Hi there fellow modellers. My name is Mark and I am new to both N scale and American modeling having previously dabbled in British Narrow Gauge prototypes. I am currently designing a model layout to fit an L shape in the corner of a spare bedroom measuring 9’x8’6" by about 2 feet wide. I’m not modelling any particular prototype but I will be running Chessie System and CSX stock as I like the liveries. The location is to be the Appalachian Coalfields inspired by a chat via e-mail with Will, as I quite like the idea of operating a coal branch - distributing empty coal hoppers and collecting loaded ones. I’ve attached a copy of the trackplan that I’ve drawn so far. It consists of a main line running in a figure of 8 - mostly hidden serving a small yard and staging to represent the rest of the World, and a branch which leaves the main line and winds its way up a valley to serve two tipplers and a truck dump. I have no idea whether this is achievable in N as I have as yet not bought any track, but will do as soon as I get a better idea of what I will need. I would appreciate any critique and suggestions on how it might be improved especially from an operations point of view.
Welcome to the forum and N scale. I am an N-scaler and I haul coal on my RR but, only to get it to my steel mill. I think what you have is a great plan so far, couple of observations though.
The absolute minimum radius for an n-scale curve is 9.75 inches and a train on that curve will not look all that good. If you can get over a 12 inch radius it is much more pleasing to the eye and your rolling stock. Running up your branch line approaching the “Y” from the south, the east side branch heads to a “U” turn and then south to a tipple. That U turn will be VERY hard to put in 24 inches of space. If you use 12 inch radius curves that alone equals 24 inches with no more room for scenery at the back or front of the layout. Even at 9.75 radius you are talking about almost 20" of room needed. That would leave only 2 inches in the front and back of your layout for scenery. Me thinks a bit to small.
Also, I use Peco track and turnouts. A Peco #6 turnout is darn close to 6 inches long. Your tipple on the west branch of the “Y” looks to have good sidings for loading and passing but if you look at how many turnouts you have in the given space I think you will find the number of turnouts you have drawn will not fit. The two track run-around for example will take a foot on either end to lay down the turnouts but you have only allowed 3 total feet for that section. A 1 foot run-around track won’t do much good as it could only hold 1 engine and 1 car or about 3 cars (my measurements from modern diesel era rolling stock). You could use #4 turnouts to save space and maybe you are planning on using older era locos and rolling stock which may work. modern diesels = 6", modern coal car = 4+"
My suggestion would be to decide what era you want to model and purchase a loco or two and some coal cars.
Thanks for your input. I was a bit concerned about the radii. I will have to place an order for some stock to see what I can fit into the space I have. I am building structure kits at the moment so that I know how much space they take up.
How much space they take is usualy printed on the outside, but the main reason for the building stop is that you are building in a very tight area, so much structures need to be truncated or will end up as background models only.
You do not need to buy stock to know what will fit. Add three inches to the minimum radius, multiply that figure by two and you know the minimum width of your layout. Apply e.g. a 12" radius and layout width becomes 2 x 15 = 30". The other way around: layout width is 2 feet or 24 inches. Your minimum radius is 12 - 3 = 9". Very very tight indeed. This also limits the kind of equipment you can use.
An old rule of thumb: multiply the length of your longest car, coach or engine by 3, and you have your minimum radius. Older hoppers and freight cars ( before WW 2) were 35 to 40 feet long. In N-scale 2.6 to 3 inches; the 9" radius will do. But how long were the engines you want to run? And do you want to create an historic model? But making your layout wider (larger radii) will lead to reach-in problems. As Tom said modern coal cars are 4+ and need a way bigger radius, just as the modern Chessie engines(5"); your layout width will become 3 feet.
So I would make a precise drawing of the space you have, with all the obstacles drawn in. In 102 Realistic Trackplans Andy Sperandeo tells you how to do it properly. The concept of your layout is good. Finding a footprint that suits your “dreams or druthers” is the f
