have any nagging thoughts at all, then something isn’t right somewhere.
I agree with both the replies you’ve had so far and would like to add another point.To be interesting,I believe a track plan has to have a purpose,meaning that trains don’t run around only for the sake of running around and filling landscape,as already mentioned.Looking at your initial plan,it is obvious to me that you didn’t pay any attention at the inclines that would be required to allow your trains to cross eachother’s path.With the needed clearance between levels and the very sharp curves you have drawn,you won’t be able to run realistically looking trains as most of the loco’s pulling power will be used to overcome the combined resistances so very little will be left for actually pulling cars in realistic numbers.
I did basically the same thing you’re thinking of way back in 1976 when I was stationed in Germany. Believe me and the others when we say that a track plan like this will get very boring very quick and you’ll wish you hadn’t done it. Half the amount of track you have would be more than enough, and you need areas where hills or buildings can partially block your view to add more interest than just watching trains run around and around.
Since I was only in Germany for 3 years with the U.S. Army and had to tear everything out, it was no big loss but I did learn to never build a layout like that again.
I appreciate the comments, well some of them /snicker. Chip, I read the guide, has lots of good info, I read it shortly after I put down my main line loop (at the time I had no switches, just a bunch of flex track and a 20 year old engine). The layout offers everything I wanted, I’m not sure how I’ve not met my vision as you put it. So you know, lack of realism was my given, my druthers was track saturation, this was decided before I purchased my first switch (well maybe my second switch ).
The layout is and has been done now for about 2 months (no scenery yet), total cost with all parts is right around 400.00. This includes all engines (6), rolling stock (30ish), track, etc. I already had 3 transformers, 1 engine, and maybe 10 rolling stock, and the table so I didn’t include those costs, keep in mind there is more flex track than what I was able to show in the XTrkCad application. 400.00 is cheap if I look at a lot of layouts here. I’d go so far to say that 400.00 will hardly allow me to implement DCC for my layout and engines. Let alone if I were to use torts and any of those other “fancy” items folks seem to love so much. It took about 3 months give or take to build it all to where it is today. I’m not saying there aren’t things I wouldn’t change but the layout isn’t one of them, I regret my grades but I’ll put that in the lessoned learned bucket :). They layout has 4.7% grades however since they are on corners in reality it is probably closer to 6+%, but this is within my tolerance. I’m still able to pull up 16 cars with a helper engine (adding yet another thing “to do”).
The other point that in my mind I’ve met, the ability to have several “close-up” realistic looking camera shots. If you pan out to the entire layout it is far from being “realistic” however if you were to zoom in on a section of track(s) (breaking the layout into
On the contrary, I think that the majority of the people here like to watch trains, just not on the type of layout you built. I like watching trains, but I would rather have one or two really dramatic views than, have multiple trains running around in loops.
I’d rather create variety by runing several different trains via staging.
Ceratnly, I like to set trains in motion kick back and watch.
